Fluazifop-butyl causes membrane peroxidation in the herbicide-susceptible broad leaf weed bristly starbur (Acanthospermum hispidum)

In order to clarify the action mechanism of fluazifop-butyl, an aryloxyphenoxypropionate (AOPP) herbicide in bristly starbur (Acanthospermum hispidum DC.), a unique fluazifop-butyl-susceptible broad-leaved weed, ethylene evolution and membrane lipid peroxidation in the plant seedlings were investigated. Foliar application of fluazifop-P-butyl induced ethylene evolution only from bristly starbur, but not from oat (Avena sativa L.), another fluazifop-butyl-susceptible species, and two tolerant species, pea (Pisum sativum L.) and hairy beggarticks (Bidens pilosa L.). The other AOPP herbicides, quizalofop-ethyl and fenoxaprop-ethyl, and a cyclohexanedione (CHD) herbicide, sethoxydim, did not enhance ethylene production from bristly starbur. This fluazifop-butyl-induced ethylene production in bristly starbur was completely suppressed by aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase inhibitor, but not by p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (PCIB), an anti-auxin compound, suggesting this evolved ethylene was not auxin-induced. Phytotoxic action by fluazifop-P-butyl (5 μM) in bristly starbur was reduced markedly by two lipid-soluble antioxidants, vitamin E, and ethoxyquin. The ethylene production from the plant was also inhibited by these two antioxidants. Content of malondialdehyde, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, increased only by fluazifop-P-butyl in bristly starbur seedlings but not in oat, and this increase was inhibited by ethoxyquin. These results strongly suggest that the primary site of action for fluazifop-butyl in bristly starbur is on the membranes and active oxygen species and/or free radicals are involved in peroxidation. Ethylene evolution is probably induced by these reactive oxygen species.