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The Fungicide Tebuconazole Confounds Concentrations of Molecular Biomarkers Estimating Fungal Biomass

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Abstract

Due to their ecological importance, fungi are suitable indicator organisms for anthropogenic stress. To estimate fungal biomass, the fungal membrane molecule ergosterol is often quantified as a proxy. Estimates based on ergosterol may, however, be distorted by exposure to demethylase inhibiting (DMI) fungicides, interfering with sterol synthesis. To test this hypothesis, we exposed ten fungal species to the DMI fungicide tebuconazole and measured concentrations of ergosterol and DNA per unit dry mass of the fungal hyphae. The latter served as alternative biomass proxy that is not specifically targeted by tebuconazole. Effects of tebuconazole on ergosterol concentrations were species-specific, while concentrations were on average reduced by 13%. In contrast, DNA concentrations were on average increased by 13%. We demonstrate that DMI fungicides – at close to field relevant levels – can distort fungal biomass estimation, complicating the use of this endpoint for environmental management.

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Acknowledgement

This study was funded by the German Research Foundation, Project AQUA–REG (DFG; SCHU227/14-1). We thank Therese Bürgi, Sebastian Pietz, and Britta Wahl–Ermel for their assistance in the laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829, Landau, Germany

    Patrick Baudy, Marco Konschak, Harshada Sakpal, Ralf Schulz, Mirco Bundschuh & Jochen P. Zubrod

  2. Leibniz Institute DSMZ–German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany

    Christiane Baschien

  3. Eußerthal Ecosystem Research Station, University of Koblenz-Landau, Birkenthalstraße 13, 76857, Eußerthal, Germany

    Ralf Schulz & Jochen P. Zubrod

  4. Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7050, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden

    Mirco Bundschuh

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  1. Patrick Baudy
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  2. Marco Konschak
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  3. Harshada Sakpal
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  4. Christiane Baschien
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  5. Ralf Schulz
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  6. Mirco Bundschuh
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  7. Jochen P. Zubrod
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Correspondence to Patrick Baudy or Mirco Bundschuh.

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Baudy, P., Konschak, M., Sakpal, H. et al. The Fungicide Tebuconazole Confounds Concentrations of Molecular Biomarkers Estimating Fungal Biomass. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 105, 620–625 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-02977-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-02977-9

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