The effect of CDAA (N,N,-diallyl-2-chloroacetamide) pretreatments on subsequent CDAA injury to corn (Zea mays L.)

The effects of CDAA (N,N-diallyl-2-chloroacetamide) pretreatment on subsequent CDAA injury to corn were examined and compared with the effects of the herbicide protectant R-25788 (N,N,-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide). In addition, the effects of CDAA pretreatment on subsequent CDAA metabolism were determined. It was found that 5μM CDAA protected corn from injury by 200 μM CDAA when given as a 2.5- or 1-day pretreatment. R-25788 at similar concentrations did not protect corn from subsequent R-25788 injury. Pretreatment with CDAA increased GSH levels of corn roots by 61% within 1 day, and these levels did not increase with a longer 2.5-day pretreatment with CDAA. GSH-S-transferase activity was assayed spectrophotometrically using CDNB (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). A 1-day pretreatment with CDAA increased the root GSH-S-transferase activity by 35%, but did not affect shoot GSH-S-transferase activity. A 2.5-day pretreatment resulted in a 50% increase in root GSH-S-transferase activity but no response of the shoot enzyme was observed. Even longer pretreatments with CDAA did not result in any further increases in enzyme activity. When corn roots pretreated with CDAA for 2.5 days were excised and incubated with radiolabeled CDAA, they exhibited greater rates of uptake and metabolism than did nonpretreated roots. With in vitro studies, a fairly high rate of nonenzymatic degradation of CDAA was observed. However, the enzymatic rate was always double that of the nonenzymatic rate under the experimental conditions used. It is concluded that elevations in the GSH levels and GSH-S-transferase activities of corn roots following CDAA pretreatments may be involved in the protection of corn from subsequent CDAA injury.     

Comparative metabolism of atrazine and EPTC in proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and corn

The purpose of this study was to examine the differential activities of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) with respect to atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-S-triazine] and EPTC (S-ethyldipropyl thiocarbamate) metabolism. GSH-S-transferase was isolated from proso millet shoots and roots. When assayed spectrophotometrically using CDNB (1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene) as a substrate, the shoot enzyme had only 10% of the activity of corn shoot enzyme while the root enzyme had 33% the activity of corn root enzyme. However, when proso millet shoot GSH-S-transferase was assayed in vitro using ¹⁴C-ring-labeled atrazine, it degraded the atrazine to water-soluble products at the same rate as the corn shoot enzyme. Incubation of excised proso millet and corn roots with [¹⁴C]EPTC indicated that uptake of EPTC was similar in both plants. However, proso millet metabolized the EPTC to water-soluble products at only half the rate of corn. Glutathione levels of proso millet roots were 35.9 μg GSH/g fresh wt, compared with 65.4 μg GSH/g fresh wt for corn. However, a 2.5-day pretreatment with R-25788 (N,N-diallyl-2-2-dichloroacetamide) elevated proso millet GSH levels to 62.7 μg GSH/g fresh wt. R-25788 did not elevate the activity of proso millet GSH-S-transferase, in contrast to its effects on corn. We conclude that differences in response to atrazine and EPTC in proso millet and corn are a result of their differential metabolism.     

Salicylic acid induced alleviation of oxidative stress caused by clethodim in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves

Salicylic acid is used for regulation of oxidative stress in plants subjected to unfavorable environmental conditions. Application of herbicides for the purpose of weed killing can affect not only the weeds but also the main crop as well. Many herbicides have the ability to cause oxidative stress and further degradation of cell components. In this work, SA was used to alleviate the oxidative stress caused in response to clethodim herbicide in maize leaves. The results demonstrated that, spraying of clethodim caused yellowing of leaves and sometimes browning or drying of leaf tips with high clethodim doses. Contrary, leaves showed no injuries when treated with 1 mM SA 3 days prior clethodim application. Elevated amounts of H₂O₂ and MDA were detected in clethodim treated leaves compared with control indicating ROS formation and lipid peroxidation. Excessive ROS formation led to oxidative stress which followed by degradation of membranous structures. In SA treated leaves, the contents of H₂O₂ and MDA were more or less similar to the corresponding controls. A change in the antioxidant enzymes activities due to clethodim and SA treatment was noticed. For example, the activities of POD and APX were induced while SOD and CAT were more or less reduced in response to clethodim. SA treatment prior clethodim application could induce POD but inhibit CAT. Moreover, SOD and APX activities were adjusted to be similar to those of the control. Another mechanism of SA regulation of the oxidative stress occurred through the formation of antioxidants in the form of phenolic compounds. For that, spraying SA with or without clethodim could accumulate phenolic compounds greatly. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay for leaf extracts had confirmed a change in antioxidant status. Furthermore, SA could enhance accumulation of total proteins and free amino acids in clethodim and SA treated leaves compared with the control. This work was to provide evidence for the ability of SA to regulate clethodim herbicide detoxification through regulation of the antioxidant status of maize leaf cells.     

