Impact of antibiotics on plant growth
Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Impact of antibiotics on plant growth
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Rupali Barnwal and Dr. Pammi Gauba
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)
Full text available for: Impact of antibiotics on plant growth
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
Doi: 10.20959/wjpr201818-13637
Copyright (license): WJPR: All rights reserved
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The significant rise in the production and use of veterinary antibiotics has raised concerns regarding their effects on plant growth and development. The spread of these antibiotics through excretion or organic manure can impact crop land, and although the effects on human health have been investigated, less information is available regarding their direct influence on plants. This study primarily focuses on the effects of chlortetracycline and tetracycline on plant growth, examining how these compounds interact with plants and their potential toxicity.
Impact of Antibiotics on Plant Growth
Several studies have reported that antibiotics can adversely affect plant growth. In experiments involving different concentrations of antibiotics, such as oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline, root growth and overall plant development were significantly reduced. Specifically, as the concentrations of these antibiotics increased, so did plant mortality rates, ultimately leading to death at higher concentrations. Notably, oxytetracycline demonstrated particular phytotoxicity by inhibiting vital translational processes within chloroplasts, which are crucial for photosynthesis and plant vitality.
Mechanisms of Antibiotic Interaction with Plants
Plants have been found to possess various mechanisms for coping with pharmaceutical toxicity, including the ability to uptake and eliminate these compounds. The bioavailability of antibiotics in soil and solutions heavily influences plant absorption, underlining the nature of the environmental matrix in these interactions. This suggests that plants can actively adapt to the presence of pharmaceuticals, despite potential inhibitory effects on growth.
Phytotoxic Effects of Specific Antibiotics
The specific phytotoxic effects of antibiotics like oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline were highlighted by investigations into their impact on crop plants such as Pinto beans and alfalfa. These studies revealed a marked decrease in root growth alongside increasing antibiotic concentrations. Additionally, the results indicated that the toxicity could be direct, arising from the compounds themselves, or indirect, through degradation products or the formation of complexes that lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Conclusion
In summary, while the uptake of antibiotics by plants presents a low risk to human health from an agricultural perspective, the potential adverse effects on plant growth require further investigation. Insights into the biochemical processes in plants when exposed to pharmaceuticals indicate that while they have some capacity to manage these compounds, knowledge gaps persist. Continued research is necessary to fully understand the implications of antibiotic presence in agricultural settings and to develop effective strategies for mitigating their negative impacts on crop production.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of the study on antibiotics and plants?
The study evaluates the effects of antibiotics like chlortetracycline and tetracycline on plant growth and development, particularly their uptake and removal mechanisms by plants.
How do antibiotics affect soil respiration according to the study?
Tetracycline, chlortetracycline, and tylosin had minimal effects on soil respiration, while sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethazine showed some temporal impacts on soil respiration properties.
What was the first antibiotic discovered and by whom?
Penicillin was the first antibiotic, isolated by Alexander Fleming from the fungus Penicillium in 1928, marking the beginning of antibiotic use in medicine.
How do antibiotics interact with plants in terms of toxicity?
Antibiotics can be phytotoxic, affecting root growth particularly, with increasing concentrations leading to greater plant mortality, as observed in studies with Pinto beans and alfalfa.
What is the role of gene marker in genetic engineering of plants?
Gene markers help identify plant cells with inserted genes of interest, typically including antibiotic resistance or herbicide tolerance markers to facilitate successful gene incorporation.
What does the study suggest about plants' interaction with pharmaceuticals?
The study indicates that plants can uptake pharmaceuticals from soils and solutions, and may possess mechanisms to cope with toxicity, although potential risks to human health are relatively low.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Impact of antibiotics on plant growth”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibacterial substances, including antibiotics, specifically target bacteria to treat infections. The relevance of antibacterial agents extends beyond human health, as their presence in the environment can disrupt soil microbiomes and impact plant growth, emphasizing a need to understand their ecological consequences.
2) Drug:
A drug is a chemical substance used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent diseases. In this context, antibiotics are specifically a type of drug that targets bacterial infections. The growing concern is their residual presence in soils and crops, leading to potential health implications for consumers.
3) Soil:
Soil serves as the medium for plant growth and is crucial for agricultural productivity. The introduction of antibiotics into soil through animal waste or runoff raises potential risks, altering microbial communities and affecting plant growth. This highlights the importance of studying soil ecology concerning pharmaceutical impacts.
4) Crop:
Crops are cultivated plants grown for food, fiber, and other uses. The investigation into how antibiotics impact crop performance and health is essential, as antibiotic residues can affect not only plant growth but also the safety of food products for human consumption, necessitating further research.
