Cellular evidence of allelopathic interference of benzoic acid to mustard ( Brassica juncea L.) seedling growth

• Published in: Plant physiology and biochemistry 2005, Vol.43 (1), p.77-81
• Main Authors: Kaur, Harleen, Inderjit, Kaushik, Shalini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Allelopathy; Benzoic acid; Benzoic Acid - toxicity; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Nucleus - drug effects; Cell Nucleus - ultrastructure; Cell Wall - drug effects; Cell Wall - ultrastructure; Economic plant physiology; Endoplasmic Reticulum - drug effects; Endoplasmic Reticulum - ultrastructure; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Golgi Apparatus - drug effects; Golgi Apparatus - ultrastructure; Growth and development; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Morphogenesis, differentiation, rhizogenesis, tuberization. Senescence; Mustard; Mustard Plant - drug effects; Mustard Plant - ultrastructure; Plant Roots - drug effects; Plant Roots - ultrastructure; Root growth inhibition; Seedlings - drug effects; Seedlings - ultrastructure; Soil - analysis; Transmission electron microscopy
• ISSN: 0981-9428; 1873-2690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2004.12.007

Cellular changes in the roots of mustard ( Brassica juncea L.) grown in soil treated with 1.09, 1.46 and 1.83 mg benzoic acid per g soil, a known allelochemical, were analyzed after 7 days. The recoverable concentration of 1.09, 1.46 and 1.8 mg benzoic acid per g soil (measured by high performance liquid chromatography) was 68, 150 and 250 μg benzoic acid per g soil, respectively. The benzoic acid treatments suppressed root growth by 30.5%, 58.8% and 81.1% with increasing concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy studies of roots showed irregular shaped cells arranged in a disorganized manner and disruption of cell organelles at cellular level. Root cells showed dissolution of middle lamella (at 68 and 150 μg benzoic acid per g soil) but intact middle lamella with increased wall deposits was observed with 250 μg benzoic acid per g soil. Damage to the mustard root at cellular level was evidenced by the changes in cell morphology and internal organization.