Quinclorac does not inhibit cellulose (cell wall) biosynthesis in sensitive barnyard grass and maize roots

Abstract

The effect of the auxin herbicide quinclorac on cellulose, callose, and (1→3),(1→4)β-glucan deposition in newly produced cell walls of meristematic root tip cells was examined in maize and barnyard grass. Particularly, the developing cell plate of dividing cells was investigated as a site of de novo cellulose biosynthesis. A cellulose-binding domain of a bacterial cellulase and monoclonal antibodies against the hemicellulose constituents were used for specific labelling in fluorescence microscopic examination. Root-treatment of plants with 100 μM quinclorac in maize and 10 μM quinclorac in barnyard grass decreased cell division activity in root tips and root elongation. Quinclorac did not induce the swelling of root tips into a club shape and a glassy appearance of tissue, which are typical symptoms for the action of cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors such as dichlobenil. During 24 h of treatment, no effects of quinclorac on cellulose deposition at the cell plates and parental walls of meristematic root cells were found. In contrast, 10 μM dichlobenil inhibited cellulose deposition in cell plate formation within 4 h of treatment. Concerning the hemicellulose constituents, increased staining for callose in areas of cell plates and parental cell walls was observed 24 h after treatment with 10 μM quinclorac. Concomitantly, (1→3),(1→4)β-glucan deposition in cell walls decreased. The latter may be an indirect effect of quinclorac through a stimulated production of cyanide from ethylene biosynthesis. In contrast with previous reports, no evidence that quinclorac, directly or indirectly inhibits cellulose biosynthesis in roots of susceptible grasses was found.