The induction of chickpea glutathione S-transferase by oxadiazon

Abstract

Abstract Treatment of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) with the herbicide oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5- isopropoxyphenyl)- 2 Δ-1,3,4-oxadiazon-5-one] caused a progressive increase in glutathione S -transferase activity in seedlings, roots, shoots, leaves and stems. The lowest oxadiazon concentration that caused a noticeable elevation in the enzyme activity was 0.02 ppm. The maximum increase in enzyme activity was more than 269% of the control with oxadiazon concentration between 10 and 20 ppm. Oxadiazon treatment of eight-day-old plants increased the enzyme activity in the shoot after 6 hr of exposure, and maximum activity was reached at 24–26 hr. A similar but lower increase in enzyme activity was observed in the shoots of broad bean ( Vicia faba ) and corn ( Zea mays ). No significant increase in the enzyme activity was observed in treated lentil ( Lens esculenta ), bitter vetch ( Vicia ervilia ), wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and barley ( Hordeum vulgare ).