Influence of thiobencarb on nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase and DCPIP photoreduction in rice and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) (barnyardgrass)

Summary. The influence of thiobencarb at 1500 ppm on levels of nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase and on 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) photoreduction was studied in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) (barnyardgrass) to understand the different sensitivities of these two plants to the herbicide. The herbicide treatment did not cause appreciable inhibition of nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase in rice leaf sections. In barnyard grass, the treatment strongly lowered nitrite reductase activity. DCPIP photoreduction by isolated chloroplasts of the treated rice leaves was not greatly affected. On the other hand DCPIP photoreduction by both mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts from treated barnyardgrass was inhibited by 70%. Herbicide caused accumulation of nitrite in treated barnyard grass leaves when compared to rice. Thiobencarb phytotoxicity to barnyard grass may be due to impairment of the Hill reaction that in turn caused accumulation of nitrite in the leaf tissue.