Pesticides-induced depression of photosynthesis was alleviated by 24-epibrassinolide pretreatment in Cucumis sativus L

The phytotoxicities of nine pesticides (paraquat, fluazifop-p-butyl, haloxyfop, flusilazole, cuproxat, cyazofamid, imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, and abamectin) at practical dosages on photosynthesis were investigated in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jinyan No. 4) by gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescent measurements. Plants treated with paraquat showed the severest phytotoxic symptom with the highest reduction in net photosynthetic rate (Pn), while other pesticides except flusilazole inhibited Pn to various degrees. The inhibition of Pn by cuproxat was accompanied by declines both in stomatal conductance (Gs) and intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci), whereas decreased Pn for the cyazofamid was associated with increased Ci. For other 6 pesticides, however, inhibition of Pn was accompanied by decrease in Gs, while Ci was increased or unaffected. Paraquat almost completely inhibited the maximal quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), while other pesticides had no significant effect on F_v/F_m. Quantum efficiency of PSII (Φ_PSII) was significantly reduced by paraquat, fluazifop-p-butyl, and chlorpyrifos and the reduction was mostly attributed to decrease in photochemical quenching coefficient (qP). In comparison, Φ_PSII was not significantly affected by haloxyfop, flusilazole, cyazofamid, imidacloprid, and abamectin. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was suppressed by paraquat and haloxyfop, while apparent upregulation was evident after exposure to other pesticides. Interestedly, inhibitions of Pn were alleviated by 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) pretreatment, as for the pesticides examined in this study except paraquat and flusilazole. EBR pretreatment also increased Φ_PSII and qP. It is likely that EBR enhanced the resistance of cucumber seedlings to pesticides by increasing CO₂ assimilation capacity and activities of antioxidant enzymes.