Paraquat tolerant Lolium perenne L.: effects of paraquat on germinating seedlings

A cultivar of Lolium perenne L. (Causeway) selected for tolerance to foliar-applied paraquat was shown also to be tolerant at seed germination and establishment. When seeds were germinated in paraquat solutions (1, 3, 9, 27 ppm), Causeway was more than ten times as tolerant as a normal cultivar of L. perenne. When germination and survival were studied in a soil which had been sprayed with paraquat (0.0, 0.3, 0.9, 2.7 kg/ha) before sowing, Causeway was nearly three times as tolerant as a normal cultivar. Holcus lanatus L. was about equal to normal L. perenne, but Poa trivialis L. was less tolerant. Phytotoxicity was greater in a 10.5% organic than a 4.8% organic soil. It is concluded that the mechanism of paraquat tolerance operates in the non-photosynthetic tissues of germinating seedlings as well as in the photosynthetic tissues of older plants, although the degree of tolerance varies according to the mode and stage of application of the herbicide. There might be advantages in using a paraquat tolerant cultivar of L. perenne when direct drilling grass after sward destruction by paraquat.     

Effect of four herbicides and two oils on leaf-cell membrane permeability*†

Leakage of electrolytes from leaf discs of treated Phaseolus Vulgaris L. plants was the main criterion used to study the effect of several chemicals on the permeability of leaf-cell membranes. Paraquat, diquat, dinoseb and oxyfluorfen (2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(Trifluoromethyl) benzene) increased leaf-cell membrane permeability after exposure for 12 h or less. An‘aromatic’oil caused a large increase in permeability at 2–5 min after treatment. Increases in electrolyte release were also correlated with release of soluble amino acids from the leaf discs but the former method was the more sensitive. Increase in cell membrane permeability was always associated with injury symptoms such as appearance of necrotic areas in leaves. Chlorpropham, linuron, sodium azide, glyphosate and 2,4-D at 10^?3M, as well as 1% X-77 surfactant and a non-phytotoxic isoparaffinic oil did not alter leaf-cell permeability at 12 h after treatment. Light was necessary for paraquat and oxyfluorfen to alter leaf cell permeability. Paraquat and oxyfluorfen caused a greater increase in leaf-cell permeability of a soybean mutant with yellow leaves as compared with the normal green leaves. With oxyfluorfen this difference in permeability was greater than with paraquat, and was associated with the appearance of severe necrotic injury symptoms in the yellow mutant; paraquat caused no injury symptoms.     

Effect of light environment on the activity and behaviour of diquat and paraquat in plants

The importance of controlling the light environment of experiments involving diquat and paraquat is shown in experiments where activity is markedly dependent on the light quality and intensity before treatment and on the time of day of treatment. Activity and uptake are not directly related since treatments after low light intensities give increased activity associated with reduced uptake; following afternoon treatments, reduced activity is associated with increased uptake. Uptake increased when plants were darkened after treatment but the increase was not directly related to its duration, because after a time, uptake decreased. Three possible explanations for this decrease are considered: diquat exudation from the leaves, downward movement into the roots, and the adsorption of diquat in plant tissue. Evidence did not support exudation from leaves or downward movement into the roots.     

Non-host resistance toColletotrichum lagenariumin pumpkin and squash is not primarily associated with β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities

Disease symptoms typical of anthracnose were observed in cucumber, pumpkin and squash after infiltrating leaves with a conidial suspension ofColletotrichum lagenarium, but symptoms developed only in cucumber when droplets of the conidial suspension were applied to the leaf surface. There was no difference in the germination of conidia or in appressorium formation on leaf surfaces of cucumber, pumpkin or squash plants; however, penetration was markedly reduced into pumpkin and squash with or without systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and into cucumber with SAR. Little β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities were detected in challenged pumpkin and squash leaves without symptoms even 5 days after inoculation in leaf surfaces. However, the enzymes were detected in pumpkin and squash leaves with symptoms, and activities of the enzymes were greater than those in cucumber. These results suggest that β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities are not primary initial defence compounds associated with non-host resistance of pumpkin and squash toC. lagenarium.     