Comparative responses of selected corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids to EPTC and metolachlor

Eleven corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids were evaluated in terms of their growth response to treatment with a high rate (6.7 kg ha^?1) of the thiocarbamate herbicide, EPTC, and the chloroacetanilide herbicide, metolachlor. Most of the tested hybrids were more susceptible to treatment with metolachlor than EPTC. It was apparent that the degree of tolerance observed for one of these herbicides was not necessarily matched by a similar degree of tolerance to the other. No correlation between glutathione content and herbicide tolerance was observed for the 11 hybrids tested. A relationship between glutathione S–transferase (GST) activity and metolachlor tolerance was suggested by this study. In general, higher GST activities were characteristic of the more tolerant hybrids. The monooxygenase inhibitor, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), in combination with EPTC resulted in a synergistic effect on eight of the eleven tested hybrids. PBO acted synergistically in combination with metolachlor on only two hybrids and to a lesser extent than with EPTC. Soil treatment with the oxygen evolving compound, calcium peroxide, appeared to have an antagonistic effect on the growth response of ‘Northrup–King 9283’ corn treated with EPTC. In contrast the same treatment had a synergistic effect on the growth response of this hybrid to metolachlor. Both the synergism of EPTC by PBO and the antagonism by calcium peroxide are believed to be due to the importance of monooxygenase activity in the metabolism of EPTC. Tolerance to EPTC is consequently more likely to be influenced by oxidative reactions than is tolerance to metolachlor. Réponses comparées d'hybrides sélectionnés de mai's (Zea mays) a l'EPTC et au métolachlor Onze hybrides de mai's (Zea mays) ont étéétudiés en regard de leur croissance suite à un traitement à une dose é1evée (6.7 kg ha^?1) de 1'herbicide thiocarbamate, EPTC et de 1'herbicide chloroacétanilide, métolachlor. La plupart des hybrides testés étaient plus sensibles au métolachlor qu' à l'EPTC. II est apparu que le degré de tolérance observé pour 1'un de ces herbicides n'était pas nécessairement accompagné par un degré similaire de tolérance pour 1'autre. Aucune corrélation entre la teneur en glutathion et la tolérance herbicide n'a été observée pour les 11 hybrides testés. Une relation entre 1'activité de la glutathion S–trans–férase (GST) et la tolérance au métolachlor a été suggérée par cette étude. En général les activités GST plus élevées étaient caractéristiques des hybrides les plus tolérants. L'inhibiteur monooxygénase, le pipéronyl butoxide (BPO) en mélange avec l'EPTC a abouti a un effet synergique sur 8 des 11 hybrides testés. PBO a agis en synergic en mélange avec le métolachlor chez seulement 2 hybrides et à une échelle moindre qu'avec 1'EPTC. Un traitement du sol avec un composé oxygéné, du calcium peroxyde, est apparu avoir un effet antagoniste sur la croisance du mai's ‘Northrup–King 9283’ traitéà l'EPTC. Au contraire, le même traitement a eu un effet de synergie sur la croissance de cet hybride traité au métolachlor. Tant la synergie entre l'EPTC et le PBO, que l'antagonisme avec le calcium peroxidé semblent être liés à l'importance de l'activité monoxygenase dans le métabolisme de l'EPTC. La tolérance à l'EPTC est en conséquence plus étroitement influencée par les réactions oxydantes que la tolérance au métolachlor. Reaktion ausgewählter Mais-Hybriden (Zea mays L.) auf EPTC und Metolachlor Das Wachstum von 11 Mais-Hybriden (Zea mays L.) nach Behandlung mit einem hohen Aufwand (6,7 kg ha^?1) des Thiocarbamats EPTC und des Chloracetanilids Métolachlor. Es war deutlich, daß der Grad der Toleranz gegenüber einem dieser Herbizide nicht notwendigerweise dem bei dem anderen entsprach. Bei allen 11 Hybriden konnte keine Korrelation zwischen dem Glutathion-Gehalt und der Herbizidtoleranz gefunden werden. Auf Grund dieser Untersuchung wird eine Beziehung zwischen der Aktivität der Glutathion-S-Transferase (GST) und der Metolachlor-Toleranz angenommen, denn tolerantere Hybriden hatten im allgemeinen eine höhere GST-Aktivität. Der Monooxygenase-Hemmer Piperonylbutoxid (PBO) hatte zusammen mit EPTC eine synergistische Wirkung auf 8 der 11 Hybriden. Mit Metolachlor wirkte PBO synergistisch nur bei 2 Sorten und in geringerem Maße als mit EPTC. Eine Bodenbearbeitung mit dem sauerstoffabgebenden Calciumperoxid hatte offensichtlich eine antagonistische Wirkung auf das Wachstum von ‘Northrup-King 9283’ bei Behandlung mit EPTC. Im Gegensatz dazu wirkte dieselbe Behandlung dieser Hybride mit Metolachlor synergistisch. Es wird angenommen, daß sowohl der Synergismus von EPTC mit PBO als auch der Antagonismus mit Calciumperoxid für die Bedeutung der Monooxygenase-Aktivität für den Metabolismus von EPTC sprechen. Die Toleranz gegenüber EPTC ist deshalb wahrscheinlich mehr durch oxydative Reaktionen beeinflußt als die Toleranz gegenüber Métolachlor.     

