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Most of the pesticides can be used with little risk if label directions were followed, while some are extremely toxic and require special precautions. This study aimed to determine the patho-biochemical toxicity of short-term exposure to repeated low oral doses of malathion, metalaxyl and cymoxanil pesticides on male rats. Results of the present study demonstrated that low doses of malathion, metalaxyl and cymoxanil pesticides was asymptomatic and mostly showed insignificant histopathological changes in treated rats. The observed values of biochemical enzymes with these low-doses were near to the control ones, whereas medium and high doses treated rats exhibited adverse signs and symptoms of toxicity. The results also depicted that cymoxanil was the most toxic of the tested pesticides, followed by Malathion and metalaxyl. The obtained histological lesions were correlated with the increased level of biochemical enzymes in target organs. Additionally, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were obvious in rats treated with cymoxanil, meanwhile, neuronal and pulmonary changes were nearly the same in all doses of the used pesticides. Taken together, our study recommends examining pesticides for their possible adverse effects on animals and humans in case of repeated use, even in small doses, before their application to agricultural fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field study was conducted to evaluate the capability of two neonicotinoids as seed treatment to alleviate the negative effects of water deficit on cotton plants. The effect of water-deficit reflected in a significant decrease in plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll content index, photosynthesis (parameter Fv/Fm), also a significant induction in antioxidant enzyme activity and proline content was obtained, while Protein content was slightly changed. A reduction ranged between 38.7-44.1 in the obtained seed cotton/plant occurred as a result of water-deficit. The two neonicotinoids had a phytotonic effect on the cotton plant with a significant increase in both morphological and physiological parameters. A reduction in antioxidant enzymes activity and proline content was observed with the two compounds. Both of them succeeded to maintain cotton yield stability (less than 7% reduction) under water-deficit condition (19.4%). The results reflected the capability of the tested neonicotinoids to mitigate the adverse effects of water deficit on cotton plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]