Evaluation of titanium and silicon role in mitigation of fungicides toxicity in wheat expressed at the level of biochemical and antioxidant profile

Abstract

Biostimulators are compounds that are gaining attention due to their potential to support plant growth, however, less in known about their impact on plant biochemistry. Therefore, the main goal of this comprehensive study was to evaluate the effect of two inorganic biostimulators (titanium, Ti and silicon, Si) and five fungicides (propiconazole, cyproconazole, spiroxamine, tebuconazole, triadimenol) on biochemical and antioxidant status as well as mycotoxin profile in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Moreover, the half-life of fungicides under the influence of biostimulators was evaluated. Titanium caused most efficient mitigation of fungicide-induced toxicity reflected by greater increase of protein (104.80 mg g−1), carbohydrates (43.70 mg g−1), phenolic compounds (1023.18 μg g−1), and peroxidase activity (0.151 U mg−1) compared to treatment with silicon. The application of spiroketalamine and triazole fungicides with silicon decreased the activity of acid phosphatases (35.70 μM h−1 g−1) while inducing amino acid (861.40 μg kg−1) and catalase activity (1.056 U mg−1). Moreover, silicon was most effective in the reduction of mycotoxin contamination in wheat grain (61.17 μg g−1). This study indicated a shortened dissipation of propiconazole, spiroxamine, tebuconazole and triadimenol under the influence of titanium or silicon (DT50 = 1.85–4.82), which can therefore affect the grace period of wheat. The results of this comprehensive investigation demonstrated that titanium and silicon have a beneficial influence on wheat biochemistry and mitigate fungicide toxicity, which makes them widely suitable for optimizing plant health.