Quantification of soil microbial functional genes as potential new method in environmental risk assessment of pesticides.

ABSTRACT: Pesticides can have adverse effects on soil microorganisms, but they are underrepresented in the currently required OECD 216 test for environmental risk assessment of plant protection products (PPP). The guideline monitors soil microbial nitrogen transformation over 28 days, potentially missing long-term effects of persistent pesticides. Additionally, nitrate alone may be not sensitive enough to detect disruptions in microbial functions. We investigated whether functional gene analysis could provide a more sensitive bioindicator of pesticide impact. To compare this method with the standard test, we conducted a microcosm experiment following the OECD 216 experimental setup. To capture long-term effects beyond the typical test period, we extended the incubation duration to 56 days. Four diff

SUBMITTER: Stache F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12423211 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature