Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal: PLoS ONE

Volume number: 17

Issue number: 11

ISSN: 1932-6203

Open access status: Gold

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277865

Publisher: Public Library of Science

Abstract: 
Formulations of macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics such as moxidectin are regularly administered to sheep to combat parasites. A disadvantage of these pharmaceuticals are their side effects on non-target organisms when entering the environment. Little is known about anthelmintic effects on plant reproduction and whether the effects depend on environmental factors. For ecological and methodological reasons, we aimed at testing whether temperature affects the efficacy of a common moxidectin-based formulation on seed germination. We carried out a germination experiment including three typical species of temperate European grasslands (Centaurea jacea, Galium mollugo, Plantago lanceolata). We applied three temperature regimes (15/5, 20/10, 30/20 degrees C), and a four-level dilution series (1:100-1:800) of formulated moxidectin (i.e., Cydectin oral drench). These solutions represent seed-anthelmintic contacts in the digestive tract of sheep shortly after deworming. In addition, a control was carried out with purified water only. We regularly counted emerging seedlings and calculated final germination percentage, mean germination time and synchrony of germination. Formulated moxidectin significantly reduced percentage, speed and synchrony of germination. A 1:100 dilution of the formulation reduced germination percentage by a quarter and increased mean germination time by six days compared to the control. Temperature moderated effects of the anthelmintic drug on germination in all response variables and all species, but in different patterns and magnitudes (significant anthelmintic x temperature x species interactions). In all response variables, the two more extreme temperature regimes (15/5, 30/20 degrees C) led to the strongest effects of formulated moxidectin. With respect to germination percentage, G. mollugo was more sensitive to formulated moxidectin at the warmest temperature regime, whereas P. lanceolata showed the highest sensitivity at the coldest regime. This study shows that it is important to consider temperature dependencies of the effects of pharmaceuticals on seed germination when conducting standardised germination experiments.

Harvard Citation style: Eichberg, C., Hartman, A., Kronenberger, A., Düring, R. and Donath, T. (2022) Temperature moderates impact of formulated moxidectin on seed germination of three temperate grassland species, PLoS ONE, 17(11), Article e0277865. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277865

APA Citation style: Eichberg, C., Hartman, A., Kronenberger, A., Düring, R., & Donath, T. (2022). Temperature moderates impact of formulated moxidectin on seed germination of three temperate grassland species. PLoS ONE. 17(11), Article e0277865. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277865