9 research outputs found
Independent variation in copper tolerance and copper accumulation among crop species and varieties
No full textCopper (Cu) locally contaminates soils and might negatively affect growth and yield of crops. A better understanding of plant copper tolerance and accumulation is needed in order to breed more Cu-tolerant or Cu-efficient crops. Cu tolerance was evaluated in different varieties of seven species (Brassica carinata, B. juncea, B. napus, Cynara cardunculus, Helianthus annuus, Nicotiana tabacum and Raphanus sativus) exposed to a series of CuSO4 concentrations (0.1–8 μM CuSO4) in the nutrient solution. Plants were further exposed to 0.1 μM CuSO4 and to their variety-specific concentrations that reduced root growth to 50% of the maximum rate (EC50). Among all the varieties of all the species the EC50 varied from 0.7 up to 3.1 μM Cu. B. carinata was significantly more Cu-sensitive than the other species, which were not significantly different among each other, and B. carinata and H. annuus accommodated significant intra-specific, inter-varietal variation. There were significant differences between species in Cu uptake efficiency and nutrient status. When under EC50 exposure, all the Brassicaceae, except B. carinata, maintained low Cu concentrations in shoots, whereas the other species and B. carinata exhibited significantly increased shoot Cu concentrations, compared to the control. There was no apparent relationship between Cu tolerance and Cu accumulation in roots and shoots, suggesting that the observed variation in tolerance, both between and within species, is not explained by differential exclusion capacity. Discriminant analysis and treatment comparisons suggest possible contribution of lignin, saturated fatty acids, manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in tolerance to high Cu concentrations in shoot.</p
The effect of nitrogen and boron fertilization on the phenolic profile of olive (Olea europaea L.) vegetative organs and its antifungal effect on Verticillium dahliae Kleb.
No full textMaslina je voćna vrsta prirodno raširena na području Mediterana, a na području Republike Hrvatske zastupljen je i opisan značajan broj sorata ove gospodarski značajne kulture. Pravilna gnojidba masline neophodna je u proizvodnji visoko kvalitetnih maslinovih ulja. Gnojidba dušikom (N) i borom (B) može imati pozitivan ili negativan utjecaj na maslinu i okoliš. Navedeni makro- i mikroelementi mogu različito utjecati na razvoj masline i metaboličke promijene na njezinim vegetativnim organima. Nadalje, gnojidba N i B može utjecati na tolerantnost masline prema različitim štetnim organizmima. Fenolni spojevi sudjeluju u obrambenom odgovoru masline, a mogu značajno doprinijeti tolerantnosti na verticilijsko venuće masline (Verticillium dahliae Kleb). Stoga, cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi utjecaj primjene različitih molarnih koncentracija N i B na koncentraciju fenolnih spojeva (mg/100 g ST) u vegetativnim organima (korijen, izbojak, list) masline kako bi se ispitao učinak ekstrakata fenola na izolat V. dahliae V-263 u uvjetima in vitro. Kako bi se utvrdio utjecaj gnojidbe N i B na rast i razvoj masline, utvrđena su vegetativna svojstva izbojka (duljina izbojka, broj internodija, broj listova) i korijena (duljina, volumen, površina i promjer korijena) masline. S ciljem određivanja koncentracije N (g/kg ST) i B (mg/kg ST) te koncentracije fenola (mg/100 g ST) masline analizirani su uzorci korijena, izbojka i lista. Nadalje, protugljivični učinak ekstrakata fenola masline (korijen, izbojak, list), prethodno modificiranih primjenom gnojidbenih tretmana s N ili B, istražen je u uvjetima in vitro. Primjena gnojidbenih tretmana značajno je utjecala na vegetativna svojstva masline. Primjena viših molarnih koncentracija N i B pozitivno je utjecala na njihovo usvajanje korijenom te daljnju translokaciju u ostale vegetativne organe masline. Primjena gnojidbenih tretmana s N i B različito je utjecala na koncentraciju pojedinačnih fenolnih spojeva (mg/100 g ST), utvrđenih u vegetativnim organima masline. Ekstrakti fenola vegetativnih organa masline imali su različit inhibitorni učinak na klijavost konidija, porast i morfološka obilježja micelija V. dahliae V-263 u uvjetima in vitro.Olive (Olea europaea L.) has great cultural and economic importance in the Mediterranean basin. Olive oil production is an important source of revenue for many countries in the region and contributes to the growth of their economies. The production of olives and olive oil depends on numerous factors, including the correct application of nutrients. When it comes to olive production and the environment, the type of fertilization used can make a significant difference. Nitrogen (N) and boron (B) fertilization, in particular, can have varying effects on olive production.