Differential translocation of paraquat in paraquat-resistant populations of Hordeum leporinum

Two populations of Hordeum leporinum have evolved resistance to paraquat within a small area in central Tasmania, Australia. One population (THL1) was more than 80-fold resistant to paraquat when treated in winter, compared with a susceptible population (THL4) collected nearby, whereas the other population (THL2) was only 19-fold resistant. Translocation of paraquat was examined in all three populations at warm and cool temperature regimes. Herbicide was applied to a basal section of the second leaf of plants kept in the dark and translocation measured after 16 h of dark and during a subsequent light period. Paraquat absorption into the treated leaf was uniformly high in susceptible and resistant populations, with >93% of the applied herbicide absorbed within 16 h in the dark at both temperatures. Translocation of paraquat out of the treated leaf was low in the dark, with <4% of the herbicide translocated to the remainder of the plant. More herbicide was translocated out of the treated leaves in susceptible plants in the dark, compared with resistant plants at both temperature regimes and more paraquat was translocated at warmer temperatures. Extensive basipetal translocation of paraquat to the rest of the plant occurred in susceptible plants following exposure of the treated plants to light. However, basipetal translocation was much reduced in resistant plants in the light and corresponded to the degree of resistance. Resistance to paraquat in H. leporinum is the result of reduced translocation of paraquat out of the treated leaves.     

Antioxidative enzymes response to NaCl stress in salt-tolerant Sesbania rostrata

Sesbania rostrata Brem. & Oberm. has been used as a promising halophytic plant to improve saline soil in north-east Thailand. Our previous study suggested that the salt tolerance of this plant was associated with its ability to translocate Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions from roots to shoots and trap them in the shoot cells. The present study further investigated the effect of NaCl on the activity of antioxidative enzymes and the tolerance to an active oxygen species generator, paraquat in S. rostrata leaves. Higher constitutive levels of antioxidative enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as higher levels of induced CAT and SOD activities with salinity stress were found in salt-tolerant S. rostrata than salt-sensitive Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Meal. Tolerance of S. rostrata to paraquat determined by the chlorophyll content in leaf disks increased with NaCl treatment. These findings indicate that S. rostrata exhibits better protection against the oxidative damage caused by NaCl, at least partly due to a higher constitutive and induced activities of antioxidative enzymes.     

苏门白酒草对草甘膦等除草剂的多抗性检测及防治药剂筛选

苏门白酒草Conyza sumatrensis是中国华南地区常见的阔叶杂草,在果园和非耕地常造成严重危害。本研究采用整株剂量反应法,明确了采自广东省广州市的苏门白酒草疑似抗性种群 (GZ-R) 对草甘膦、百草枯和敌草快的抗性水平,比对了GZ-R种群和采自广东省清远市的敏感对照种群 (QY-S) 的草甘膦靶标酶基因EPSPS2片段的差异,并测定了灭草松、氯氟吡氧乙酸等5种茎叶处理剂对不同叶龄苏门白酒草的室内防除效果。结果表明:GZ-R种群对草甘膦和百草枯分别产生了中等水平和高水平抗性,并已对敌草快产生交互抗性,3种药剂对GZ-R种群的LD₅₀值分别是对QY-S种群LD₅₀值的7.2、72.3和6.6倍;与QY-S种群相比,GZ-R种群的EPSPS2基因106位由脯氨酸突变为苏氨酸。在灭草松、氯氟吡氧乙酸或2甲4氯钠推荐剂量下,于4~5叶期施药,苏门白酒草死亡率均为100%,但于6~7叶期和10~12叶期施药,苏门白酒草死亡率显著下降至44.4%~91.7%;而在草铵膦或苯嘧磺草胺推荐剂量下,不同叶龄期施药苏门白酒草的死亡率均为100%,因此在植株生长早期可使用草铵膦和苯嘧磺草胺防除已对草甘膦和百草枯等除草剂产生抗性的苏门白酒草。     

