Impact of azadirachtin on Glomus intraradices and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza in root inducing transferred dna transformed roots of Daucus carota

The impact of azadirachtin, neem extracts, and their products, Eneem 3G and Neemix® 4.5E, on the symbiotic vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices was assessed by short‐term subacute toxicity tests using root inducing transferred DNA (Ri T‐DNA) transformed roots of Daucus carota as the host in the minimal medium system. The concentration causing 50% inhibition of growth and development was determined, and effects of these test materials on carrot roots and colonization by G. intraradices were also evaluated. The inhibitory effect of azadirachtin and neem compounds was compared with that of several reference pesticides (benomyl, chlorothalonil, copper sulfate, dimethoate, glyphosate, and its metabolite aminomethyl‐phosphonic acid). Azadirachtin, neem extracts, Eneem 3G, and Neemix 4.5E, including their carriers and solvents, have low short‐term toxicity to G. intraradices when compared with reference pesticides. As well, neither D. carota nor the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization was affected by these compounds. The potential ecotoxicological impact of azadirachtin, a new botanical insecticide, on the terrestrial environment is evaluated and discussed.