Fertilization can greatly impact olive growth, nutrient uptake and distribution, phenolic content in olive, and olive tolerance to phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb. This study aimed to investigate the effects of N and B fertilization on their content in various parts of olive, including the roots, stem, and leaves. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of these nutrients on olive growth traits. This study also examined the effect of N and B fertilization on the phenolic content (root, stem, leaves) and the antifungal activity of phenolic extracts on V. dahliae V-263.
Fertilization experiments were conducted separately for N (experiment 1) and B (experiment 2). Seven different treatments were adopted in each experiment, representing seven molar concentrations of either N or B. The control treatments were N0 and B0. The study was conducted on one-year-old plantlets of the Istarska bjelica cultivar, which were grown in an inert substrate under controlled conditions. Measurements were taken periodically, including air temperature, substrate moisture, substrate pH, and olive growth traits. At the end of the experiment, samples of roots, stems, and leaves were collected and prepared for further analysis. The growth traits of olive roots were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Chemical analyses were conducted to evaluate the content of N (g/kg dry weight (DW)) or B (mg/kg DW), total and individual phenolic compounds (mg/100 g DW) in roots, stems, and leaves. In vitro antifungal activity of phenolic extracts, obtained from fertilization treatments with N or B, was assessed against V. dahliae V-263 (experiment 3 a,b; experiment 4).
The growth traits of olive were positively affected by the applied N fertilization treatments (N1 – N6), resulting in a greater root and shoot growth compared to the growth resulting from control treatment N0. The uptake and translocation of N from roots to stem and leaves were significantly affected by the application of different N fertilization treatments (N0 – N6).
The lowest content of N (g/kg DW) in olive (root, stem, leaves) was found in the control fertilization treatment N0. The content of total and individual phenolic compounds was negatively affected by the applied fertilization treatments (N4 – N6). This study reports the antifungal activity of phenolic extracts (EF), EF-N0 – EF-N6, (root, stem, leaves) modified by N fertilization treatments (N0 – N6). The application of phenolic extracts (treatments EF-N0 – EF-N6) on V. dahliae V-263 had no inhibitory effect on the conidial germination, therefore showing lack of antifungal activity.
The application of higher molar concentrations of B (fertilization treatments B3 – B6) positively affected olive growth traits when compared to the control fertilization treatment B0. The lowest content of B (mg/kg DW) was observed in the control fertilization treatment B0 of all investigated parts of olive. The applied fertilization treatments B1 – B6 had varying effects on the content of total and individual phenolic compounds (mg/100 g DW) in the different parts of olive. The results of this study demonstrated that the phenolic extracts of roots and leaves had a significant antifungal effect on V. dahliae V-263. Specifically, phenolic extracts of roots (treatments EF-B0, EF-B3, and EF-B4), as well as phenolic extracts of stems (treatment EF-B2), significantly inhibited the conidial germination of V. dahliae V-263 therefore exhibiting antifungal effect. Additionally, significant inhibitory and antifungal effects were observed on the mycelium growth of V. dahliae V-263 when phenolic extracts from olive roots (treatments EF-B0 – EF-B6) and leaves (treatments EF-B0, EF-B2 – B5) were applied. The applied phenolic extracts (treatments EF-B0 – EF-B6) had different effects on the morphological characteristics of V. dahliae V-263 mycelium in vitro.
The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the complex interaction between nutrient fertilization, phenolic compounds, and the relation between modified phenolic extracts and V. dahliae V-263 conidial germination and mycelium growth. Further studies are required to identify the effect of N or B fertilization on the content of phenolic compounds in the olive tree and their role in olive tolerance to V. dahliae V-263
The effect of nitrogen and boron fertilization on the phenolic profile of olive (Olea europaea L.) vegetative organs and its antifungal effect on Verticillium dahliae Kleb.
