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Comparison of Sensitivity of Grasses (Lolium perenne L. and Festuca rubra L.) and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Exposed to Water Contaminated with Microcystins

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Abstract

The effects of aqueous extracts from Microcysts aeruginosa strains (both microcystin-producers and non-microcystin producers) on germination and root growth were investigated for three economically important plant species: Festuca rubra L., Lolium perenne L., and Lactuca sativa L. There was a clear inhibition of root growth for L. sativa exposed to strains containing microcystins (5.9–56.4 μg L−1). The strain that produced the most pronounced effects contained the lowest concentration of microcystin suggesting that other cellular compounds may also affect growth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departament of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    Silvia Pereira

  2. CIIMAR/CIMAR-LA-Marine and Environmental Research Center, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050, Porto, Portugal

    Silvia Pereira, Martin L. Saker, Micaela Vale & Vitor M. Vasconcelos

  3. Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Sciences, Porto University, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal

    Micaela Vale & Vitor M. Vasconcelos

Authors
  1. Silvia Pereira
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  2. Martin L. Saker
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  3. Micaela Vale
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  4. Vitor M. Vasconcelos
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Correspondence to Vitor M. Vasconcelos.

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Pereira, S., Saker, M.L., Vale, M. et al. Comparison of Sensitivity of Grasses (Lolium perenne L. and Festuca rubra L.) and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Exposed to Water Contaminated with Microcystins. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 83, 81–84 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-009-9763-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-009-9763-z

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