University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Size matters: significant negative relationship between mature plant mass and residual neonicotinoid levels in seed-treated oilseed rape and maize crops

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 15:01 authored by Nicholas BalfourNicholas Balfour, Norman CarreckNorman Carreck, Héloïse E Blanchard, Francis Ratnieks
Neonicotinoid insecticides have been under scrutiny in recent years due to their potential to harm bees. The European Union recently imposed a two year moratorium (2014–2015) on their application as a seed-treatment for certain bee-attractive crops. In this study we investigated the effect of mature plant size on residual neonicotinoid concentration in two widely grown, bee-attractive crops: oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and maize (Zea mays). Plants were collected from four commercial farms in Sussex, United Kingdom, three growing oilseed rape and one maize. All were grown from seeds treated with the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam. For both crops there was a significant negative relationship between mature plant mass and residual neonicotinoid (thiamethoxam and its metabolite clothianidin) concentrations (p < 0.001). Concentrations in plant tissues roughly halved with a four-fold increase in plant weight. These results indicate that agronomic practices that result in larger mature plants might have the potential to reduce the exposure of bees to neonicotinoid contamination of pollen and nectar.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment

ISSN

0167-8809

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

215

Page range

85-88

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-09-11

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-09-11

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC