Nitro free radical formation of diphenyl ether herbicides is not necessary for their toxic action

The diphenyl ether herbicides MC 15608 {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-chloromethylbenzoate} and MC 10878 {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]methyl benzoate} are structurally similar to acifluorfen-methyl (methyl ester of 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-nitrobenzoic acid), except that the NO₂ is replaced by a Cl and H, respectively. These diphenyl ether herbicides required light for herbicide toxicity to the green unicellular alga Chlamydomonas eugametos and three major weeds (Xanthium pennsylvanicum, Abutilon theophrasti, and Ipomoea sp.). Acifluorfen-methyl and MC 15608 toxicity in Chlamydomonas decreased in an atmosphere of nitrogen, and in the presence of the free radical scavengers α-tocopherol and ethanol. Therefore, the mechanism of toxic action of these three different diphenyl ether herbicides is similar and appears to involve some type of free radical reaction. As confirmed by cyclic voltammetry studies, MC 15608 and MC 10878, unlike AFM, cannot readily accept electrons to become free radicals. Therefore, initiation of free radical reactions in polyunsaturated fatty acids of membranes does not necessarily involve direct reduction and reoxidation of the diphenyl ether molecule.     

Effects of propanil on growth and cell constituents of Nostoc calcicola

The rice field herbicide, propanil, was toxic to the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc calcicola. A decrease in growth was observed with the increasing concentrations of propanil, 30 μg/ml being lethal. Since toxicity of the herbicide could be reversed by exogeneous supplementation of assimilable organic carbon glucose, it is suggested that carbon fixation was sensitive to the herbicide. The herbicide inhibited heterocyst differentiation and nitrogen fixation. There was a rapid decrease in total protein, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), and carbohydrate content accompanied by a loss of photosynthetic pigments. The phycocyanin: chlorophyll a ratio showed positive correlation with increased dosages of the herbicide, suggesting the inhibition of chlorophyll a.     

Differential morphological and physiological responses of two oilseed Brassica species to a new herbicide ZJ0273 used in rapeseed fields

Weeds are considered as a major threat to the production of oilseed Brassica crops. The use of herbicides that are safe for crops and effective in controlling weeds is crucial for the agronomists and farmers. Propyl 4-(2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yloxy)benzylamino)benzoate (ZJ0273), a derivative of 2-pyrimidinyloxy-N-aryl benzoate, is a new herbicide used in the rapeseed field. To evaluate the tolerance of Brassica species against this new herbicide, two cultivars of rapeseed Brassica napus cv. ZS 758 and Brassica rapa cv. Xiaoyoucai were tested by a foliar spray of ZJ0273 at the rate of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/L and a currently used ALS (acetolactate synthase)-inhibiting herbicide bispyribac-sodium (BS) at the rate of 100 mg/L. The results showed that both the cultivars of Brassica were less affected by ZJ0273 as compared to BS. Increasing level of ZJ0273 herbicide from 100 to 1000 mg/L increased the stress for the plants of both the cultivars as indicated by enhanced accumulation of malondialdehyde content. The activities of ALS and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and peroxidase), soluble protein and sugar contents, photosynthetic system (SPAD value, photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll fluorescence) as well as the agronomic characters also declined consistently with each successive increase in ZJ0273 concentration. In general, the plants treated with 100 mg/L ZJ0273 recovered from the herbicide stress after 28 days. B. napus showed more tolerance than B. rapa to the new herbicide. Nevertheless, BS application at 100 mg/L did not allow the plants of both the cultivars to recover from the herbicidal stress.     

