The presence of cyanobacterial microsystins in the water used for irrigation may have considerable impact on the biological activity of soils and on the growth and development of food crop plants. In this study, a crude extract of a toxic cyanobacterial culture of Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7820 was used to evaluate the effects of irrigation water contaminated with this extract at different concentration of microcystins (0 � 100 �g equivalent microcytin-LR/L) on some soil enzymatic activities (glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase) and on the growth of the tomato Solanum lycopersicum var. MicroTom. Results showed that after 15 days exposure of soils, only a significant decrease of the soil glucosidase activity was observed at a relevant environmental concentration of 50 �g/L. However, in plant no significant effects on seed germination and growth were observed. After 3 months exposure only flowering seemed to be late in plant irrigated with contaminated water compared to plant control.

Toxicity of cyanobacterial microcystins on biological activity of soil and growth of the tomato <i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> var. MicroTom

245th National Meeting (2013)

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Toxicity of cyanobacterial microcystins on biological activity of soil and growth of the tomato Solanum lycopersicum var. MicroTom