Metabolic effects in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) seedlings after root exposure to glyphosate

Metabolic effects in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) seedlings after root exposure to sublethal concentrations of glyphosate were examined in order to evaluate the possibilities of using a response pattern in plants as a measure of exposure to glyphosate through the growth media, more sensitive than the well-known biomarker shikimate. Rapeseed seedlings were grown in hydroponic nutrient solutions containing varying sublethal concentrations of glyphosate (1-50 μM). After 9 days of glyphosate exposure, the shoots of the seedlings were analysed with respect to the effects on selected metabolites downstream from the primary affected metabolite shikimate, which accumulated linearly in response to glyphosate exposure (from 0 to ∼126 μmol/g DW). The selected metabolites analysed, comprising the free amino acids, and the glucosinolates derived therefrom, showed complex patterns in response to glyphosate exposure. Most noteworthy was though that they responded at the lowest concentrations of exposure to glyphosate (1 μM), where no visual effects, decrease in shoot DW or shikimate could be detected, indicating that a biomarker response more sensitive than that of shikimate can be established for plants exposed to glyphosate.     

Phytotoxic activity of root absorbed glyphosate in corn seedlings (Zea mays L.)

Growth chamber experiments were conducted in order to study the absorption, translocation and activity of glyphosate when applied to roots with aqueous solution avoiding any glyphosate–substrate interaction. Corn seedlings at the first leaf stage were set up in individual graduated cylinders containing different solutions of ¹⁴C-glyphosate (0–30 mg ae kg⁻¹). After 26 h of root exposure, plants were transferred to fresh nutrient solution and grown for the next 5 days. After harvest, plants were separated into seed, root, mesocotyle, coleoptile, cotyledon, first leaf and all new leaves (apex), and quantified ¹⁴C radioactivity contained in each part. Glyphosate uptake was only 11% of the theoretical mass flow into the plant. The amount of glyphosate translocated from roots was positively correlated with plant uptake ( P  < 0.01). Total plant fresh weight presented a logistic response to glyphosate amounts, including a growth stimulant effect (hormesis), when plants absorbed less than 0.6 µg. The treated plants presented a normal pattern of glyphosate allocation, with the apex the principal sink, accumulating more than 38% of mobilized glyphosate. When corn plants absorbed more than 0.6 µg they showed a decrease in growth. The relatively high glyphosate quantities allocated in the new leaves showed the relevance of the symplastic pathway in the translocation process for root absorbed glyphosate.     