FACTORS AFFECTING PERSISTENCE AND INACTIVATION OF DIQUAT AND PARAQUAT

Summary. The adsorption of diquat cation was found to be 0.3, 2.0–2.5 and 80–100 mg/g on a sandy loam soil, Grade Hydrite 10 Georgia kaolinite and National Standard Bentonite, respectively. Bentonite (113 lb/surface ac) applied to plastic pools previously treated with 1 ppm paraquat reduced the concentration of paraquat to less than 0–05 ppm within 24 hr of application. Only bentonite appeared to hold either diquat or paraquat in a form unavailable to wheat. Appreciable uptake by wheat from soil treated with diquat or paraquat (16 lb/ac pre-emergence) occurred only in soil or sand in which the herbicide leached below the 05 in. zone. A 12 hr dark period following foliage application did not appear to enhance movement of either herbicide in wheat. Loss of radioactivity was observed when diquat or paraquat was exposed to ultraviolet light (2537 Å).
Facteurs agissant sur la persistence et l'inactivation du diquat et du paraquat     

Synergism of Pratylenchus penetrans and Verticillium dahliae Manifested by Reduced Gas Exchange in Potato

ABSTRACT The effects of solitary and concurrent infection by Pratylenchus pene-trans and Verticillium dahliae on gas exchange of Russet Burbank potato (Solanum tuberosum) were studied in growth chamber experiments. Treatments were P. penetrans at low, medium, and high density; V. dahliae alone at one initial density; the combination of the nematode at these three densities and V. dahliae; and a noninfested control. Gas exchange parameters of leaf cohorts of different ages in the different treatments were repeatedly measured with a Li-Cor LI-6200 portable photosynthesis system. At 45 days after planting, joint infection significantly reduced net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration of 1- to 25-day-old leaf cohorts. Intercellular CO(2) levels were significantly increased by co-infection, especially in older leaves. The synergistic effect of co-infection on gas exchange parameters was greater in the oldest cohort than in the youngest cohort. No consistent effects on leaf gas exchange parameters were observed in plants infected by the nematode or the fungus alone. The relationship between the assimilation rate and stomatal conductance remained linear regardless of solitary or concomitant infection, indicating that stomatal factors are primarily responsible for regulating photosynthesis. The significant reduction of gas exchange in leaves of co-infected plants without reduction in intercellular CO(2) concentrations suggests that nonstomatal factors also play a role when both organisms are present.     

Leaf tissue pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters vary among sweet corn genotypes of differential herbicide sensitivity

Herbicide applications are meant to eliminate weed competition; however, herbicides may also impose abiotic stress on registered crops. Leaf tissue carotenoid pigments play vital roles in the photoprotection of photosynthetic membranes and contribute to non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of excitation energy, both important to plant environmental stress tolerance. Our research objectives were to characterize leaf tissue pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters following post-emergence herbicide applications (simulating an abiotic stress) to sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa) genotypes of differential herbicide sensitivities. Post-emergence herbicide applications of combinations of mesotrione (105 g ai/ha) and atrazine (560 g ai/ha) were applied to ‘Merit’ (sensitive), ‘Temptation’ (tolerant), and ‘Incredible’ (moderately sensitive) sweet corn genotypes. Leaf tissues were sampled after herbicide applications and measured for chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and the same tissues were analyzed for carotenoid and chlorophyll pigments. Leaf pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence were not affected by any herbicide treatment; however, data revealed significant differences between genotypes for leaf tissue antheraxanthin, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, chlorophyll a/b ratios, and for values of F_o, F_m, F_v, and NPQ, with ‘Merit’ leaf tissue having higher values than the other two genotypes evaluated. Results demonstrate that genotypic sensitivities to certain post-emergence herbicides may be related to concentrations of photo-protective carotenoids in sweet corn leaf tissues.     

