Development of a Protocol for Testing Effects of Toxic Substances on Plants

摘要

This study was designed to devise a rapid, simple, reproducible bioassay procedure to determine effects of so-called 'toxic substances in the environment' on vegetation and provide a standardized procedure for evaluation and comparison of effects of diverse compounds. Eight different plant species were grown and evaluated for speed of growth, e.g., rapid production of leaf tissue, uniformity within the particular cultivar, plant habitus, e.g., structural characteristics that make it suitable for this particular application, and the potential for high ethylene production when exposed to mild stress. Of the varieties grown in the growth chambers, pink kidney beans and cucumbers were selected as most suitable. Seven compounds were tested by the procedure devised: two organic herbicides: Paraquat and Endothall; three inorganic plant toxicants: Phytar, sodium fluoride and sodium chlorate; and two insecticides: Orthene and Diasinon. The statistical parameters, slope intercept and correlation coefficient were recorded. Reproducibility of the method was tested with two successive runs with Endothall. The slopes were 143.6 and 136.6 with correlation coefficient of 0.91 and 0.96 respectively. Analysis of covariance showed there was no significant difference between these slopes at the 95% confidence interval.