Whole plant response of lettuce after root exposure to boa (2(3H)-benzoxazolinone)

• Published in: Journal of chemical ecology 2005-11, Vol.31 (11), p.2689-2703
• Main Authors: Sanchez-Moreiras, A.M, Reigosa, M.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine Triphosphatases - metabolism; allelochemicals; allelopathy; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Autoecology; Benzoxazoles - pharmacology; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Boa; Chemicals; Flowers & plants; Fluorescence; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; herbicidal properties; Lactuca - drug effects; Lactuca - physiology; Lettuce; mechanism of action; Metabolites; Mode of action; Peroxidase - metabolism; Peroxidation; Photosynthesis; Physiology; Plant growth; Plant Roots - drug effects; Plant Roots - physiology; plant stress; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism; Water - metabolism; Water relations
• ISSN: 0098-0331; 1573-1561
• DOI: 10.1007/s10886-005-7620-z

The goal of our work was to expand the knowledge about plant stress response to the allelochemical 2(3H)-benzoxazolinone (BOA). We focused on physiological processes that are affected by this secondary metabolite. Physiological and biochemical characteristics of plants exposed to BOA help us to better understand its mode of action and open the gate to the use of allelochemicals as "natural" herbicides. Measurements on photosynthesis, fluorescence, water relations, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase), ATPases, and lipid peroxidation indicated that a phytotoxic effect follows BOA exposition. This effect was intense enough to interfere with plant growth and development and to produce "induced senescence." Based on this, we propose a multifaceted mode of action for BOA with effects at different levels and in different parts of the plant.