Physiological basis of bentazon tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) lines

In the present study, 98.8 mm of bentazon was applied to 3‐leaf stage rice seedlings. Two tolerant lines, M202 and cv. TNG67, showed slightly visible injury, photosystem II inhibition, as well as a low level of lipid peroxidation 7 days after application compared with the susceptible lines. Further physiological study of the mechanism of differential tolerance among Japonica and Indica types indicated that, although the tolerant Japonica lines M202 and cv. TNG67 absorbed more ¹⁴C‐bentazon, most of the ¹⁴C remained in the treated leaf or translocated to older leaves. However, two susceptible lines, FSK (Japonica) and IR36 (Indica), absorbed less ¹⁴C‐bentazon throughout the experiment, and most of the ¹⁴C was translocated from the treated leaves to younger leaves, which might result in the death of developing tissues. In addition, more bentazon residue and less polar metabolites were detected in these two susceptible lines. It is proposed that the higher tolerance of lines M202 and TNG67 to bentazon could be mainly due to a higher rate of metabolism of this herbicide, and partially due to less translocation to developing tissues.     

Analytical method for the simultaneous determination of diquat and paraquat residues in potatoes by high-pressure liquid chromatography

A novel method was developed for the simultaneous determination of diquat and paraquat residues in potatoes. Potato tissues were spiked at several levels and extracted with acid using a micro-reflux procedure with 5 g of sample; this was followed by adjusting the hydrolyzate pH to 9 to 10 and using a silica Sep-Pak for rapid clean-up and preconcentration. Aliquots of the final eluate were taken to dryness, dissolved in the h.p.l.c. mobile phase and analyzed as their heptanesulfonate ion-pairs by u.v.-h.p.l.c. (reverse phase column chromatography) at 254 and 313 nm for paraquat and diquat, respectively. A detection limit of approximately 0.05 mg kg^?1 dication in a 5-g sample of spiked potato (i.e. 0.25 μg ml^?1 final extract) was achieved. Recoveries of 79.5 to 97.6% were obtained at spiking levels of 0.05 to 5.0 mg kg^?1 for diquat and paraquat with coefficients of variation not greater than 8.27%. The method was developed and validated using ¹⁴C-radiolabelled diquat and paraquat; u.v.-h.p.l.c. recoveries were comparable with recoveries determined by radioassay. Several parameters affecting the extraction, adsorption and chromatography of diquat and paraquat were evaluated. The formula weights of diquat and paraquat were determined and their importance described; they were determined as mono- and tetra-hydrates, respectively.     

Direct measurement of paraquat in leaf protoplasts indicates vacuolar paraquat sequestration as a resistance mechanism in Lolium rigidum

Sequestration of paraquat away from its target site in the chloroplast has been proposed as a mechanism of paraquat resistance. However, no consensus has been reached as to where paraquat is sequestered. This study quantifies paraquat in leaf protoplasts of paraquat resistant (R) and susceptible (S) Lolium rigidum. Intact protoplasts were prepared from plants treated with commercial dose of paraquat for 2 h. Paraquat absorbed by the leaf protoplasts was determined by light absorption of reduced paraquat following concentration and purification using a cation-exchange resin. Leaf protoplasts from treated paraquat resistant plants contained 2- to 3-fold more paraquat than leaf protoplasts isolated from susceptible plants. Since paraquat is not metabolised in L. rigidum and paraquat readily enters chloroplasts of both R and S plants, this greater amount of paraquat in leaf protoplasts of R plant must be kept away from the target site (chloroplast). This result indicates that paraquat resistance in L. rigidum is associated with a cytoplasmic mechanism, most likely a greater rate of vacuolar sequestration.     

Association of double-stranded RNA with whitefly-mediated silvering in squash

A disorder of unknown aetiology appearing as silvering on squash (Cucurbita pepo) leaves has become prevalent in south Florida. Typical symptoms, observed after 2 weeks of exposure to adults of Bemisia tabaci , the sweet potato whitefly (SPWF) include vein clearing followed by silvering of whole leaves. Fruits from affected plants are blanched or streaked longitudinally. The silverleaf syndrome was not mechanically transmissible when crude extracts of symptomatic leaves were used as inoculum. Two sizes of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of c. 4.6 and 4.2 kilobase pairs (kbp) were consistently observed in leaf extracts of caged, whitefly-infested, symptomatic plants. In contrast, caged plants not exposed to whiteflies showed no symptoms and contained no detectable dsRN A. In addition, squash plants exposed to SPWF colonies from California neither developed silverleaf symptoms nor contained any dsRNA. Double-stranded RNA could also be readily detected in whitefly-infested yellow summer squash and zucchini from the field. However, asymptomatic eggplant and watermelon infested with SPWF from nearby fields did not contain detectable dsRNA. Dot-spot hybridization assays using an RNA-specific probe detected homologous sequences in both adults and nymphs of SPWF that induced silverleaf symptoms but not in adults and nymphs of SPWF that could not induce silverleaf symptoms. These results, along with the non-endogenous nature of the detected dsRNA suggest that the dsRNA is or is associated with the causal agent of whitefly-mediated leaf silvering in squash.     

