The effect of Diuron on the soluble nucleotide pool and growth of bean and corn seedlings

Abstract

The effect of Diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] on the acid-soluble nucleotides and growth of bean and corn seedlings was examined. Seeds were germinated in sterile vermiculite and the seedlings fed with different concentrations of diuron through the roots. In the control plants there was a predominance of adenine and uridine nucleotides over guanine and cytosine nucleotides with ATP and UDP-glucose (UDPG) being the most abundant. Seedlings fed with 50 μ M diuron showed a significant increase in ATP level and then a subsequent decrease with increasing diuron concentrations. There was a considerable decrease in the total nucleotide content of both types of seedlings fed with 125 and 250 μ M diuron, the effect being much more pronounced in the ones treated with 250 μ M. The decrease in the total nucleotide content resulted in reduced metabolic activity of the seedlings as was shown by the decrease in chlorophyll and in reduced fresh and dry weights.