chlorophyll-a and bentazone

Bentazon and molinate are selective herbicides recommended for integrated weed management in rice. Their toxicity on growth and some biochemical and physiological parameters of Nostoc muscorum, an abundant cyanobacterium in Portuguese rice fields, was evaluated under laboratory conditions during time- and concentration-dependent exposure for 72 h. Results showed that toxic concentrations (0.75-2 mM) of both herbicides have pleiotropic effects on the cyanobacterium. Molinate was more toxic than bentazon to growth, respiration, chlorophyll-a, carotenoids, and phycobiliproteins contents. Protein content was increased by both herbicides although the effect was particularly evident with higher concentrations of molinate (1.5-2 mM). The herbicides had contrasting effects on carbohydrates content: molinate increased this organic fraction whereas bentazon decreased it. Photosynthesis and respiration were inhibited by both herbicides.

Topics: Azepines; Benzothiadiazines; Carotenoids; Chlorophyll; Chlorophyll A; Herbicides; Nostoc muscorum; Photosynthesis; Pigments, Biological; Portugal; Thiocarbamates; Toxicity Tests

The herbicide bentazon (CASRN 25057-89-0) is extensively used in agriculture in Brittany (France) to replace atrazine. Bentazon is not readily adsorbed by soil and therefore it enters adjacent freshwater ecosystems, making its way to estuarine and marine waters areas. Information regarding its effects on marine ecosystems is scarce. Phytotoxicity assessments were conducted in the laboratory on the common diatom Chaetoceros gracilis using both the active ingredient and its formulated product (Basamaïs). The 3 day EC(50) using cell counts were, respectively, 150 mg/L and 60 microg/L for bentazon active ingredient and for bentazon-formulated while cellular volume was increased. Although bentazon is known as a photosystem II inhibitor, it produced an increase of pigment (chlorophylls a, c, and carotenoids) content, ATP synthesis, rates of photosynthesis and respiration, and TBARS formation. Therefore, pigments cannot be used as biomarkers of toxicity. Algal cell recovery from bentazon effects occurred after 6-9 days, suggesting a tolerance mechanism.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Benzothiadiazines; Carotenoids; Cell Respiration; Chlorophyll; Culture Media; Diatoms; Herbicides; Lipid Peroxidation; Photosynthesis; Photosystem II Protein Complex; Seawater; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Water Pollutants, Chemical

Chlorophyll fluorescence techniques are used for the detection of toxic substances in samples of photosynthetic cells by measuring chlorophyll a fluorimetric parameters, which are a response of the PSII physiological status. This work was conducted to determine the effects of the herbicide bentazon (CASRN 25057-89-0) on growth and maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) in cells of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum. Unialgal cultures were exposed to several bentazon concentrations and its effects on algal growth and Fv/Fm were determined. The traditional algal growth inhibition test (algal biomass measurements) and DCMU-induced chlorophyll a variable fluorescence measurements were determined. Our results showed that even low concentrations of bentazon rapidly lead to Fv/Fm decrease, while the effects on algal growth were detected after 24 h of exposure. The LOEC (2.81 mg L(-1)) and EC50 (13.0 mg L(-1)) determined through Fv/Fm experiments were lower than the LOEC (22.5 mg L(-1)) and EC50 (24.0 mg L(-1)) determined through algal growth inhibition experiments. This confirms that the Fv/Fm is a more sensitive parameter than algal growth for monitoring the effects of bentazon. The present results have demonstrated the applicability of Fv/Fm parameter to access the early toxicity of bentazon, as well as other PSII-inhibition compounds, before significant changes occurred in the original concentration and bioavailability of these toxicants during longer exposure times.

Topics: Benzothiadiazines; Biomass; Chlorophyll; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Diatoms; Diuron; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fluorescence; Herbicides; Photosystem II Protein Complex

The influence of intact (FLT) and photomodified (phFLT) fluoranthene (0.05, 0.5 and 5 micromol l(-1)) and herbicide Basagran (5, 20, 35 and 50 nmol l(-1)) on the germination, growth of seedlings and photosynthetic processes in pea plants (Pisum sativum L., cv. Garde) was investigated. The germination was significantly inhibited already by the lowest concentration (0.05 micromol l(-1)) of FLT and phFLT, while Basagran caused inhibition only in higher concentrations (35 and 50 nmol l(-1)). The growth of roots was significantly inhibited by higher concentration 5 micromol l(-1) of both FLT and phFLT and the shoot of seedlings was significantly influenced only by photomodified form. The length of root and shoot was inhibited already by concentration 5 nmol l(-1) of Basagran. Organic compounds applied on chloroplasts suspension influenced primary photochemical processes of photosynthesis. In chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, the significant increase of F(0) values and the decrease of F(V)/F(M) and Phi(II) values by application of FLT (0.5 and 5 micromol l(-1)) and phFLT (0.05, 0.5 and 5 micromol l(-1)) was recorded. The maximum capacity of PSII (F(V)/F(M)) was influenced by the highest (50 nmol l(-1)) and the effective quantum yield of PSII (Phi(II)) already by the lowest (5 nmol l(-1)) concentration of Basagran. Hill reaction activity decreased and was significantly inhibited by higher concentration (0.5 and 5 micromol l(-1)) of FLT and phFLT and already by the lowest concentration (5 nmol l(-1)) of Basagran.

Topics: Benzothiadiazines; Chlorophyll; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fluorenes; Germination; Photosynthesis; Pisum sativum; Plant Roots; Plant Shoots; Seedlings

A suite of dose-response bioassays with white mustard (Sinapis alba L) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L) in the greenhouse and with three herbicides was used to analyse how the fluorescence induction curves (Kautsky curves) were affected by the herbicides. Bentazone, a photosystem II (PSII) inhibitor, completely blocked the normal fluorescence decay after the P-step. In contrast, fluorescence decay was still obvious for flurochloridone, a PDS inhibitor, and glyphosate, an EPSP inhibitor, which indicated that PSII inhibition was incomplete. From the numerous parameters that can be derived from OJIP-steps of the Kautsky curve the relative changes at the J-step [Fvj = (Fm - Fj)/Fm] was selected to be a common response parameter for the herbicides and yielded consistent dose-response relationships. Four hours after treatment, the response Fvj on the doses of bentazone and flurochloridone could be measured. For glyphosate, the changes of the Kautsky curve could similarly be detected 4 h after treatment in sugar beet, but only after 24 hs in S alba. The best prediction of biomass in relation to Fvj was found for bentazone. The experiments were conducted between May and August 2002 and showed that the ambient temperature and solar radiation in the greenhouse could affect dose-response relationships. If the Kautsky curve parameters should be used to predict the outcome of herbicide screening experiments in the greenhouse, where ambient radiation and temperature can only partly be controlled, it is imperative that the chosen fluorescence parameters can be used to predict accurately the resulting biomass used in classical bioassays.

Topics: Benzothiadiazines; Beta vulgaris; Biological Assay; Biomass; Chlorophyll; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fluorometry; Glycine; Glyphosate; Herbicides; Models, Biological; Sinapis