No full textMaslina je voćna vrsta prirodno raširena na području Mediterana, a na području Republike Hrvatske zastupljen je i opisan značajan broj sorata ove gospodarski značajne kulture. Pravilna gnojidba masline neophodna je u proizvodnji visoko kvalitetnih maslinovih ulja. Gnojidba dušikom (N) i borom (B) može imati pozitivan ili negativan utjecaj na maslinu i okoliš. Navedeni makro- i mikroelementi mogu različito utjecati na razvoj masline i metaboličke promijene na njezinim vegetativnim organima. Nadalje, gnojidba N i B može utjecati na tolerantnost masline prema različitim štetnim organizmima. Fenolni spojevi sudjeluju u obrambenom odgovoru masline, a mogu značajno doprinijeti tolerantnosti na verticilijsko venuće masline (Verticillium dahliae Kleb). Stoga, cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi utjecaj primjene različitih molarnih koncentracija N i B na koncentraciju fenolnih spojeva (mg/100 g ST) u vegetativnim organima (korijen, izbojak, list) masline kako bi se ispitao učinak ekstrakata fenola na izolat V. dahliae V-263 u uvjetima in vitro. Kako bi se utvrdio utjecaj gnojidbe N i B na rast i razvoj masline, utvrđena su vegetativna svojstva izbojka (duljina izbojka, broj internodija, broj listova) i korijena (duljina, volumen, površina i promjer korijena) masline. S ciljem određivanja koncentracije N (g/kg ST) i B (mg/kg ST) te koncentracije fenola (mg/100 g ST) masline analizirani su uzorci korijena, izbojka i lista. Nadalje, protugljivični učinak ekstrakata fenola masline (korijen, izbojak, list), prethodno modificiranih primjenom gnojidbenih tretmana s N ili B, istražen je u uvjetima in vitro. Primjena gnojidbenih tretmana značajno je utjecala na vegetativna svojstva masline. Primjena viših molarnih koncentracija N i B pozitivno je utjecala na njihovo usvajanje korijenom te daljnju translokaciju u ostale vegetativne organe masline. Primjena gnojidbenih tretmana s N i B različito je utjecala na koncentraciju pojedinačnih fenolnih spojeva (mg/100 g ST), utvrđenih u vegetativnim organima masline. Ekstrakti fenola vegetativnih organa masline imali su različit inhibitorni učinak na klijavost konidija, porast i morfološka obilježja micelija V. dahliae V-263 u uvjetima in vitro.Olive (Olea europaea L.) has great cultural and economic importance in the Mediterranean basin. Olive oil production is an important source of revenue for many countries in the region and contributes to the growth of their economies. The production of olives and olive oil depends on numerous factors, including the correct application of nutrients. When it comes to olive production and the environment, the type of fertilization used can make a significant difference. Nitrogen (N) and boron (B) fertilization, in particular, can have varying effects on olive production.
Fertilization can greatly impact olive growth, nutrient uptake and distribution, phenolic content in olive, and olive tolerance to phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb. This study aimed to investigate the effects of N and B fertilization on their content in various parts of olive, including the roots, stem, and leaves. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of these nutrients on olive growth traits. This study also examined the effect of N and B fertilization on the phenolic content (root, stem, leaves) and the antifungal activity of phenolic extracts on V. dahliae V-263.
Fertilization experiments were conducted separately for N (experiment 1) and B (experiment 2). Seven different treatments were adopted in each experiment, representing seven molar concentrations of either N or B. The control treatments were N0 and B0. The study was conducted on one-year-old plantlets of the Istarska bjelica cultivar, which were grown in an inert substrate under controlled conditions. Measurements were taken periodically, including air temperature, substrate moisture, substrate pH, and olive growth traits. At the end of the experiment, samples of roots, stems, and leaves were collected and prepared for further analysis. The growth traits of olive roots were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Chemical analyses were conducted to evaluate the content of N (g/kg dry weight (DW)) or B (mg/kg DW), total and individual phenolic compounds (mg/100 g DW) in roots, stems, and leaves. In vitro antifungal activity of phenolic extracts, obtained from fertilization treatments with N or B, was assessed against V. dahliae V-263 (experiment 3 a,b; experiment 4).
The growth traits of olive were positively affected by the applied N fertilization treatments (N1 – N6), resulting in a greater root and shoot growth compared to the growth resulting from control treatment N0. The uptake and translocation of N from roots to stem and leaves were significantly affected by the application of different N fertilization treatments (N0 – N6).
The lowest content of N (g/kg DW) in olive (root, stem, leaves) was found in the control fertilization treatment N0. The content of total and individual phenolic compounds was negatively affected by the applied fertilization treatments (N4 – N6). This study reports the antifungal activity of phenolic extracts (EF), EF-N0 – EF-N6, (root, stem, leaves) modified by N fertilization treatments (N0 – N6). The application of phenolic extracts (treatments EF-N0 – EF-N6) on V. dahliae V-263 had no inhibitory effect on the conidial germination, therefore showing lack of antifungal activity.