5) Activity:
Activity in this context refers to the biochemical and physiological processes that occur in plants when exposed to antibiotics. Understanding these activities can help determine how plants uptake, metabolize, and respond to these pharmaceuticals, as well as potential mechanisms to mitigate harmful effects.
6) Family:
In the biological context, 'family' pertains to a classification of related plant species that share common characteristics. For instance, the GH3 family of enzymes is critical in hormone signaling within plants. Studying these families can enhance our understanding of plant responses to environmental stressors, including pharmaceuticals.
7) India:
India is the geographical context of this research, where the use of antibiotics in veterinary practices may influence agricultural practices. Given its vast agricultural landscape, understanding how these compounds affect plant growth and food safety in India is pivotal for improving farming practices and health outcomes.
8) Pammi:
Pammi refers to Dr. Pammi Gauba, a key author of the study. Her research focuses on the interaction of antibiotics with plant physiology. The insights gained from her work are essential for informing agricultural practices and policies concerning the safe use of pharmaceuticals in farming.
9) Study (Studying):
The study encompasses the investigation into the effects of antibiotics on plant growth and performance. It aims to assess how these compounds interact with plants, exploring their potential toxicity and the mechanisms plants may employ to cope with such environmental stressors.
10) Fish:
In genetic engineering, fish genes may be transferred to plants to enhance certain traits. The discussion around using antibiotic resistance markers in this context underscores the ethical and safety considerations of modifying crops, particularly regarding the potential ecological impacts and human health concerns.
11) Performance:
Performance refers to the growth and yield of plants when subjected to various conditions, including exposure to antibiotics. Evaluating plant performance under such influences provides insight into how agricultural practices may need to adapt to ensure crop health and food safety.
12) Knowledge:
Knowledge represents the understanding acquired through research regarding the effects of antibiotics on plant systems. This is critical in filling gaps related to agricultural practices, antibiotic usage, and their implications on food safety, aiming to promote best practices in crop management.
13) Toxicity:
Toxicity refers to the harmful effects that antibiotics can have on plants and soil microorganisms. Evaluating the toxicity of these compounds is essential for assessing risks to crop health and ecological balance, influencing guidelines for antibiotic usage in agriculture.
14) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses a broader category that includes treatments for various health conditions, with antibiotics being a significant subset. Understanding the implications of antibiotic usage in agriculture is crucial to ensure that food supply remains safe and free from antibiotic residues for public health.
15) Disease:
Disease refers to any condition that disrupts normal functions of organisms, typically caused by pathogens such as bacteria. Antibiotics are vital in treating bacterial diseases, but their environmental presence affects not just the treated organisms but also crops, with potential implications for food security.
16) Species:
Species denotes distinct groups of organisms that share common genetic and morphological traits. Investigating how different plant species respond to antibiotic exposure can shed light on ecological interactions and aid in developing tailored agricultural practices to enhance crop resilience.
17) Medium:
Medium in this context refers to the environmental setting where plants grow, including soil and nutrient solutions. The impact of pharmaceuticals on different growth media can affect how plants uptake these substances, influencing both growth patterns and potential toxicity.
18) Manure:
Manure serves as a key organic fertilizer in agriculture, but its potential to carry antibiotic residues introduces risks to plant health and food safety. Understanding how manure contributes to antibiotic spread in soils is essential for mitigating these risks in crop production.
19) Field:
Field refers to agricultural settings where crop production occurs. Researching the effects of antibiotics in field conditions is critical to understanding their real-world impacts on plant growth and the broader ecological effects of antibiotic usage in agricultural landscapes.
20) Beta:
Beta, in the context of antibiotics, represents a class of compounds, particularly beta-lactams that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. Understanding their action mechanisms can help inform agricultural applications and how they affect plant and soil health.
21) Genu:
Genu typically refers to genus in the biological classification of organisms. Understanding the genus of different plant species can provide insights into their sensitivity and adaptability to antibiotics, informing on potential crop management strategies to enhance resilience.
22) Rice (Rce):
Rice is a globally significant crop and a staple food for millions. Investigating the impact of antibiotics on rice cultivation is critical due to its economic importance, potential health risks from chemical exposure, and the need to ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
23) Pose:
Pose in this context relates to the threats and challenges that antibiotics pose to plant health and agricultural sustainability. Identifying these threats is vital for developing strategies that protect crop yield, soil health, and food safety.
24) Wall:
Wall refers to the bacterial cell wall, which is a target for certain antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis. Understanding how this process affects plant health and soil microbiomes is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Impact of antibiotics on plant growth’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Adverse effect, Antibiotic resistance, Biochemical processes, Genetic Engineering, Human Health, Plant growth, Nutrient medium, Experimental evidence, Gene marker, Plant hormone, Gene gun, Antibiotic exposure, Pharmaceutical compound.