Phytotoxicity of diuron alone and in combination with copper or folpet on duckweed (Lemna minor)

The photosystem II-herbicide diuron is widely used for weed control in Champagne's vineyards. Its important use and its relative persistence make it of particular interest for ecotoxicological studies. Toxicity of diuron was assessed on Lemna minor L., a representative aquatic macrophyte regularly used for toxicological studies. Toxicity assessments were based on inhibition of growth and total chlorophyll content of L. minor cultures after 7 days. Growth was inhibited and IC(50) and IC(90) were, respectively, 25 and 60 microg l(-1), but chlorophyll content of L. minor increased in response to the herbicide. When diuron was combined with copper, growth inhibition of L. minor depended on the concentrations of both chemicals. For some concentrations, combination of these chemicals resulted in a slight (but non-significant) antagonism. Additivity was observed for all other mixtures. When diuron was combined with folpet, growth and chlorophyll content of L. minor only depended on the concentration of the herbicide. Diuron was also found to prevent the copper-induced decrease of chlorophyll content when it was combined with this metal. A multifactorial model was found more appropriate to characterize interactions between pesticides than Abott's model.