Identification of sentinel plant species for evaluating phytotoxicity of veterinary antibiotics in Mediterranean Europe

Abstract Background Antibiotics used to treat livestock species enter agricultural fields when they are excreted by grazing animals or present in manure that is added as fertiliser. In the European Union, potential effects of such antibiotics on terrestrial plants must be evaluated following standardised OECD 208 method, which specifies crop and wild should serve “sentinels” for assessing antibiotic exposure. The study aimed compare this approved list sentinel against plant actually pasture lands Mediterranean Europe order identify most appropriate region. focused Spain a region representative Europe. Georeferenced layers cultivated areas (crops), density land cover were combined, then selection criteria applied, leading identification scenarios. Results scenario, barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat Triticum spp.), corn (Zea mays L), sunflower Helianthus annuus dried pea Pisum sativum alfalfa Medicago sativa vetch Vicia oilseed rape Brassica napus L.) sugar beet Saccharum officinarum all them listed method with exception alfalfa; Papaver rhoeas L., Galium aparine L. Chenopodium album Bromus tectorum Agrostis capillaris Trifolium pratense Lotus corniculatus common weed field boundaries also emerged risk assessment, even though not method: Sonchus oleraceus Avena sterilis Dactylis glomerata murinum Lolium rigidum Gaudin. Conclusions identified may useful assessment procedures covering developed could applied other agroclimatic regions (such Atlantic Continental).