Abstract
Overuse of pesticides has resulted in environmental problems, threating public health through accumulation in food chains. Phytoremediation is a powerful technique to clean up contaminated environments. However, it is necessary to unravel the metabolic mechanisms underlying phytoremediation in order to increase the efficiency of this process. Therefore, growth, physiological and biochemical responses in leaves and roots of Solanum nigrum L. exposed to the commonly used fungicide metalaxyl were investigated. This species shows characteristics that make it valuable as a potential tool for the remediation of organic pollutants. We found that once inside the plant, metalaxyl altered carbon metabolism, which resulted in a reduction of growth and lower biomass accumulation due to impairment of carbohydrate production (total soluble sugar, starch, rubisco) and increased photorespiration (glycolate oxidase, Gly/Ser ratio). A significant increase of antioxidant defenses (polyphenols, flavonoids, tocopherols, ascorbate, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidases, monodehydroascorbate- and dehydroascorbate reductase, gluthatione reductase) kept reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels under control (superoxide anion) leaving cell membranes undamaged. The results suggest that enhancing carbon assimilation and antioxidant capacity may be target parameters to improve this species’ phytoremediation capacities.Highlights• Metalaxyl inhibits growth by reducing photosynthesis and inducing photorespiration• Elevated antioxidant defenses protect metalaxyl-treated plants from oxidative damage• Ascorbate and glutathione are key antioxidants in metalaxyl tolerance.
Highlights
Pesticides are a commonly used to prevent crop losses to maintain high yields of economically important crops, to fulfill the rising demands in world’s food production (Gill and Garg, 2014)
We found that once inside the plant, metalaxyl altered carbon metabolism, which resulted in a reduction of growth and lower biomass accumulation due to impairment of carbohydrate production and increased photorespiration
TSS and starch levels decreased as the concentration of metalaxyl increased for both leaves and roots (Figures 2B,D)
Summary
Pesticides are a commonly used to prevent crop losses to maintain high yields of economically important crops, to fulfill the rising demands in world’s food production (Gill and Garg, 2014). Pesticide commercialization is subject to strict legal restrictions accidental spills and leakages due to incorrect disposal and excessive use, pose a great threat to the environment and human health. These chemicals contaminate air, soils and groundwater, affecting non-target systems (Damalas and Eleftherohorinos, 2011). Dramatic increases in applied pesticide volumes decrease crop productivity and profitability on arable lands (Godfray et al, 2010). Damage of crops may occur even when recommend dosages are applied to crops, for example when pesticides drift away from target crops. Drift can account for a loss of 40–70% of non-targeted crops (Pimentel, 2009)
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