Activity of glutathione S-transferase toward some herbicides and its regulation by benoxacor in non-embryogenic callus and in vitro regenerated tissues of Zea mays

A procedure was developed to obtain non-embryogenic callus and regenerated lines from root segments of Zea mays grown in aseptic conditions. The activity of glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), for non-embryogenic callus, was determined toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and it was compared with that obtained for corn seedlings grown without hormones. For the callus masses, increases of specific activity toward CDNB and the kinetic parameter V_max were observed with respect to corn seedlings. The procedure permitted the regenerating of tissues from callus explants, therefore the GST(CDNB) activity and the effect of the safener benoxacor on its expression were investigated for the regenerated tissues grown in agarized substrate and in liquid medium. These explants showed a constitutive GST(CDNB) activity higher than corn seedlings and this activity was increased, for both tissues, in response to the presence of the safener benoxacor in the growing medium. The GST activity for the above tissues was also assayed toward benoxacor and terbuthylazine, metolachlor and fluorodifen herbicides. Measurable GST activity was found toward some of the above chemicals and it was found to be significantly enhanced in response to benoxacor treatment.     

外源NO对NaCl胁迫下玉米幼苗生长和渗透调节能力的影响

采用水培法,研究了50、100、200μmol·L~(-1)外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)对盐胁迫下玉米幼苗生长和渗透调节能力的影响。结果表明,外施NO可明显缓解Na Cl胁迫对玉米幼苗生长的抑制作用,与不施SNP的处理相比,100μmol·L~(-1)SNP处理全株干重的增加幅度达到19%。外施NO降低盐胁迫下玉米幼苗叶片及根系中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白的含量,其中叶片中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白分别降低19.9%和7.9%,根系中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量分别降低9.6%和9%。外源一氧化氮(NO)使盐胁迫下玉米幼苗根系、生长叶和成熟叶叶鞘的Na~+含量分别降低38.4%、5.1%和17.2%;同时,增加根系和成熟叶叶鞘中K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)含量,降低玉米幼苗各器官内的Na~+/K~+、Na~+/Ca~(2+)比值,维持盐胁迫下玉米幼苗中的离子平衡,但对成熟叶片中离子含量的影响不大。研究认为,外源NO可维持盐胁迫下玉米幼苗的碳氮代谢平衡,改善玉米幼苗离子的吸收与分配,缓解Na Cl胁迫对玉米幼苗带来的伤害,其中以100μmol·L~(-1)的SNP处理效果最明显。     

玉米抗粗缩病遗传及分子标记研究

Maize rough dwarf disease caused by Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) is transmitted by planthopper in China. Identification and development of resistant hybrids are complicated because of the inconsistencies in viral disease pressure every year. Marker-assisted selection can provide means for main-taining virus resistance alleles even in the absence of disease. In this paper a F₂ segregation population was constructed to identity the molecular markers linked to the resistance gene using a cross between a resistant and a susceptible parents (Qi319×Ye107). Fifteen-day-old seedlings of F₂ population were exposed to small brown planthoppers carrying RBSDV for 3 days in specific inoculation chamber. The inoculated plants were transplanted to screenhouse after removing the insects completely. In plant maturity stage the disease resistance of all the individuals were visually assessed. The results showed that 17, 8, 11, 51 and 122 plants were scaled from 0-4 respectively, in which 0 means no symptoms and 4 represents highly susceptible. Chi-square test demonstrated that the segregation ratio of phenotype was 1∶15 (resistant: susceptible) or 1∶6∶9 (resistant∶moderate∶susceptible) in the F₂ population, indicating RBSDV resistance of maize was controlled by two recessive genes. The F₂ individuals DNA were extracted and 261 SSR (simple sequence repeat) primers derived from maize genome ten chromosomes were selected from maize GDB database to construct genetic linkage map. The linkage map consisted of 71 polymorphic SSR markers, spanning a genetic distance of 996.6 cM with an average interval of 14.0 cM between adjacent markers. The resistant and susceptible gene pools were set up for BSA (bulked segregant analysis) and 6 polymorphism markers were obtained with BSA-SSR method between the two pools. The F₂individuals were further analyzed with 6 polymorphism markers. Chi-square test showed that phi 051, umc1407 and umc1432, mapped on chromosome 7 and 10, exhibited segregation distortion significantly and very significantly in susceptible individuals. These three SSR markers were identified as potential markers linked to the resistant loci.     

