Fungicides cytotoxicity expressed in male gametophyte development in Brassica campestris after in vitro application of converted field doses

A simple method to determine the toxicity of fungicides on male gametophyte in Brassica campestris subsp. oleiferae is described. The calculation of f ungicide concentration used in the test is derived from doses used in field application. The expression of regression curves acid calculation of regre ssion equations require the logarithmic transformation of fungicide concent ration. The range of the sensitivity of the method is very wide. The minima l concentration detected as significantly different from control ranges fro m 1.7 to 7.0 pg of the active compound. Fungicides declared as non-toxic fo r plants in field tests were cytotoxic For male gametophyte development. Th e synergistic action of more than one active compound resulted in higher to xicity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.