Intensification of production in modern agriculture is frequently obtained thanks to the increase of pesticide applications and chemical fertilizers. However, the use of these products sometimes causes a reduction of crop productivity. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the fungicide Aliette on in vitro activity of chloroplasts of spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.). Transmembrane potential formation, PSII oxygen evolution and PSII photochemistry were analyzed. Our results showed that the recommended concentration (2.5 g L-1) of Aliette did not impair the photosynthetic apparatus. However, at higher concentrations (> 7.5 g L-1), reductions in thylakoid membrane potential and oxygen evolution were recorded, but with no evidence of photoinhibition.
bioenergetics; ecotoxicology; pesticides; photosynthesis; xenobiotics
