The effects of norflurazon treatment on photosynthesis rate and β-carotene concentration in wheat and corn

• In Event: Poster Presentation and Judging for: Anthropology; Botany; Conservation Ecology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Science; Geosciences; Mathematics & Computer Science; Neuroscience; Physics & Eng; Science Education; Terrestrial Ecology & Management.
  In Poster Session: Botany Poster Session

Abstract

Norflurazon is a persistent water soluble pre-emergent herbicide commonly applied to vegetable and cotton crops in the United States. It is not only mobile in the soil, but it also has a long half-life: 130 days in aerobic soils and 240 days in anaerobic soils. Norflurazon reduces biodiversity and the EPA has found that it can be toxic to aquatic animals and is very toxic to aquatic plants. This research project focused on efficacy of reduced rates of application of norflurazon for the purpose of mitigating these adverse outcomes. Corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown under controlled conditions for approximately fifty days, with three treatments. Seeds of each species were soaked for 24 hours in solutions that contained the following concentrations of norflurazon: 1.0 x 10-8 M, 0.5 x 10-8 M, and 0 M. Because norflurazon’s mode of action is to cause the degradation of the accessory pigment β-carotene, the photosynthetic rate of individuals exposed to each concentration was measured at week #4. In addition, plant tissue from specific leaves were collected from each individual and stored at -80°C for analysis of β-carotene content. Preliminary results indicate no impact of low-level exposure to norflurazon on photosynthetic efficiency.

Authors

• Mary Margaret Hillery, St. Edward's University

• Jeremiah Grider, St. Edward's University