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Influence of the acetolactate synthase inhibitor metsulfuron-methyl on the operation, regulation and organisation of photosynthesis in Solanum nigrum

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Abstract

The influence of the acetolactate synthase inhibitor metsulfuron-methyl on the operation of the photosynthetic apparatus was examined on 4-weeks-old climate chamber-grown Solanum nigrum plant. To have an indication on the relative performance of the photosynthetic apparatus of ALS-treated plants, the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation, the relative quantum efficiency of photosystem I (ΦPSI) or photosystem II (ΦPSII) electron transport and leaf chlorophyll content were assessed for both control and treated plants at 2, 4 and 7 days after application of the herbicide. Results indicated a progressive inhibition of the level of CO2 fixation, the relative quantum efficiency of photosystem I (ФPSI) and II (ФPSII) electron transport and the leaf chlorophyll content already 2 days after application of the herbicide. The linear relationship between the photosystem I and II was unaltered by herbicidal treatment and was sustained under conditions where large changes in pigment composition of the leaves occurred. It appears that the stress-induced loss of leaf chlorophyll is not a catastrophic process but rather is the consequence of a well-organised breakdown of components. Under photorespiratory and non-photorespiratory conditions, the relationship between the index of electron transport flow through photosystem I and II and the rate of CO2 fixation is altered so that electron transport becomes less efficient at driving CO2 fixation.

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Abbreviations

ALS:

acetolactate synthase

DAT:

days after treatment

HRAC:

herbicide resistance action committee

ΦPSI :

relative quantum efficiency of photosystem I

ΦPSII :

relative quantum efficiency of photosystem II

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Acknowledgements

André Uffing is greatly acknowledged for assistance with the plants, Manon Mensink and Joost Ruijsch for technical assistance with the photosynthetic measurements and Geert Stoopen for providing the facilities needed for chlorophyll analysis. Riki van den Boogaard is acknowledged for her scientific inputs in the project. This research was supported by the Technology Foundation STW, applied science division of NWO and the technology programme of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Crop and Weed Ecology Group, Department of Plant Science, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Ingrid Riethmuller-Haage, Lammert Bastiaans & Martin J. Kropff

  2. Horticulture Chain Production, Department of Plant Science, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 40, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Jeremy Harbinson

  3. Plant Research International, Department of Plant Science, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Ingrid Riethmuller-Haage & Corné Kempenaar

Authors
  1. Ingrid Riethmuller-Haage
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  2. Lammert Bastiaans
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  3. Jeremy Harbinson
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  4. Corné Kempenaar
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  5. Martin J. Kropff
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Correspondence to Ingrid Riethmuller-Haage.

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Riethmuller-Haage, I., Bastiaans, L., Harbinson, J. et al. Influence of the acetolactate synthase inhibitor metsulfuron-methyl on the operation, regulation and organisation of photosynthesis in Solanum nigrum . Photosynth Res 88, 331–341 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-006-9062-z

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