ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF SULFONYLUREAS HERBICIDE AMIDOSULFURON APPLICATION ON TARGET AND NON-TARGET ORGANISMS

The effects of the herbicide amidosulfuron (sulfonylurea herbicide) on the growth of target and non-target plant species (Chenopodium album, Hordeum vulgare, Lemna minor) as well as mortality of aquatic microinvertebrates (Daphnia magna, Thamnocephalus platyurus) were tested. The terrestrial plants were sprayed with herbicide spray solutions equivalent to 0.01-0.1 of field application rate whereas the aquatic plants and microinvertebrates were affected by the same concentrations of herbicide in their growth medium. All plant species had a strong phytotoxic response to herbicide application (inhibition of growth, biomass; reduced content of photosynthetic pigments and increased content of malondialdehyde), though the response of target species was more pronounced. The aquatic organisms were extremely susceptible to the herbicide. Amidosulfuron had the most pronounced effects on the relative growth rate of L. minor and the mortality of microcrustaceans (> 80%).