Ecotoxicological potential of copper-based organic fungicide in non-target soil organisms

Abstract

The Viçosa (Blooming) mixture is an important product for pest and disease control in agriculture. It is considered as an alternative fungicide, and no effects are expected when exposed to humans and non-target organisms, which may not be true because it contains copper in its composition and may be applied multiple times in certain crops. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify its ecotoxicological potential through survival and reproduction trials of the invertebrates of the soil Enchytraeus crypticus and Folsomia candida. Both trials lasted 28 days in a completely randomized design, in tropical artificial (TAS) and natural soils. From the recommended 0.5% concentration of Viçosa mixture, increasing doses equivalent to 0% (control), 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1 and 3% were tested. There were effects on survival and reproduction of soil invertebrates on TAS and natural soils from the lowest dose of 0.1%. Therefore, it is concluded that the use of this copper-based mixture presents toxic potential over the life cycle of invertebrates living in the soil, and there is need of new studies that evaluate the effects in natural environment.