Exogenous application of triadimefon affects the antioxidant defense system of Withania somnifera Dunal

Triadimefon is a triazole derivative, which have plant growth regulator properties. However, the influential mechanism of triadimefon on medicinal plants like Withania somnifera is not much studied. In the present investigation, the effects triadimefon at 10 mg L⁻¹ on the germination, early seedling growth, photosynthetic pigments, non-enzymatic antioxidant contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes were studied in W. somnifera Dunal plants. The germination percentage was not much affected by treatments and early seedling growth was reduced in terms of shoot length and leaf area but root length got increased with a concomitant enhancement in chlorophyll contents. The non-enzymatic antioxidants like ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione and α-tocopherol were increased in all parts (root, stem and leaf) of the seedlings. Triadimefon treatment caused an increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and catalase. From our results it can be concluded that, the triadimefon can be used as a potential tool to enhance the antioxidant potential in medicinal plant W. somnifera.     

Changes in composition of chlorophylls,carotenoids, and prenylquinones in green seedlings of Hordeum and Raphanus induced by the herbicide San 6706—an effect possibly antagonistic to phytochrome action

The substituted pyridazinone herbicide San 6706 (4-chloro-5-(dimethylamino)-2-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-tolyl)-3-(2H)-pyridazinone) inhibits accumulation of chlorophylls and carotenoids to about the same degree in Hordeum and Raphanus seedlings under continuous illumination. Stronger inhibition of pigment accumulation in general is correlated with a stronger inhibition of the prenylquinones plastoquinone-9,α-tocopherol, and α-tocoquinone; but the amounts of inhibition are much lower for the prenylquinones. Such an inhibition pattern, which is observed in the two plants of different ages and when different herbicide concentrations are applied, points to a site of action which regulates the biosynthesis of these prenyllipids together. There is a different degree in the change of the relative proportions (percentages of herbicide-treated plants as related to the respective control values) of the single carotenoids induced by the herbicide. In this sense there was the highest increase for zeaxanthin and lowest for β-carotene both in Hordeum and Raphanus. The order of relative change of the carotenoids analyzed is about the same as in etiolated barley seedlings of equal age illuminated with white light—but with an opposite sign. The relative proportions of the benzoquinones might be changed in an analogous way. It is suggested, that with respect to carotenoid synthesis and perhaps also benzoquinone synthesis San 6706 acts on the same reaction chain like phytochrome but in an antagonistic way, possibly at the cytoplasmic ribosomes.     

Activation of paraquat in the earthworm Allolobophora chlorotica is mediated by NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase activities

This study reports that earthworms, Allolobophora chlorotica, are capable of biotransforming paraquat, a toxic herbicide, resulting in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We found that in earthworms the reduction of paraquat is mediated by NADPH- and NADH-cytochrome c reductase activities. The formation of superoxide anion (O₂⁻) from the incubation of paraquat with the earthworm extracts was demonstrated by using both Cypridina luciferin analog (CLA) chemiluminescence and the SOD-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction reaction. In addition, in vivo exposure of earthworms to paraquat in solution (24 and 48 h) was performed to investigate whether or not the herbicide affects the levels of the NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase activities. Although in vitro NADPH-cytochrome c reductase reduces paraquat more easily than the NADH-dependent activity, after the in vivo exposure an increase of NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity(s) by 12% compared to control values was observed, whereas NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity was not affected. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an enzyme implicated in paraquat toxicity, however, no XO was detected in earthworm extracts nor hypoxanthine was a source of electrons for the herbicide reduction. For comparative reasons menadione, a redox cycling quinone, was also incubated with the earthworm extracts. It was found that the incubation of menadione with earthworm extracts formed about two times more (O₂⁻) than with paraquat. It is concluded that the exposure of paraquat to earthworms could elicit radical formation and consequently toxic effects via oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms. The reduction of paraquat by the reductases leads to the formation of paraquat radical, which reacts with molecular oxygen, accounting for the formation of superoxide anion. Further studies are required to conclude that the observed increase of NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity(s) should be used as a biomarker for paraquat exposure in earthworms.     