The application of higher molar concentrations of B (fertilization treatments B3 – B6) positively affected olive growth traits when compared to the control fertilization treatment B0. The lowest content of B (mg/kg DW) was observed in the control fertilization treatment B0 of all investigated parts of olive. The applied fertilization treatments B1 – B6 had varying effects on the content of total and individual phenolic compounds (mg/100 g DW) in the different parts of olive. The results of this study demonstrated that the phenolic extracts of roots and leaves had a significant antifungal effect on V. dahliae V-263. Specifically, phenolic extracts of roots (treatments EF-B0, EF-B3, and EF-B4), as well as phenolic extracts of stems (treatment EF-B2), significantly inhibited the conidial germination of V. dahliae V-263 therefore exhibiting antifungal effect. Additionally, significant inhibitory and antifungal effects were observed on the mycelium growth of V. dahliae V-263 when phenolic extracts from olive roots (treatments EF-B0 – EF-B6) and leaves (treatments EF-B0, EF-B2 – B5) were applied. The applied phenolic extracts (treatments EF-B0 – EF-B6) had different effects on the morphological characteristics of V. dahliae V-263 mycelium in vitro.
The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the complex interaction between nutrient fertilization, phenolic compounds, and the relation between modified phenolic extracts and V. dahliae V-263 conidial germination and mycelium growth. Further studies are required to identify the effect of N or B fertilization on the content of phenolic compounds in the olive tree and their role in olive tolerance to V. dahliae V-263
The effect of nitrogen and boron fertilization on the phenolic profile of olive (Olea europaea L.) vegetative organs and its antifungal effect on Verticillium dahliae Kleb.
No full textMaslina je voćna vrsta prirodno raširena na području Mediterana, a na području Republike Hrvatske zastupljen je i opisan značajan broj sorata ove gospodarski značajne kulture. Pravilna gnojidba masline neophodna je u proizvodnji visoko kvalitetnih maslinovih ulja. Gnojidba dušikom (N) i borom (B) može imati pozitivan ili negativan utjecaj na maslinu i okoliš. Navedeni makro- i mikroelementi mogu različito utjecati na razvoj masline i metaboličke promijene na njezinim vegetativnim organima. Nadalje, gnojidba N i B može utjecati na tolerantnost masline prema različitim štetnim organizmima. Fenolni spojevi sudjeluju u obrambenom odgovoru masline, a mogu značajno doprinijeti tolerantnosti na verticilijsko venuće masline (Verticillium dahliae Kleb). Stoga, cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi utjecaj primjene različitih molarnih koncentracija N i B na koncentraciju fenolnih spojeva (mg/100 g ST) u vegetativnim organima (korijen, izbojak, list) masline kako bi se ispitao učinak ekstrakata fenola na izolat V. dahliae V-263 u uvjetima in vitro. Kako bi se utvrdio utjecaj gnojidbe N i B na rast i razvoj masline, utvrđena su vegetativna svojstva izbojka (duljina izbojka, broj internodija, broj listova) i korijena (duljina, volumen, površina i promjer korijena) masline. S ciljem određivanja koncentracije N (g/kg ST) i B (mg/kg ST) te koncentracije fenola (mg/100 g ST) masline analizirani su uzorci korijena, izbojka i lista. Nadalje, protugljivični učinak ekstrakata fenola masline (korijen, izbojak, list), prethodno modificiranih primjenom gnojidbenih tretmana s N ili B, istražen je u uvjetima in vitro. Primjena gnojidbenih tretmana značajno je utjecala na vegetativna svojstva masline. Primjena viših molarnih koncentracija N i B pozitivno je utjecala na njihovo usvajanje korijenom te daljnju translokaciju u ostale vegetativne organe masline. Primjena gnojidbenih tretmana s N i B različito je utjecala na koncentraciju pojedinačnih fenolnih spojeva (mg/100 g ST), utvrđenih u vegetativnim organima masline. Ekstrakti fenola vegetativnih organa masline imali su različit inhibitorni učinak na klijavost konidija, porast i morfološka obilježja micelija V. dahliae V-263 u uvjetima in vitro.Olive (Olea europaea L.) has great cultural and economic importance in the Mediterranean basin. Olive oil production is an important source of revenue for many countries in the region and contributes to the growth of their economies. The production of olives and olive oil depends on numerous factors, including the correct application of nutrients. When it comes to olive production and the environment, the type of fertilization used can make a significant difference. Nitrogen (N) and boron (B) fertilization, in particular, can have varying effects on olive production.
