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Gewählte Publikation:

Van Hoesel, W; Tiefenbacher, A; König, N; Dorn, VM; Hagenguth, JF; Prah, U; Widhalm, T; Wiklicky, V; Koller, R; Bonkowski, M; Lagerlöf, J; Ratzenböck, A; Zaller, JG; .
(2017): Single and Combined Effects of Pesticide Seed Dressings and Herbicides on Earthworms, Soil Microorganisms, and Litter Decomposition.
Front Plant Sci. 2017; 8:215 FullText FullText_BOKU

Abstract:
Seed dressing, i.e., the treatment of crop seeds with insecticides and/or fungicides, aiming to protect seeds from pests and diseases, is widely used in conventional agriculture. During the growing season, those crop fields often receive additional broadband herbicide applications. However, despite this broad utilization, very little is known on potential side effects or interactions between these different pesticide classes on soil organisms. In a greenhouse pot experiment, we studied single and interactive effects of seed dressing of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Capo) with neonicotinoid insecticides and/or strobilurin and triazolinthione fungicides and an additional one-time application of a glyphosate-based herbicide on the activity of earthworms, soil microorganisms, litter decomposition, and crop growth. To further address food-web interactions, earthworms were introduced to half of the experimental units as an additional experimental factor. Seed dressings significantly reduced the surface activity of earthworms with no difference whether insecticides or fungicides were used. Moreover, seed dressing effects on earthworm activity were intensified by herbicides (significant herbicide x seed dressing interaction). Neither seed dressings nor herbicide application affected litter decomposition, soil basal respiration, microbial biomass, or specific respiration. Seed dressing did also not affect wheat growth. We conclude that interactive effects on soil biota and processes of different pesticide classes should receive more attention in ecotoxicological research.
Autor*innen der BOKU Wien:
Dorn Verena
Hagenguth Julia
König Nina
Prah Ursa
Tiefenbacher Alexandra
van Hoesel Willem
Widhalm Theresia
Zaller Johann

Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
agrochemicals
agroecology
neonicotinoids
non-target effects
pesticide
seed coatings
soil organisms
glyphosate-herbicide


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