Differential influence of herbicide treatments on activity and kinetic parameters of C4 photosynthetic enzymes from Zea mays

The recommended field dose of rimsulfuron, imazethapyr, alachlor, atrazine or fluometuron differentially reduced shoot fresh and dry weight of 10-day-old maize seedlings as well as leaf protein content during the following 12 days. These reductions seemed consistent during the whole period with fluometuron, atrazine and alachlor but appeared to be nullified by the 5th day of treatment with rimsulfuron and imazethapyr. On the other hand, all herbicides mostly provoked significant inhibitions in specific activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC 4.1.1.31), malate dehydrogenase (MDH, EC 1.1.1.82), pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK, EC 2.7.9.1) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco, EC 4.1.1.39) in leaves during the first 2 days. Thereafter, the inhibition was recovered in samples treated with rimsulfuron and imazethapyr, leveled off with alachlor but consistently augmented with atrazine and fluometuron. The kinetic characterization showed that rimsulfuron or imazethapyr unchanged V_max of all enzymes in vitro, however, V_max of PEPC, PPDK and Rubisco were decreased in vivo. Nevertheless, atrazine or fluometuron substantially reduced V_max of all enzymes while alachlor showed a reduction in this value of PEPC, MDH and Rubisco. Thus atrazine, fluometuron and, to a lower extent, alachlor reduced concentrations of all enzymes as well as rimsulfuron and imazethapyr for only Rubisco. On the contrary, K_m values of all enzymes were progressively increased by all herbicides indicating that the different herbicides altered the structural integrity of all enzymes. These findings conclude that rimsulfuron or imazethapyr competitively inhibited MDH but revealed mixed inhibition to PEPC, PPDK and Rubisco. Atrazine or fluometuron revealed mixed inhibitions to all enzymes whereas alachlor seemed to be either a competitive inhibitor to PPDK or a mixed inhibitor to PEPC, MDH and Rubisco.     

Metabolism of DDT and related compounds in cell suspension cultures of soybean (Glycine max L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Cell suspension cultures of wheat and soybean were incubated with [¹⁴C]-1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), [¹⁴C]-1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (DDE), and [¹⁴C]-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (DDA) under standardized conditions. Polar metabolites were formed in yields of 1–2.5% in the cases of DDT and DDE, and of 56% in the case of DDA. A nonpolar metabolite was only observed in the case of DDT in soybean. This metabolite was identified as DDE on the basis of cochromatography and mass spectroscopy. By the same methods DDA was identified as a major polar DDT metabolite of both soybean and wheat. The further conversion of DDA to hexose esters was demonstrated by chromatographic and mass spectroscopic comparison with synthetic DDA-β-d-glucopyranosyl tetraacetate. These studies suggest the metabolic sequence, DDT → DDA → DDA-hexose ester.     

Seed dispersal, distribution and recruitment of seedlings of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.

Patteras of seed dispersal and seedling recruit ment of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. were compared in abandoned and cultivated fields in Argentina. In both the abandoned and cultivated plots, the greatest concentration of seed fell below, or only a short distance, from the parent plants. A maize combine harvester greatly increased the distance of dispersal of a small part of the seed population. The availability of seed for dispersal, the direction and velocity of wind and the combine harvester were important factors determining the temporal and spatial patterns of seed distribution. The ratio of recruited seedlings to seeds shed was only 1% under the parent plant, but increased to about 100% at a distance of 1.25 m. Soil tilling, which is required for seedling recruitment, and seed density were important factors in determining seedling density as the distance from the parent plants increased. The rate of seedling recruitment was higher in areas where most of the seeds were dispersed late in the season than in those where dispersal occurred early. Dispersion des graines, distribution et reprise des plantules de Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Les schémas de dispersion des graines et de reprise des plantules de Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. ont été comparés dans des champs abandonnés et d'autres cultivés en Argentine. Tant dans les parcelles abandonnées que cultivées, la plus grande concentration de graines tombe sous ou seulement à une faible distance des plantes parentes. Une moisonneuse à maïí a grandement augmenté la distance de dispersion d'une petite partie de la population grainière. La disponibilité des graines pour la dispersion, la direction et la vitesse du vent, et la moissonneuse ont été d'importants facteurs de détermination pour les schémas de distribution spatiale et temporaire. Le ratio de reprise de plantule était seulement de 1% sous les plantes parentes mais augmentait jusqu'à près de 100%à une distance de 1, 25 m. Le travail du sol, qui est nécessaire pour la reprise des plantules, et la densité grainière étaient d'importants facteurs dans la détermination de la densité des plantules quand la distance des plantes parentes augmente. Le taux de reprise des plantules était plus élevé dans les zones où la majorité des graines était dispersée tard en saison que dans celles où la dispersion avait eu lieu tôt. Ausbreitung der Samen sowie Verbreitung und Entwicklung der Keimpflanzen von Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Ausbreitung der Samen und Entwicklung der Keimpflanzen von Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. wurden in Argentinien auf brachliegenden und kultivierten Feldern untersucht. In beiden Situationen fanden sich die größten Samendichten unter oder nahe der Mutterpflanzen. Mit einem Mais-Mähdrescher wurde ein kleiner Teil der Samenpopulation erheblich ausgebreitet. Die Verfügbarkeit von Samen für die Ausbreitung, die Windrichtung und-geschwindigkeit und der Mähdrusch waren wichtige Faktoren für das zeitliche und räumliche Verbreitungsmuster, Unter den Mutterpflanzen keimten die Samen nur zu 1%, aber 1,25 m entfemt zu fast 100%. Bodenbearbeitung und Samendichte bestimmten die Keimpflanzendichte mit zunehmender Entfernung von der Mutterpflanze erheblich. Die Entwichlungsrate spät ansgebreiteter Samen war höher als die früh ausgebreiteter.     