Foliar calcium concentration of potato and its relation to genotype lateness and tolerance of cyst nematodes

In field trials during three years respectively 18, 22 and 57 potato genotypes were grown on soils moderately or heavily infested with potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida) after soils were fumigated or not. Nematode infection increased leaf calcium contents but genotypes that were relatively tolerant of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida) had lower leaf calcium concentrations on a particular sampling date. Tolerance of potato cyst nematodes was closely linked to genotype lateness and may be related to tolerance of drought. When using the method in plant breeding and screening for genotypes with tolerance, plants may be planted in infected or in uninfected soils, without influencing the outcome. The relationship between tolerance and calcium contents was clearest when sampling took place towards the end of the growing season when the variability was at it highest with a good distinction between newly formed leaves in late maturing genotypes and aged leaves in early maturing cultivars.     

Paraquat-resistant biotypes of Hordeum glaucum from zero-tillage wheat

There has been a significant increase in the area seeded to minimum- and zero-tilled crops worldwide over the past two decades. These cropping systems rely primarily on the non-selective herbicides glyphosate or paraquat/diquat to control weeds before seeding the crop. Both glyphosate and paraquat/diquat are regarded as low-risk herbicides in the ability of target weeds to develop resistance to them. Following 10–15 years of once annual applications of paraquat and diquat for weed control in zero-tilled cereals, failure of these herbicides to control Hordeum glaucum Steud. in two separate fields occurred. Dose–response experiments demonstrated high-level resistance to paraquat and diquat in both populations; however, the resistant biotypes are susceptible to other herbicides. This is the first report, worldwide, of paraquat resistance following the use of this herbicide in zero-tillage cropping systems and is therefore a harbinger of future problems in minimum-tillage systems when there is exclusive reliance on a contact herbicide for weed control.     

Effect of different levels of mannitol-induced water stress on the tolerance of cultivated oat (Avena sativa L.) to didofop-methyl

The effect of degree of water stress in Avena sativa on diclofop-methyl efficacy was assessed. Within 24 h of applying stress by adding mannitol to the root medium (0 to 12.5%), the rate of leaf extension of the youngest leaves (leaves 3 and 4) decreased with increasing mannitol concentration. Without water stress, application of diclofop-methyl had little effect on extension rate of leaves 3 and 4 during the first 4 days after spraying. Subsequently, it caused a significant decrease in the extension rate of leaf 4 with more pronounced effects on later leaves. Diclofop-methyl had little effect on leaf extension rate of plants given mannitol. Shoot dry weight at harvest for unsprayed plants decreased with increased mannitol concentration and for sprayed plants it was greater without mannitol than with mannitol (all levels). However, at mannitol concentrations greater than 4%, shoot dry weight for sprayed and unsprayed plants was not significantly different. Sprayed plants exposed to 2–8.5% mannitol produced seed heads but those at zero mannitol did not. When the root medium of all treatments was flushed of mannitol one week after spraying, then main-tained without mannitol, shoot dry weight at harvest for unsprayed plants decreased slightly with increased mannitol concentration applied initially. However, shoot dry weight for sprayed plants increased with increased mannitol concentration. Without mannitol two weeks after spraying, chlorophyll concentrations of leaves 3 and 4 were greater and water saturation deficit (WSD) values were lower for unsprayed plants than sprayed plants but there were no differences at 6.2% mannitol. It is proposed that tolerance to diclofop-methyl by A. sativa as a result of water stress, is primarily due to a decreased rate of leaf expansion resulting in lower demand for membrane synthesis and less strain on membranes damaged by the herbicide.     

