Differential local genetic adaptation to pesticide use in organic and conventional agriculture in an aquatic non-target species

Abstract

Pesticide application is an important stressor to non-target species and can profoundly affect ecosystem functioning. Debates continue on the choice of agricultural practices regarding their environmental impact, and organic farming is considered less detrimental compared to conventional practices. Nevertheless, comparative studies on the impacts of both agricultural approaches on the genetic adaptation of non-target species are lacking. We assessed to what extent organic and conventional agriculture elicit local genetic adaptation of populations of a non-target aquatic species, Daphnia magna . We tested for genetic differences in sensitivity of different D. magna populations ( n = 7), originating from ponds surrounded by conventional and organic agriculture as well as nature reserves, to pesticides used either in conventional (chlorpyrifos) or organic agriculture (deltamethrin and copper sulfate). The results indicate that D. magna populations differentially adapt to local pesticide use. Populations show increased resistance to chlorpyrifos as the percentage of conventional agriculture in the surrounding landscape increases, whereas populations from organic agriculture sites are more resistant to deltamethrin. While organic agriculture is considered less harmful for non-target species than conventional, both types of agriculture shape the evolution of pesticide resistance in non-target species in a specific manner, reflecting the differences in selection pressure.

Variation of Tolerance to Isothiazolinones Among Daphnia pulex Clones

“…In daphnids, Brans et al (2021) found urban populations of D. magna to be more tolerant to chlorpyrifos than rural populations from the same geographical area (Flanders). In the same region, D. magna populations isolated from ponds located in agricultural areas presented specific pesticide resistance in line with local management practices (either chlorpyrifos or deltamethrin; Almeida et al, 2021). Romero‐Blanco and Alonso (2022) also noted from database and literature review that the sensitivity of aquatic species to contaminants depended strongly on the origin of populations, with either wild or laboratory‐reared populations being the most tolerant, depending on the chemical.…”

Sensibilidad in vitro de Gammarus pulex a la exposición controlada de Sulfatos de Cobre y Aluminio

“…Los resultados obtenidos en el presente estudio concuerdan con los obtenidos por Almeida et al (2021), y Santos et al (2021), quienes hacen referencia a que el sulfato de cobre y el sulfato de aluminio son tóxicos para G. pulex en concentraciones elevadas. La exposición a concentraciones agudas de estos compuestos puede causar la muerte de los individuos en poco tiempo.…”

Elevated dissolved carbon dioxide and associated acidification delays maturation and decreases calcification and survival in the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna

“…Four clonal lineages of D. magna were used, originating from small ponds in an agricultural landscape in the province of West-Flanders in Belgium (two from Vleteren: 50 55 0 06.7 00 N, 2 43 0 27.0 00 E and two from De Haan 51 13 0 53.8 00 N, 3 01 0 49.2 00 E; Almeida et al 2021). They were sampled in June 2018 and kept separately in 210 mL glass jars in stock cultures under standardized laboratory conditions (20 AE 1 C, 14 : 10 h light : dark cycle) in aged tap water.…”