Fertilization can greatly impact olive growth, nutrient uptake and distribution, phenolic content in olive, and olive tolerance to phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb. This study aimed to investigate the effects of N and B fertilization on their content in various parts of olive, including the roots, stem, and leaves. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of these nutrients on olive growth traits. This study also examined the effect of N and B fertilization on the phenolic content (root, stem, leaves) and the antifungal activity of phenolic extracts on V. dahliae V-263.
Fertilization experiments were conducted separately for N (experiment 1) and B (experiment 2). Seven different treatments were adopted in each experiment, representing seven molar concentrations of either N or B. The control treatments were N0 and B0. The study was conducted on one-year-old plantlets of the Istarska bjelica cultivar, which were grown in an inert substrate under controlled conditions. Measurements were taken periodically, including air temperature, substrate moisture, substrate pH, and olive growth traits. At the end of the experiment, samples of roots, stems, and leaves were collected and prepared for further analysis. The growth traits of olive roots were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Chemical analyses were conducted to evaluate the content of N (g/kg dry weight (DW)) or B (mg/kg DW), total and individual phenolic compounds (mg/100 g DW) in roots, stems, and leaves. In vitro antifungal activity of phenolic extracts, obtained from fertilization treatments with N or B, was assessed against V. dahliae V-263 (experiment 3 a,b; experiment 4).
The growth traits of olive were positively affected by the applied N fertilization treatments (N1 – N6), resulting in a greater root and shoot growth compared to the growth resulting from control treatment N0. The uptake and translocation of N from roots to stem and leaves were significantly affected by the application of different N fertilization treatments (N0 – N6).
The lowest content of N (g/kg DW) in olive (root, stem, leaves) was found in the control fertilization treatment N0. The content of total and individual phenolic compounds was negatively affected by the applied fertilization treatments (N4 – N6). This study reports the antifungal activity of phenolic extracts (EF), EF-N0 – EF-N6, (root, stem, leaves) modified by N fertilization treatments (N0 – N6). The application of phenolic extracts (treatments EF-N0 – EF-N6) on V. dahliae V-263 had no inhibitory effect on the conidial germination, therefore showing lack of antifungal activity.
The application of higher molar concentrations of B (fertilization treatments B3 – B6) positively affected olive growth traits when compared to the control fertilization treatment B0. The lowest content of B (mg/kg DW) was observed in the control fertilization treatment B0 of all investigated parts of olive. The applied fertilization treatments B1 – B6 had varying effects on the content of total and individual phenolic compounds (mg/100 g DW) in the different parts of olive. The results of this study demonstrated that the phenolic extracts of roots and leaves had a significant antifungal effect on V. dahliae V-263. Specifically, phenolic extracts of roots (treatments EF-B0, EF-B3, and EF-B4), as well as phenolic extracts of stems (treatment EF-B2), significantly inhibited the conidial germination of V. dahliae V-263 therefore exhibiting antifungal effect. Additionally, significant inhibitory and antifungal effects were observed on the mycelium growth of V. dahliae V-263 when phenolic extracts from olive roots (treatments EF-B0 – EF-B6) and leaves (treatments EF-B0, EF-B2 – B5) were applied. The applied phenolic extracts (treatments EF-B0 – EF-B6) had different effects on the morphological characteristics of V. dahliae V-263 mycelium in vitro.
