PHYSIOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS INDUCED BY THE ORGANOPHOSPHORUS INSECTICIDE TRICHLORFON IN ANABAENA PCC-7119 GROWN WITH NITRATES

The addition of trichlorfon to nitrate-containing cultures of Anabaena PCC 7119 results in a decrease in the content of all the main nitrogen compounds, and an increase in the carbohydrate fraction per unit dry weight. Photoevolution of O2 per unit chlorophyll is not affected but this activity per unit dry weight is diminished due to a decrease in photosynthetic pigments. Nitrate uptake is also lowered. Cell division and morphology are altered. All these trichlorfon-induced alterations are noticeable from the first 24 hr of treatment but inhibition of growth does not occur until the fourth day. © 1990.