Resistance to paraquat in Hordeum glaucum is temperature dependent and not associated with enhanced apoplasmic binding

Response to paraquat was investigated in two Hordeum glaucum Steud. (wall barley) biotypes grown at warm (30^C) and cool (15^C) temperatures. Paraquat-resistant (R) plants were nearly seven-fold more tolerant when grown at 15^C than when grown at 3CPC. In contrast, there was a tendency for susceptible (S) plants to be more tolerant when grown at the higher temperature. The difference in response between the two biotypes grown at 30^ and 15^C increased from 3- to >40-fold. Forty-eight hours after foliar application, 62% less radiolabelled paraquat had translocated basipetally in the R compared with the S biotype. In addition, 26% more herbicide was retained within the treated zone of R compared with S plants. Thus, paraquat movement was restricted in the R biotype. It has been postulated that reduced mobility of the herbicide in the R plants is due to enhanced apoplasmic binding. In this study, paraquat binding to the cell walls and its release into the external solution was investigated in roots of R and S biotypes of H. glaucum grown under warm or cool conditions. No significant differences between the two biotypes were measured at either growth temperature. We propose that the mechanism of resistance to paraquat may involve a temperature-dependent alteration in symplasmic transport of the herbicide.     

FACTORS AFFECTING THE PHYTOTOXICITY OF PARAQUAT*

Summary. Temperatures of 5–6° C delayed leaf necrosis of glasshouse-grown oats (Avena sativa), winter peas (Pisum sativum), huisache (Acacia farnesiana), mesquite (Prosopis julijiora var. glandutosa), live oak (Quercus virginiana) and yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) for at least 48 hr after treatment with paraquat as compared with higher temperatures. After 96 hr, oats, winter peas, huisache and mesquite at 5° C usually showed as much necrosis as plants at 24–28° C. Similar results were obtained with live oak and yaupon, and with yaupon in the field, except that longer periods were sometimes required for plants at low temperatures to develop injury comparable with that at higher temperatures. Washing yaupon and live oak leaves 1 hr after application reduced the effectiveness of paraquat regardless of temperature, but washing winter peas 10 min after application had little or no effect on phytotoxicity. Field-grown mesquite showed extensive leaf necrosis when leaves were washed after 20 min, live oak leaves similarly treated and washed were not injured, while the response of winged elm (Ulmus alata) was intermediate. Percentage leaf necrosis of mesquite, winged elm, yaupon and live oak increased with increasing paraquat concentration; 6–9 μg/leaf on mesquite and 20 μg/leaf on winged elm gave 100% necrosis after 4 days. Complete leaf necrosis of live oak and yaupon was not attained during this period even with 80 μg/Ieaf. Nursery-grown mesquite, yaupon and greenbriar (Smilax bona-nox) and natural stands of yaupon were treated at two growth stages, in March and May. Paraquat was more effective on mesquite when applied in May, but there were no differences with the other species. Facteurs affectant la toxicité du paraquat     

A comparative study on Striga hermonthica interaction with a sensitive and a tolerant sorghum cultivar

In this study, the effects of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. on a sensitive and a tolerant sorghum genotype were investigated, and the underlying tolerance mechanisms were distinguished. The sensitive sorghum cv. CK60-B and the tolerant sorghum landrace Tiemarifing were grown in pots with and without seed infestation. Both sorghum genotypes responded to infection by the parasite, but it was evident that CK60-B was more strongly affected than Tiemarifing. Sorghum plant height, final leaf number, green leaf area, kernel yield, number of kernels and 1000-kernel weight were significantly reduced by infection, which also had a marked effect on the phenological development of CK60-B; the majority of the plants remained vegetative and, in the remaining plants, flowering was delayed by about 2 weeks. No effect on the phenological development of Tiemarifing was observed. The tolerant landrace showed significantly lower and delayed emergence of S. hermonthica than the sensitive cultivar, and this could be explained by a delay in the onset of attachment. Significantly higher numbers of reproductive parasitic plants were found in the pots with the sensitive sorghum plants. It is concluded that differences in root architecture and the resulting early infection and higher S. hermonthica numbers are partly responsible for the stronger effects of the parasite on the sensitive cultivar.