The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the complex interaction between nutrient fertilization, phenolic compounds, and the relation between modified phenolic extracts and V. dahliae V-263 conidial germination and mycelium growth. Further studies are required to identify the effect of N or B fertilization on the content of phenolic compounds in the olive tree and their role in olive tolerance to V. dahliae V-263
Oral Candidal Colonization in Patients with Different Prosthetic Appliances
No full textOral infections caused by Candida species are becoming more common, which may be related to an increase in the number of immunologically compromised patients as well as favorable conditions in the oral cavity that often include removable prosthetic appliances. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of a particular Candida species in patients with PMMA and Cr-Co prosthetic appliances, as well as the salivary flow rate, and oral signs and symptoms. This investigation included a total of 120 subjects with different kinds of removable dentures. A sample of concentrated oral rinse was collected from all subjects in order to detect Candida colonization and identify the Candida species, a quantum of salivation was measured, and subjects were examined clinically. Candida spp. was predominant among the subjects who were denture wearers (p < 0.0001). In all subjects, the most frequently detected species was C.albicans. A statistically significant difference was found between the prevalence of C.albicans (p < 0.001) and C.krusei (p < 0.001) in denture wearers. Subjects with PMMA-based removable prosthetic appliances mostly demonstrated a significant decrease in salivation (p < 0.001), an increase in burning sensations (p < 0.001), and dry mouth (p < 0.001) compared to the subjects who wore partial dentures with Co–Cr metallic frameworks. Red oral lesions were more frequently found among the subjects with partial dentures with Co–Cr metallic frameworks (p < 0.001). Regardless of the material used for the denture, patients must be regularly checked by their dentists in order to prevent the development of oral lesions
Assessing pesticide residue occurrence and risks in the environment across Europe and Argentina
No full textThe widespread and extensive use of pesticides in European crop production to reduce losses from weeds, diseases, and insects may have serious consequences on the ecosystem and human health. This study aimed to identify 20 active substances of high health risk, based on their detection frequency within and across the environmental matrices (soil, crop, water, and sediment) and to identify their associated hazardous effects. A sampling campaign was conducted across 10 case study sites in Europe and 1 in Argentina and included conventional and organic farming systems. In 31% of cases, the detected substances were found at a higher concentration in the soil than in the corresponding crops, 93% of the compounds were fungicides, and the remainder were insecticides. 43% of the substances, 57% of which were insecticides, were detected only in soil. There was a clear relationship between soils and crops in terms of contamination, but not between water and sediment. Portuguese soil (wine grapes) had the highest number of substances (12) with average concentrations (AC) varying between 1 and 162 μg/kg, followed by French (11 substances in wine grapes) (1≤AC≤64 μg/kg) and Spanish soils (9 substances in vegetables) (3≤AC≤59 μg/kg). The crops corresponding to these soils contained a relatively high number of detected substances and several in high average concentrations (AC). The risk quotient was consistently higher for conventional farms than for organic farms. For the soils from conventional farms, 5 active substances (chlorpyrifos, glyphosate, boscalid, difenoconazole, lambda-cyhalothrin, and one metabolite: AMPA) were considered high risk. For water samples, 2 substances (dieldrin and terbuthylazine) found were high risk, and for sediment, there were 3 substances (metalaxyl-M, spiroxamine, and lambda-cyhalothrin). There were 6 substances detected in crops that are suspected to cause human health effects. Uncontaminated soil is a prerequisite for the adoption of sustainable alternatives to pesticides. Efforts are needed to elucidate the unknown effects of mixtures, including biocides and banned compounds in addition to the substances used in agriculture.EEA BalcarceFil: Alaoui, Abdallah. University of Bern. Institute of Geography; SuizaFil: Christ, Florian. University of Bern. Institute of Geography; SuizaFil: Abrantes, Nelson. University of Aveiro. CESAM and Department of Biology; PortugalFil: Silva, Vera. Wageningen University and Research; Países BajosFil: González, Neus. Universitat Rovira i Virgili; EspañaFil: Gai, Lingtong. Wageningen University and Research; Países BajosFil: Harkes, Paula. Wageningen University and Research; Países BajosFil: Navarro, Irene. Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas; EspañaFil: De la Torre, Adrián. Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas; EspañaFil: Martínez, María Ángeles. Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas; EspañaFil: Nørgaard, Trine. Aarhus University. Department of Agroecology; DinamarcaFil: Vested, Anne. Aarhus University. Danish Ramazzini Centre; DinamarcaFil: Schlünssen, Vivi. Aarhus University; DinamarcaFil: Aparicio, Virginia Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Campos, Isabel. University of Aveiro. CESAM and Department of Environment and Planning, PortugalFil: Pasković, Igor. Institute of Agriculture and Tourism. Department of Agriculture and Nutrition; CroaciaFil: Polić Pasković, Marija. Institute of Agriculture and Tourism. Department of Agriculture and Nutrition; CroaciaFil: Glavan, Matjaž. University of Ljubljana. Biotechnical Faculty; EsloveniaFil: Ritsema, Coen. Wageningen University and Research; Países BajosFil: Geissen, Violette. Wageningen University and Research; Países Bajo
Pesticide Residues in Organic and Conventional Agricultural Soils across Europe: Measured and Predicted Concentrations.
