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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » Natural Products Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #429614
Research Project: Improving Product Quality and Innovation Through Phytochemical Optimization and Discovery of Natural Product-based Solutions

Location: Natural Products Utilization Research

Title: Dicamba impacts on aquatic ecotoxicological bioindicators and non-target plants

Author
item PEREIRA, PAMELA - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)
item BRUNETTI, ISABELLA - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)
item SILVA, ANA BEATRIZ - University Center Of Educational Foundation Of Barretos (UNIFEB)
item OLIVEIRA, ANA CAROLINA - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)
item CRUZ, CLAUDINEI DA - University Center Of Educational Foundation Of Barretos (UNIFEB)
item DUKE, STEPHEN - University Of Mississippi
item CARVALHO, LEONARDO - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)

Submitted to: AgriEngineering
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/2/2025
Publication Date: 10/8/2025
Citation: Pereira, P.C., Brunetti, I.A., Silva, A., Oliveira, A., Cruz, C., Duke, S.O., Carvalho, L.B. 2025. Dicamba impacts on aquatic ecotoxicological bioindicators and non-target plants. AgriEngineering. 7(10), 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7100336.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7100336

Interpretive Summary: Use of dicamba, an auxin-mimic herbicide, has increased in recent years. Both the effects of dicamba on non-target plants and the determination of a biological model to determine the dicamba ecotoxicity dynamics are important to monitor the correct and safe use of this herbicide. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of low-doses (simulating herbicide drift) and to determine the acute ecotoxicity of dicamba to aquatic bioindicator species (Lemna minor, Pomacea canaliculate, Hyphessobrycon eques, and Danio rerio) and terrestrial non-target plants (Cucumis sativus, Solanum lycopersicum, and Lactuca sativa) plants. Dicamba was found to be virtually non-toxic to the aquatic bioindicator organisms, but it was highly toxic to terrestrial plants. Solanum lycopersicum was the most susceptible plant species. Low doses applied directly to all the plant species caused severe injuries, especially to S. lycopersicum.

Technical Abstract: Use of dicamba, an auxin-mimic herbicide, has increased in recent years. Both the effects of dicamba on non-target plants and the determination of a biological model to determine the dicamba ecotoxicity dynamics are important to monitor the correct and safe use of this herbicide. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of low-doses (simulating herbicide drift) and to determine the acute ecotoxicity of dicamba to aquatic bioindicator species (Lemna minor, Pomacea canaliculate, Hyphessobrycon eques, and Danio rerio) and terrestrial non-target plants (Cucumis sativus, Solanum lycopersicum, and Lactuca sativa) plants. Measurements of acute toxicity of dicamba at the concentrations that cause 50% of symptoms of injury (LC50) and other biometric variables were performed. Dicamba was virtually non-toxic to all aquatic bioindicator species (LC50> 118.0 mg L-1), while it was highly toxic to all terrestrial non-target plants (LC50<0.5 mg L-1). Severe injury symptoms (70% to 100%) caused by application of low doses of dicamba were found for all non-target terrestrial plants. Severe injury symptoms (70% to 100%) caused by volatilization of dicamba were found only for S. lycopersicum. Since S. lycopersicum was found as the most sensitive non-target plant, showing high injury symptoms caused by dicamba and significant injury from volatilized dicamba, this species is suitable for environmental monitoring of dicamba applications.