Phytotoxicity of acridine, an important representative of a group of tar and cresote contaminents, N-PAC compounds

N-PAC (azaarenes) occur in the environment at levels that are 1-10% of the analogous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), e.g. from the production and use of creosote and tar. In this investigation navew (Brassica campestris L.), Italian rye-grass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were grown in two different soils containing concentrations of 0, 1 and 100 ppm acridine. The observations reveal that acridine inhibits the seed production of navew and the growth of Italian rye-grass. Inhibition was noted at 1 ppm level. At 100 ppm nawev seeds either did not germinate or the sprouts did not survive.