ABSTRACT
Abstract In Brazil, the expansion of agricultural activity and the associated indiscriminate use of herbicides such as glyphosate is directly related to the loss of biodiversity in the Cerrado. The identification of plant species as bioindicators of herbicide action, especially species native to the area, can help in monitoring the impacts of xenobiotics in the remaining Cerrado. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the possible use of the native Cerrado species Pouteria torta as a bioindicator of glyphosate action via changes in physiological performance. At 16 months after sowing, the effect of glyphosate was evaluated by applying the following doses: 0 (control), 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1200 g a.e. ha-1. In response to glyphosate, P. torta exhibited reductions in photosynthesis and chloroplastid pigment content, as well as accumulation of shikimic acid and the occurrence of chlorosis and necrosis. These changes demonstrate the high sensitivity of P. torta to glyphosate and its potential for use as a bioindicator of this herbicide.
Resumo No Brasil, a expansão da atividade agrícola, aliada a utilização indiscriminada de herbicidas como o glyphosate, possui relação direta com a perda da biodiversidade no Cerrado. A identificação de espécies vegetais bioindicadoras da ação de herbicidas, particularmente as nativas do Cerrado, pode auxiliar em processos de monitoramento dos impactos desse xenobiótico nas remanescentes do Cerrado. Assim, este estudo foi projetado para avaliar o possível uso de Pouteria torta, espécie nativa do cerrado, como bioindicadora da ação do glyphosate via mudanças na sua performance fisiológica. Após 16 meses de semeadura, o efeito do glyphosate foi avaliado quando aplicadas as seguintes doses: 0 (controle), 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 e 1200 g e. a. ha-1. Em reposta ao glyphosate, as plantas de P. torta apresentaram redução na sua performance do processo fotossintético e no conteúdo de pigmentos cloroplastídicos, além do acúmulo de ácido chiquímico e da ocorrência de cloroses e necroses. Essas alterações demonstram a alta sensibilidade de P. torta ao glyphosate, o que potencializa a sua utilização como bioindicadora da ação desse herbicida.
Subject(s)
Photosynthesis/drug effects , Pouteria/drug effects , Sentinel Species/metabolism , Herbicides/adverse effects , Brazil , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Glycine/adverse effectsABSTRACT
In Brazil, the expansion of agricultural activity and the associated indiscriminate use of herbicides such as glyphosate is directly related to the loss of biodiversity in the Cerrado. The identification of plant species as bioindicators of herbicide action, especially species native to the area, can help in monitoring the impacts of xenobiotics in the remaining Cerrado. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the possible use of the native Cerrado species Pouteria torta as a bioindicator of glyphosate action via changes in physiological performance. At 16 months after sowing, the effect of glyphosate was evaluated by applying the following doses: 0 (control), 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1200 g a.e. ha-1. In response to glyphosate, P. torta exhibited reductions in photosynthesis and chloroplastid pigment content, as well as accumulation of shikimic acid and the occurrence of chlorosis and necrosis. These changes demonstrate the high sensitivity of P. torta to glyphosate and its potential for use as a bioindicator of this herbicide.
Subject(s)
Glycine/analogs & derivatives , Herbicides/adverse effects , Photosynthesis/drug effects , Pouteria/drug effects , Sentinel Species/metabolism , Brazil , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Glycine/adverse effects , Grassland , Pouteria/metabolism , GlyphosateABSTRACT
Strobilurins are among the most important fungicides that are used for plant disease control worldwide. In addition to their fungicide effect, strobilurins can also improve crop physiology. Nonetheless, the impact of azoxystrobin (Az), the main marketed strobilurin, on rice physiology is still unknown. Detailed gas exchange measurements and chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis were used to examine the Az effects on the photosynthetic performance of rice plants (cultivar Metica-1) either challenged or not with Bipolaris oryzae, the causal agent of brown spot. Az impaired carbon (C) fixation in the non-inoculated plants in a manner that was not related to photochemical or biochemical limitations, but rather to decreased stomatal conductance that limited the CO2 influx into the mesophyll cells. The photosynthesis of rice plants that were not sprayed with Az dramatically decreased upon B. oryzae infection, which was chiefly governed by photochemical and biochemical limitations. The energy surplus that was caused by limited C fixation in the rice plants that were treated with Az and inoculated with B. oryzae was thermally and effectively dissipated until 72h after inoculation. In Az absence, however, this mechanism was not sufficient to prevent chronic photoinhibition to photosynthesis. The inoculated plants were not able to fully capture and exploit the collected light energy, but these constraints were greatly limited in the presence of Az. In conclusion, Az impaired the photosynthetic performance of non-infected plants by diffusive constraints, but prevented, to a greater extent, the damage to the photosynthetic apparatus during the infection process of B. oryzae.
