Root length as a bioindicator of pesticide concentration in irrigation water

Abstract

Overusing pesticides to increase crop productivity is a global problem that harms ecosystems and can adversely affect human health. Therefore, low-cost, simple, and easy-to-use pesticide biomonitoring methods are needed to assess the impact of these products on the environment. In this study, we employed the root development of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) RR (Roundup® resistant) and sesbania (Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Pers) as bioindicators to evaluate the impact of irrigation water containing three distinct commercial pesticides (herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide). The hermetic response was observed for lower doses of methomyl. A significant reduction in root length was consistently observed in both soybean and sesbania plants when treated with glyphosate, difenoconazole, and methomyl. The dose-dependent change in root length suggests a straightforward alternative to monitoring pesticide levels in water-based solutions. Furthermore, the effects of these chemical agents on plants, even when present in low quantities, may clarify their implications for the environment and crop production.

Keywords: Bioindicator; Pesticides; Plants; Root length.