Mitochondrial involvement in the mode of action of acifluorfen

The herbicidal action of acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid} was studied with greened and expanded discs from cotyledons of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Discs were floated on various treatment solutions for 20 hr in darkness before exposure to 400 μE m^?2 sec^?1 of white light. Herbicide damage, as measured by electrolyte leakage, began in the light after a 1- to 2-hr lag period. Cytochemical methods at the ultrastructural level indicated that acifluorfen caused marked increases in production of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide in the mitochondrion, but not in the plastid. The mitochondrial inhibitors antimycin A, rotenone, CCCP, and DNP antagonized the action of acifluorfen, lengthening the lag period and reducing the rate of electrolyte leakage. Ethanol, α-tocopherol, N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyl)ethyl]-N′-phenylurea, and copper-penicillin also lengthened the lag phase and slowed the rate of damage, indicating that acifluorfen damage involves toxic oxygen species. PS II-inhibiting levels of DCMU, atrazine, or bentazon did not affect acifluorfen-induced ion leakage. Yellow tissue produced by treatment with tentoxin was supersensitive to acifluorfen, but white tissue produced by treatment with norflurazon was relatively insensitive. These data indicate that, after an initial carotenoid-acifluorfen interaction, the mitochondrion is involved in production of toxic oxygen species and that this process is closely tied to the mechanism of action of this herbicide.     

Ameliorative effects of Mesorhizobium sp. MRC4 on chickpea yield and yield components under different doses of herbicide stress

The present study was conducted to assess the plant growth promoting activities of Mesorhizobium sp. in the presence of technical grade herbicides and its ameliorating effects on herbicide toxicity to chickpea grown in herbicide treated soils. The quizalafop-p-ethyl and clodinafop-tolerant Mesorhizobium isolate MRC4 recovered from the nodules of chickpea plants significantly produced IAA, siderophores, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia in medium amended with or without technical grade quizalafop-p-ethyl and clodinafop. Quizalafop-p-ethyl at 40, 80 and 120 μg kg⁻¹ soil and clodinafop at 400, 800 and 1200 μg kg⁻¹ soil in general, decreased the growth attributes of chickpea plants inoculated with Mesorhizobium MRC4 and un-inoculated chickpeas. The three concentrations of quizalafop-p-ethyl were comparatively more toxic and substantially decreased biomass, nodulation and leghaemoglobin content, nutrient uptake, seed yield and grain protein over the un-inoculated chickpea. Interestingly, Mesorhizobium isolate MRC4 with any concentration of the two herbicides significantly increased the measured parameters when compared to the plants grown in soils treated solely (without inoculant) with similar concentration of each herbicide. Conclusively, Mesorhizobium isolate MRC4 could be exploited as bio-inoculant for facilitating chickpea growth under herbicide stress.     

Plant growth regulators induced changes in antioxidant potential and andrographolide content in Andrographis paniculata Wall.ex Nees

In this study, 5 μM ABA and GA₃ concentration were used to study the effect of these growth regulators on the andrographolide content and antioxidant potentials of Andrographis paniculata. The growth regulators were applied by means of foliar spray during morning hours. A significant enhancement in non-enzymatic antioxidant contents was observed in all sampling days in A.paniculata plants under ABA and GA₃ treatments. Ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol content was increased significantly under the growth regulator treatments in leaves, stem and roots of A. paniculata. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were increased by ABA and GA₃ treatments in the leaves, stem and roots of A. paniculata plants. The HPLC analysis was used to quantify the andrographolide content in control and growth regulator treated plants. The growth regulators ABA and GA₃ treated plants showed increased contents of andrographolide when compared to control.     

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.     

