Original scientific paper

The effect of 2,4-D on the photosynthetic apparatus in cotyledons of spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) seedlings grown in the dark

Hrvoje Lepeduš ; Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, University of J. J. Strossmayer, Osijek, Croatia
Nikola Ljubešić ; Ruđer Bošković Institute, Department of Molecular Genetics, Zagreb, Croatia
Vera Cesar ; Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, University of J. J. Strossmayer, Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

Growth regulating substance, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is widely used in plant cell cultures and also in agriculture as a herbicide. The effect of 2,4-D on photosynthetic pigment content and chloroplast ultrastructure in spruce seedlings grown in the dark was studied. Seedlings were grown for 16 days in the dark at room temperature in Petri dishes moistened either with tap water (control) or 4.5, 45 and 450 μM 2,4-D. The lowest concentration (4.5 μM) of 2,4-D induced both chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis as compared to the control treatment. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the measured parameters between the control and the 45 μM 2,4-D treatment. A herbicidal concentration of 2,4-D (450 μM) induced a decline in chlorophyll content, while carotenoids were not significantly influenced. In contrast to the low concentration treatments, a herbicidal concentration of 2,4-D caused extensive changes in chloroplast shape and ultrastructure.

Keywords

Picea abies; seedling; pigments; chloroplast; ultrastructure; 2,4-D; herbicide

Hrčak ID:

160839

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/160839

Publication date:

31.12.2001.

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