Mode of action of sodium sulfanilate for control of groundnut rust (Puccinia arachidis S.) and its toxicity to the host plant (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Protection of groundnut plants against leaf rust by sodium sulfanilate is reversed by both p-aminobenzoic acid and folic acid, indicating an antifungal action based on interference with folic acid biosynthesis. Folic acid is required for growth of the pathogen. However, protection may also be associated with induced disease resistence because amino acids, particularly aspartic acid and glycine, accumulated in the host plant while there was a reduction in content of threonine and proline. These conditions are possibly unfavorable for growth of the rust fungus and susceptibility of the host plant. Sodium sulfanilate causes phytotoxicity at high concentrations by reducing chlorophyll content. This phytotoxicity is reversed by addition of p-aminobenzoic acid.     

Response of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and hybrids to chlorsulfuron

Twenty inbred maize lines, raised in a growth chamber, were treated with 0 or 1 ng g^?1 of chlorsulfuron which caused a variable reduction in root-length. In a second experiment, all crosses (reciprocals included) among two tolerant lines (T: Va85 and Mes44) and two susceptible lines (S: B73 and B79) were raised in a growth chamber together with the parental lines and exposed to 0,0×5 or 1 ng g^?1, The interaction of reciprocal effects x rates was not significant for all traits, The T × S hybrids showed an intermediate response between the T × T and S × S responses for root-length and dry weight. Interaction (hybrids vs. parental lines) × rates was not significant for all traits. These results indicate that susceptibility to chlorsulfuron is not controlled by extra-nuclear factors and that additive gene actions prevail. Four crosses (one T × T, two T × S and one S × S) were further investigated at nine rates from 0 to 1 ng g^?1. The responses confirmed the intermediate behaviour of T×S hybrids, resulting in a GR₂₀ of 0×07, 0×55 and 0×94 ng g^?1 for S × S, T × S and T × T, respectively. In a third experiment, the four crosses previously considered were grown in the field with parental lines and treated at five rates from 0 to 1·12 g a.i. ha^?1. Effects on shoot height and dry weight were consistent with root effects found in growth chamber experiments.     

Effect of mecoprop on plant growth and distribution of photosynthate in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings

Foliar application of the phenoxy-acid herbicide, mecoprop, at four times normal field rate, caused decreases in root and shoot growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The shoot relative growth rate (RGR) was affected before that of the roots but subsequently the root RGR was significantly decreased. The roots of plants affected by mecoprop produced large numbers of short swollen laterals but the root system as a whole gradually recovered. Mecoprop treatment was associated with an immediate and lasting decrease in photo-synthetic ¹⁴CO₂ fixation. After a pulse of ¹⁴CO₂ in the light, the proportion of carbon moving to the roots in treated plants was always decreased but after a 24-h chase the proportion moving to the roots was initially decreased (2 days after spraying), then increased (9 days after spraying), but later became the same (17 days after spraying) as the water sprayed controls. Possible mechanisms involved with these mecoprop induced changes are discussed. Effets de l'herbicide mécoprop sur le développement végétatif et la répartition de produits photosynthétiques dans des plantules de blé (Triticum aestivum L.) Le mécoprop, acide phénoxypropionique, en application foliaire à quatre fois la dose conseillée, a amené une baisse dans la croissance des racines et des pousses du blé (Triticum aestivum L.). Le taux de croissance relative (RGR) des pousses a témoigné des effets plus tôt que les racines mais ultérieurement le RGR des racines a baissé de façon significative. Les racines des plantes touchées par le mécoprop ont produit de nombreuses ramifications courtes et renflées, mais le système racinaire s'est remis peu à peu. Les traitements au mécoprop sont associés à une baisse immédiate et prolongée dans la fixation du ¹⁴CO₂ photosynthétique. A la suite d'un marquage au ¹⁴CO₂à la lumière, la proportion de carbone qui s'acheminait vers les racines des plantes traitées a toujours fait voir une baisse mais au bout d'un intervalle de 24 h, la proportion qui s'acheminait vers les racines a d'abord diminué (2 jours après la pulvérisation) pour augmenter ensuite (9 jours après la pulvérisation). Plus tard (17 jours après la pulvérisation) cette proportion était semblable à celle des témoins ne recevant que de l'eau. Les mécanismea éventuellement enjeu dans ces changements provoqués par le mécoprop sont discutés. Wirkung von Mecoprop auf das Wachstum und die Verteilung von Assimilaten bei Jungpflanzen des Weizens (Triticum aestivum L.) Die Blattapplikation von Mecoprop in der 4 fachen Normaldosierung führte zu einer Abnahme des Wurzel-und Sprosswachstums des Weizens. Zunächst war das Wachstum des Sprosses, aber später auch das der Wurzeln herabgesetzt. Die Seitenwurzeln waren verkürzt und verdickt, aber nach und nach fand das Wurzelsystem zum normalen Wuchs zurück. Nach der Behandlung nahm die ¹⁴14C0₂-Assimilation für einige Zeit ab. 9 Tage nach der Behandlung nahm der Transport von Assimilaten in die Wurzeln wieder zu, so dass er 17 Tage nach der Behandlung dieselbe Höhe wie bei den Kontrollpflanzen erreichte. Der mögliche Mechanismus der von Mecoprop herbeigeführten Veränderungen wird diskutiert.     

Amino acids in loose silky-bent (Apera spica-venti (L.) Beauv.) responding to prosulfocarb exposure and the correlation with physiological effects

Eleven free amino acids were identified in the grass weed loose silky-bent (Apera spica-venti) after exposure to four rates of the thiocarbamate herbicide prosulfocarb. A new HPTLC method was developed for quantification of amino acids in raw plant extracts. A pattern of significant changes in the content of glutamine, glycine, alanine, and proline due to exposure were detected. The content of all four amino acids increased at increasing exposure rates. Quantitative analyses 7 and 21 days after herbicide application showed that over time the amount of proline increased, the alanine and glycine content decreased, and that at high exposure rates the amount of glutamine increased. Visual effects were evaluated and the biomass was measured. The visual symptoms increased and the biomass decreased with increasing exposure rates. A significant correlation between the changes in the content of the four amino acids and the visual effects and the biomasses were found.     

Molecular basis for resistance to tribenuron in shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.)

Capsella bursa-pastoris, a winter annual weed in the mustard family, can not be controlled by tribenuron after the herbicide has been continuously used for several years. The resistant biotype Lz-R was the generation of a population collected from Liangzhu, a place where tribenuron had been used for more than 15 consecutive years. To confirm and characterize the resistance of C. bursa-pastoris to tribenuron, whole-plant bioassays were conducted in the greenhouse. The results of whole-plant bioassays revealed that Lz-R was highly resistant to tribenuron with the resistance index (GR₅₀ Lz-R)/(GR₅₀ Lz-S) up to 236.6. To investigate the molecular basis of resistance in C. bursa-pastoris, the acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes were sequenced and compared between susceptible and resistant biotypes. Analysis of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences between the biotypes indicated that one substitution had occurred in Domain A, cytosine by thymine (CCT to TCT) at position 197, that led to a change of the amino acid proline in the susceptible to serine in the Lz-R.     

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.     

苏云金杆菌对抗性及敏感小菜蛾的拒食活性

调查了苏云金杆菌对抗性和敏感小菜蛾的拒食活性。选择性和完全拒食试验表明,Bt对抗性和敏感小菜蛾种群都有一定的拒食作用,且拒食活性随Bt浓度的增加而显著增强。相对于抗性种群,小菜蛾敏感种群对Bt杀虫剂表现了更强的拒食趋势,其拒食中浓度AFC50(0.089 3 μg/mL)显著低于抗性种群(0.148 1 μg/mL)。试验结果表明,抗性种群对有毒叶片的行为避害能力弱于敏感种群,小菜蛾对Bt杀虫剂的抗性产生应与其行为机制无关。