The toxicity of herbicides to non-target aquatic plants and algae: assessment of predictive factors and hazard

Widely used herbicides sometimes inadvertently contaminate surface waters. In this study we evaluate the toxicity of herbicides to aquatic plants and algae and relate it to environmental herbicide concentrations and exposure scenarios, herbicide formulation and mode of action. This was done experimentally for ten herbicides, using the aquatic macrophyte Lemna minor L. and the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) Hindak, supplemented with a database study comprising algae toxicity data for 146 herbicides. The laboratory study showed that herbicide formulations in general did not enhance herbicide efficacy in the aquatic environment. The Roundup formulation of glyphosate proved to be the only exception, decreasing the EC(50) of the technical product for both L. minor and P. subcapitata approximately fourfold. Comparison of the sensitivity of L. minor and P. subcapitata revealed up to 1000-fold higher sensitivity of L. minor for the herbicides categorized as weak acids (pK(a) < 5), emphasizing the importance of higher plants in hazard assessment. Database analyses showed that no herbicide group, categorized by site of action, was significantly more toxic than another. Synthetic auxins were the exception as they are virtually non-toxic to unicellular algae. There was no strong correlation between toxicity to algae and K(ow) of the herbicides, not even within groups having the same site of action. Evaluating all data, few herbicides were toxic at concentrations below 1 microg l(-1), which is the 99.9th percentile of the herbicide concentrations measured in the Danish surveillance programme. Joint action of several herbicides cannot however be excluded.     

Synergistic and antagonistic effects of atrazine on the toxicity of organophosphorodithioate and organophosphorothioate insecticides to Chironomus tentans (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The acute toxicities of two organophosphorodithioate (dimethoate and disulfoton) and two organophosphorothioate (omethoate and demeton-S-methyl) insecticides were evaluated individually and in binary combination with the herbicide atrazine using fourth-instar larvae of the aquatic midge, Chironomus tentans. Atrazine alone up to 1000 μg/L did not show significant toxicity to the midges in a 48-h bioassay. However, atrazine concentrations as low as 1 μg/L in combination with dimethoate at EC₂₅ (concentration to affect 25% of tested midges), 100 μg/L in combination with disulfoton (EC₂₅), and 10 μg/L in combination with demeton-S-methyl (EC₂₅) significantly enhanced the toxicity of each organophosphate insecticide. In contrast, atrazine concentrations of 10 μg/L and above in combination with omethoate (EC₂₅) significantly decreased the toxicity of the insecticide. Biochemical analysis indicated that increased toxicity of dimethoate, disulfoton, and demeton-S-methyl in binary combination with atrazine correlated to the increased inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Furthermore, cytochrome P450-dependent O-deethylation activity in the midges exposed to atrazine at 1000 μg/L was 1.5-fold higher than that in the control midges. Thus, atrazine appeared to induce cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in the midges. Elevated cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity may increase the toxicities of dimethoate, disulfoton, and demeton-S-methyl by enhancing the oxidative activation of dimethoate into omethoate, and disulfoton and demeton-S-methyl into their sulfoxide analogs with increased anticholinesterase activity. In contrast, atrazine reduced the toxicity of omethoate possibly by enhancing the oxidative metabolic detoxification since omethoate does not require oxidative activation.     

Metabolism of 2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl-7 N-methyl-N-(2-toluenesulfenyl)carbamate in the housefly and white mouse

The metabolism of a new, selectively toxic derivative of carbofuran, 2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl-7 N-methyl-N-(2-toluenesulfenyl)carbamate has been investigated. The selective toxicity between insect and mammal is due to differing pathways of metabolism. Houseflies appear peculiarly suited for the rapid liberation of the toxic agent, carbofuran, from N-(2-toluenesulfenyl) carbofuran in large amounts. Metabolism in the mouse is more complex and involves a series of oxidative and hydrolytic detoxication processes which do not result in the formation of carbofuran.     

