Screening of fluopyram-based formulation toxicity in non-target organisms

Area of Science:

• Ecotoxicology
• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Chemistry

Background:

• Fluopyram is a widely used agricultural fungicide with nematicidal properties.
• Limited data exists on its cytogenotoxic and plant-level impacts.
• This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding fluopyram's effects on non-target organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cytogenotoxic and ecotoxicological effects of a fluopyram-based formulation.
• To assess impacts on bacterial, aquatic, and plant species.
• To inform environmental risk assessments for fluopyram.

Main Methods:

• Tested fluopyram formulation on *Salmonella typhimurium* (TA98, TA100), *Artemia salina*, and seeds of *Lactuca sativa*, *Allium cepa*, *Cucumis sativus*.
• Utilized concentrations from 0.017 to 5.00 mg mL^-1.
• Assessed mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, mortality (LC₅₀), germination, and root growth.

Main Results:

• No mutagenic responses observed in *Salmonella* strains.
• Cytotoxicity detected in *Salmonella* at concentrations ≥1.67 mg mL^-1.
• *Artemia salina* showed increased mortality from 0.210 mg mL^-1 (LC₅₀ = 1.021 mg mL^-1).
• Onion seed germination inhibited at the highest concentration; plant root growth exhibited hormesis (stimulation at low, inhibition at high concentrations).

Conclusions:

• Fluopyram formulation demonstrated varying ecotoxicological effects across different non-target organisms.
• High concentrations pose risks to aquatic life and plant development.
• Further environmental monitoring and risk assessment of fluopyram are necessary, especially for aquatic and plant ecosystems.