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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Water Quality and Ecology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #281286
Title: Phytotoxicity of atrazine, s-metolachlor and permethrin to Typha latifolia (Linneaus) germination and seedling growth

Author
item Moore, Matthew
item Locke, Martin

Submitted to: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/7/2012
Publication Date: 7/12/2012
Citation: Moore, M.T., Locke, M.A. 2012. Phytotoxicity of atrazine, s-metolachlor and permethrin to Typha latifolia (Linneaus) germination and seedling growth. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 89:292-295.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-012-0682-z

Interpretive Summary: Pesticides in agricultural runoff are carried through drainage ditches that often have vegetation capable of absorbing the chemicals and reducing their concentration before they enter aquatic receiving systems. However, this vegetation may be impacted by the concentration of the pesticide travelling through the system. Experiments were conducted to determine effects of atrazine, S-metolachlor, and permethrin on germination as well as root and shoot growth of the common cattail (Typha latifolia). Root development was affected by the combination of atrazine and S-metolachlor, but not by atrazine alone. This data allows conservationists to plan for the most effective vegetation in drainage ditches which can not only tolerate varying pesticide levels, but also aid in mitigating them as mature plants.

Technical Abstract: Phytotoxicity assessments were performed to compare responses of Typha latifolia (L.) seeds to atrazine (only) and atrazine + S-metolachlor exposure concentrations of 0.03, 0.3, 3, and 30 mg L-1, as well as permethrin exposure concentrations of 0.008, 0.08, 0.8, and 8 mg L-1. All atrazine + S-metolachlor exposures resulted in significantly reduced radicle development (p < 0.001). A stimulatory effect for coleoptile development was noted in the three highest atrazine (only) exposures (p = 0.0030, 0.0181, and 0.0016, respectively). This research provides data concerning the relative sensitivity of T. latifolia seeds to pesticides commonly encountered in agricultural settings, as well as critical understanding and development of using T. latifolia in phytoremediation efforts for pesticide exposures.