Evaluation of toxic and genotoxic activity of some pesticides in a soil-plant system.

Five pesticides widely used in the Rieti plain were assayed in their tradin g formulation (Buctril M, Decis, Geodinphos, Lasso Micromix and Tramat Comb i) for their toxic (reduction of primary root length) and genotoxic (induct ion of micronucleated cells and aberrant anatelophases) activity in Vicia f aba seedlings grown in a sandy soil. In order to take the eventual concentr ation phenomena into account, doses up to 200 times higher than those used in agricultural practices were tested. The results obtained show that all pesticides at application doses used in this work, with the exception of Decis, induced a significant reduction of primary roots of the Vicia faba seedlings. However, no clastogenic effects were revealed when subtoxic application rates were assayed. As a conclusion, the results obtained with the micronucleus test in Vicia f aba suggest that no genotoxic risk can be expected as a consequence of trea tment with the studied pesticides at the normal application doses.