No full textDuring the growing season of 2021, 201 soil samples from conventionally and organically managed fields from 10 European countries and 8 cropping systems were taken, and 192 residues of synthetic pesticides were analyzed. Pesticide residues were found in 97% of the samples, and 88% of the samples contained mixtures of at least 2 substances. A maximum of 21 substances were found in conventionally managed fields, and a maximum of 12 were found in organically managed fields. The number and concentration of pesticide residues varied significantly between conventional and organic fields in 70 and 50% of the case study sites, respectively. Application records were available for a selected number of fields (n = 82), and these records were compared to the detected substances. Residues from 52% of the applied pesticides were detected in the soils. Only 21% of the pesticide residues detected in the soil samples were applied during the 2021 growing season. From the application data, predicted environmental concentrations of residues in soil were calculated and compared to the measured concentrations. These estimates turned out not to be accurate. The results of this study show that most European agricultural soils contain mixtures of pesticide residues and that current calculation methods may not reliably estimate their presence
Pesticide residues with hazard classifications relevant to non-target species including humans are omnipresent in the environment and farmer residences
No full textIntensive and widespread use of pesticides raises serious environmental and human health concerns. The presence and levels of 209 pesticide residues (active substances and transformation products) in 625 environmental samples (201 soil, 193 crop, 20 outdoor air, 115 indoor dust, 58 surface water, and 38 sediment samples) have been studied. The samples were collected during the 2021 growing season, across 10 study sites, covering the main European crops, and conventional and organic farming systems. We profiled the pesticide residues found in the different matrices using existing hazard classifications towards non-target organisms and humans. Combining monitoring data and hazard information, we developed an indicator for the prioritization of pesticides, which can support policy decisions and sustainable pesticide use transitions. Eighty-six percent of the samples had at least one residue above the respective limit of detection. One hundred residues were found in soil, 112 in water, 99 in sediments, 78 in crops, 76 in outdoor air, and 197 in indoor dust. The number, levels, and profile of residues varied between farming systems. Our results show that non-approved compounds still represent a significant part of environmental cocktails and should be accounted for in monitoring programs and risk assessments. The hazard profiles analysis confirms the dominance of compounds of low-moderate hazard and underscores the high hazard of some approved compounds and recurring “no data available” situations. Overall, our results support the idea that risk should be assessed in a mixture context, taking environmentally relevant mixtures into consideration. We have uncovered uncertainties and data gaps that should be addressed, as well as the policy implications at the EU approval status level. Our newly introduced indicator can help identify research priority areas, and act as a reference for targeted scenarios set forth in the Farm to Fork pesticide reduction goals
Identifying pesticides of high concern for ecosystem, plant, animal, and human health: A comprehensive field study across Europe and Argentina.
No full textThe widespread and excessive use of pesticides in modern agricultural practices has caused pesticide contamination of the environment, animals, and humans, with confirmed serious health consequences. This study aimed to identify the 20 most critical substances based on an analysis of detection frequency (DF) and median concentrations (MC) across environmental and biological matrices. A sampling campaign was conducted across 10 case study sites in Europe and 1 in Argentina, each encompassing conventional and organic farming systems. We analysed 209 active substances in a total of 4609 samples. All substances ranked among the 20 most critical were detected in silicon wristbands worn by humans and animals and indoor dust from both farming systems. Five of them were detected in all environmental matrices. Overall, higher values of DF and MC, including in the blood plasma of animals and humans, were recorded in samples of conventional compared to organic farms. The differences between farming systems were greater in the environmental samples and less in animal and human samples. Ten substances were detected in animal blood plasma from conventional farms and eight in animal blood plasma from organic farms. Two of those, detected in both farming systems, are classified as hazardous for mammals (acute). Five substances detected in animal blood plasma from organic farms and seven detected in animal blood plasma from conventional farms are classified as hazardous for mammals (dietary). Three substances detected in human blood plasma are classified as carcinogens. Seven of the substances detected in human blood plasma are classified as endocrine disruptors. Six substances, of which five were detected in human blood plasma, are hazardous for reproduction/development. Efforts are needed to elucidate the unknown effects of mixtures, and it is crucial that such research also considers biocides and banned substances, which constitute a baseline of contamination that adds to the effect of substances used in agriculture