Relative sensitivity of duckweed Lemna minor and six algae to seven herbicides

We investigated the relative sensitivity of duckweed Lemna minor and six species of algae to seven herbicides, using an efficient high-throughput microplate-based toxicity assay. First, we assessed the sensitivity of L. minor to the seven herbicides, and then we compared its sensitivity to that of previously published data for six algal species based on EC₅₀ values. For five herbicides, the most sensitive species differed: L. minor was most sensitive to cyclosulfamuron: Raphidocelis subcapitata was most sensitive to pretilachlor and esprocarb: Desmodesmus subspicatus was most sensitive to pyraclonil; and Navicula pelliculosa was most sensitive to pyrazoxyfen. Simetryn was evenly toxic to all species, whereas 2,4-D was evenly less toxic, with only small differences in species sensitivity. These results suggested that a single algal species cannot represent the sensitivity of the primary producer assemblage to a given herbicide. Therefore, to assess the ecological effects of herbicides, aquatic plant and multispecies algal toxicity data sets are essential.     

Biological responses of a non‐target aquatic plant (Nasturtium officinale) to the herbicide,tribenuron‐methyl

To assess its response to the herbicide, tribenuron‐methyl, samples of Nasturtium officinale were exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg L^?1 of tribenuron‐methyl for 1, 2, 4 and 7 days. The influence of this herbicide on the relative growth rate, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, photosynthetic pigmentation, protein content, and performance of anti‐oxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), was examined. The results indicated that tribenuron‐methyl, applied at 0.5 mg L^?1, affected plant growth negatively. It also was determined that chlorophyll a is the most responsive photosynthetic pigment to tribenuron–methyl exposure. Under stress conditions, the anti‐oxidant enzymes were up‐regulated compared to the control. The SOD activity was significantly stimulated, while the activity of APX was inhibited. A significant correlation was found between lipid peroxidation and SOD activity. The exposure period and herbicide concentration had significant effects on the biological responses against tribenuron‐methyl stress. These results may be useful for clarifying the effect of herbicides on non‐target aquatic plants.     

Quinone accumulation in S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate-treated wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Holley) was grown for 15 days in sand into which S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC) (0, 15.6, 31.25, 62.5, or 125.0 μg/kg) had been incorporated. Growth was decreased more by EPTC under high light intensity (270 μein/m²/sec) than under low light (20 μein/m²/sec) intensity. Wheat grown in the dark did not respond to EPTC at these concentrations. In high light intensity, plastoquinone-9, plastohydroquinone-9, α-tocopheroquinone, and α-tocopherol contents (nanomoles per gram fresh weight) increased as EPTC concentration increased. Similar but less marked results occurred at the low light intensity. Plastohydroquinone-9/plastoquinone and α-tocopherol/α-tocopheroquinone ratios increased at both light intensities as EPTC concentration increased. This indicated an EPTC-induced inhibition of plastohydroquinone and α-tocopherol epoxidation. Chlorophyll a and b and total carotenoid contents increased as EPTC concentration increased in plants grown at high light intensities. Changes in the membrane electron carriers contents per unit of chlorophyll or carotenoid (micrograms per milligram of pigment) occurred. As a tentative hypothesis, it is suggested that transmembrane electron transport systems were inhibited, but growth in size (fresh weight per pot) was inhibited more than was synthesis of the various pigments and quinones. Thus, a separation of growth and metabolic response to EPTC was demonstrated.     

Synthesis and insecticidal activities of pyridine ring derivatives of podophyllotoxin

In an attempt to find the biorational pesticides, we synthesized 12 pyridinyl derivatives of podophyllotoxin (PPT) and 4′-demthylepipodophylltoxin (4′-DMEP) in this study. Their structures and the α/β substitution at C-4 were confirmed by ¹H NMR, IR, MS spectral analyses and elemental analysis. The insecticidal activities were tested against fifth-instar larvae of Pieris rapae and the third-instar larvae of Cullex pipiens pallens at concentrations of 250 and 10 μg ml⁻¹. Four derivatives of PPT, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.5, showed higher insecticidal activities against P. rapae than PPT, while three derivatives of PPT, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6, displayed higher mosquito larvicidal activity than PPT, with LC₅₀ values of 1.66, 3.96 and 1.54 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Interestingly, we also found that the pyridine ring derivatives of PPT showed delayed insecticidal activity, which is different from traditional neurotic insecticides. The results suggest that 4′-OCH₃ in the PPT derivatives is essential to keep the insecticidal activity and the insecticidal activities of pyridine ring derivatives of PPT are higher than that of the derivatives of 4′-DMEP, supporting PPT has the potential to be a lead structure of semi-synthetic insecticides.     

