[Genetic activity of carbamate herbicides in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae].

DNA-damaging activity and herbicide-induction of gene point mutations, and intragenic mitotic recombination were studied in bacteria and the yeast tester strains. Herbicide (eptam, triallate, tillam, surpass) were not effective in DNA-damaging and mitotic recombination tests. Of the 4 chemicals, only eptam was strongly mutagenic. Dose response curves for eptam differed in bacteria and yeast; maximum mutagenic activity was registered in bacteria at 5 mg/l. Maximum yield of prototrophs was observed after 2 h incubation time. Triallate was moderate, tillam and surpass being weak mutagens for the strains used.