Phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic assessment of glyphosate on Lactuca sativa L.

Abstract

The active ingredient glyphosate is the most commercialized herbicide on the world market due to its capability in eliminating weeds. However, it can harm the development of non-target organisms and threaten environmental quality. This study analyzed the effects of potentially toxic concentrations of glyphosate on germination, growth, cell cycle and genomic stability of Lactuca sativa L., and identified the most sensitive variables for assessing the toxicity of this herbicide to this biomonitor. Seeds of L. sativa were germinated in Petri dishes containing a sheet of filter paper moistened with 5 mL of a concentration of glyphosate (1.34, 3.35, 6.70, 10.05, 13.40 mg L-1). Controls consisted of distilled water (negative) and 3 mg L-1 CuSO4 (positive). Macroscopic and microscopic variables were analyzed. The germination of L. sativa was not affected by the concentrations of glyphosate. Root length and shoot height of the plants and the mitotic index decreased from the lowest concentration tested on. The chromosomal anomaly index and frequency of micronuclei increased by 3.2 and 22 times, respectively, with the presence of the lowest concentration of glyphosate compared to the negative control. The observed phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic effects demonstrate the negative influence that glyphosate has on the development of L. sativa. Root length and microscopic variables showed the highest sensitivity. This study warns of the possible harmful effects that glyphosate can have on non-target organisms and suggests greater control over the use of this herbicide to mitigate its environmental impact.

Safety of foods sold in street fairs: analysis of pesticide residues in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

“…Due to the massive and frequent use of glyphosate in the food production chain, its deleterious effects on the environment are evident in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (Schneider et al, 2009;Droste et al, 2010;Samsel and Seneff, 2013;Annett et al, 2014;Vieira et al, 2024). The biodegradation half-life of glyphosate in the soil is highly variable, from a few days to several months.…”

“…Agricultural production in Brazil is increasingly dependent on the use of pesticides and synthetic chemical fertilizers (Ibama, 2021). This practice has led to water, soil, and food pollution with ecological and health consequences, in addition to the impoverishment of biodiversity (Vieira et al, 2024). The impacts of pesticide use on the environment and the consequences for public health need to be better understood in the context of different territories and population groups, especially due to the risk of possible food contamination (Carneiro et al, 2015;Friedrich et al, 2018).…”

“…Residues of these active ingredients and others have already been identified and quantified at different levels in food samples by Anvisa, through the Pesticide Residue Analysis Program (PARA) (Anvisa, 2019). Pesticides are toxic substances that persist in food and the environment after application and tend to accumulate in organisms (Lorenzatto et al, 2020;Deus et al, 2022;Vieira et al, 2024). In this sense, residue monitoring is necessary for food, soil, water, and nontarget organisms, including humans.…”