Phytotoxicity of Roundup Ultra 360 SL in aquatic ecosystems: Biochemical evaluation with duckweed (Lemna minor L.) as a model plant

Glyphosate-based herbicides (e.g. Roundup Ultra 360 SL) are extensively used in aquatic environment. Although glyphosate is more environmental favorable than many other herbicides, it may be exceptionally dangerous for aquatic ecosystems through high water solubility. Thus, the aim of the work was quantification of influence of Roundup Ultra 360 SL (containing isopropylamine salt of glyphosate as an active ingredient) on biomass and chlorophyll content within duckweed (Lemna minor L.). Moreover, changes in polyamine content and activity of such antioxidative enzymes as catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were assayed in order to determine the biochemical mechanisms of L. minor response to the herbicide treatment. Obtained results showed that phytotoxicity of the herbicide was connected with decrease in chlorophyll-a, b and a+b content, and reduction of biomass growth. Roundup, similarly to some abiotic and biotic stressors, caused over-accumulation of putrescine, spermidine and total polyamines (PAs) within duckweed tissues. In addition an increase in CAT and APX activities suggested that stress generated by the herbicide treatment was at least partially connected with oxidative burst. Intensity of the duckweed responses to the herbicide was dependent on the applied herbicide level and/or duration of treatment.     

Effects of ametryn [2-(ethylamino)-4-(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine] on nitrate reductase activity and nitrite content of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The objectives of this study were to show that: (a) a herbicide, such as ametryn, which interferes with the photosynthetic electron transport system, causes nitrite to accumulate in illuminated leaves and (b) that nitrite is toxic and contributes to the herbicidal damage and death of the plant. Tests were conducted on wheat seedlings grown on 5 mM nitrate, 5 mM ammonia, and zero nitrogen. Ametryn treatment decreased in vivo and in vitro nitrate reductase activity (NRA) within a 26-hr period. In vivo NRA decreased more rapidly than in vitro NRA. Compared with control tissue, only 3% in vivo NRA remained at the end of 26 hr. The in vivo assay conducted in light confirmed the inhibition of photosynthetic electron flow by ametryn within the leaf tissue. Nitrate-grown, ametryn-treated plants accumulated nitrite and, after 10 days were the only plants that were completely desiccated and dead. Ammonia- and zero-nitrogen, ametryn-treated plants did not accumulate nitrite, were only partially chlorotic after the 10-day period, and were still living. Low levels of NO_(X) (NO₂ and/or NO) emissions were demonstrated by nitrate-grown ametryn-treated plants.     

Inducing a possible state of senescence in developing barley seedlings by applying the α-chloroacetamide propachlor

Propachlor (5, 50, 500 M) applied to the roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings after 7 and 10 days, respectively, induces decreasing accumulation of fresh matter and dry matter; shoot length and root length are reduced. There was observed higher Hill activity, but lower O₂-evolution per unit dry weight and per seedling as calculated from Hill measurements. In the herbicide treated seedlings lower amounts of chlorophylls and carotenoids were found with decreasing ratios of chlorophylls/carotenoids and higher ratios of xanthophylls/β-carotene. The ratios of chlorophyll a/benzoquinones decreased with regard to the control data. The accumulation of the single benzoquinones (on a chlorophyll basis), as related to the respective control values, is greater for α-tocopherol, less for plastoquinone-9 and even less for α-tocoquinone. From the data obtained it is assumed that propachlor induces a state of senescence in the chloroplast. Propachlor seems to antagonize the known effects of exogenous indol-3-acetic acid. Questions of interaction of herbicide/phytohormone in this connection are discussed.