Preventive efficiency of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit extract in diniconazole fungicide-treated Allium cepa L. roots

Fabrication of Novel Porous Nano-pesticides by Modifying MPN onto Cu-TCPP MOFs to Enhance Bactericidal Efficacy and Modulate Its Bioavailability

Nano-pesticides have attracted much attention in the field of agriculture, due to existing problems such as decreased bactericidal effect and poor adhesion. An environmentally friendly metal porphyrin (Cu-TCPP)-based nanocarrier pesticide release of diniconazole (DIN) was designed to enhance bactericidal efficacy and modulate its bioavailability in a multidimensional manner by constructing a metal phenolic network (MPN) encapsulation. The introduction of the MPN prevents the DIN from prematurely escaping from the Cu-TCPP@DIN@MPN in the environment and gives it strong interfacial adhesion to resist rain washing. The resulting Cu-TCPP@DIN@MPN nanoparticles (NPs) showed a lamellar stacked embedded structure, which improved the inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum (90.9%) and photostability (67.2%), while they do not affect healthy plant growth and meet the relevant food safety requirements for DIN residues. This work provides new ideas for the development of superior photostable, adhesive, rainwater erosion-resistant, and sustainable nanocarrier pesticides.

Examining the interaction between pesticides and bioindicator plants: an in-depth analysis of their cytotoxicity

Agrochemicals are substances used to prevent, destroy, or mitigate any pest. Their indiscriminate use can cause serious problems in ecosystems, contaminating surface and groundwater and affecting surrounding biota. However, in the environment, various natural processes such as biological degradation and photodegradation can mitigate their persistence and, consequently, their ecotoxicological impact. In this regard, this study aimed to obtain relevant data on the cytotoxic effects produced by pesticides on bioindicator plants. As observed in the literature review, cellular inhibition, nuclear anomalies, and micronucleus index are some of the different impacts commonly known from pesticides. These chemical substances can cause cytogenetic alterations in a plant bioassay. Plant bioindicators such as Allium cepa L, Vicia faba L, Pisum sativum L, Lactuca sativa L, and Lens culinaris Med are very important and effective experimental models for identifying the cytogenotoxicity of pesticides. These have been available for many years. However, they are still used today for their effectiveness in detecting and monitoring chemical substances such as agrochemicals.

Metabolomic approach of azole fungicides in radish (Raphanus sativus): Perspective of functional metabolites

Azole fungicides is one of the major fungicides in agricultural field. In this study, toxic effects of diniconazole (DIN), metconazole (MET), and tebuconazole (TEB) to radish leaves and roots were investigated using targeted metabolomics with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Especially, the changes of functional chemicals, including phytosterols and glucosinolates evaluated. Radish leaves and roots were harvested after 7 days and 14 days from last exposure. In multivariate analysis, the experimental groups showed clear separation in PCA and PLS-DA score plots. Phytosterols and glucosinolates were significantly changed by azole fungicide. Six metabolic pathways which are affected by fungicides were selected and showed similar patterns regardless of the type of azole fungicide used. As a result, azole fungicide induces the defense mechanisms of plants and affects both primary and secondary metabolism.

Assessing the combined toxic effects of metaldehyde mollucide

The excessive use of metaldehyde in agriculture to combat mollusks endangers both the environment and non-target organisms. The aim of this study is to investigate the toxicity caused by metaldehyde in Allium cepa with the help of physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical parameters. Also, DNA fragmentation caused by metaldehyde in root tip cells was measured by the "Comet Assay" method. The control group was germinated with tap water and the application groups were germinated with 20 mg/L metaldehyde, 40 mg/L metaldehyde, 100 mg/L metaldehyde and 200 mg/L metaldehyde for 72 h. The results of the physiological parameters showed that metaldehyde had a growth-limiting effect in A. cepa, depending on the application dose. According to root elongation levels, the EC₅₀ (effective concentration) value for metaldehyde was 60.6 mg/L in A. cepa. As the treatment dose increased, the incidence of micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations gradually increased while mitotic index decreased. Metaldehyde exposure induced damages such as sticky chromosome, fragment, unequal distribution of chromatin, reverse polarization, bridge, and multipolar anaphase. In addition, metaldehyde caused cell damage in epidermis and cortex, thickening of the cortex cell wall and flattened cell nucleus in root meristem. Increasing doses of metaldehyde application also increased malondialdehyde levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. As a result, it has been determined that the toxicity of metaldehyde in plants is versatile and the A. cepa test material is a suitable biological indicator to determine this toxicity.

Novel (Z)/(E)-1,2,4-triazole derivatives containing oxime ether moiety as potential ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors: design, preparation, antifungal evaluation, and molecular docking

Inspired by the highly effective and broad-spectrum antifungal activity of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitions, a series of novel 1,2,4-triazole derivatives containing oxime ether moiety were constructed for screening the bioactivity against phytopathogenic fungi. The (Z)- and (E)-isomers of target compounds were successfully separated and identified by the spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The bioassay results showed that the (Z)-isomers of target compounds possessed higher antifungal activity than the (E)-isomers. Strikingly, the compound (Z)-5o exhibited excellent antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani with the EC₅₀ value of 0.41 μg/mL in vitro and preventive effect of 94.58% in vivo at 200 μg/mL, which was comparable to the positive control tebuconazole. The scanning electron microscopy observation indicated that the compound (Z)-5o caused the mycelial morphology to become wizened and wrinkled. The molecular docking modes of (Z)-5o and (E)-5o with the potential target protein RsCYP51 were especially compared. And the main interactions between ligands and amino acid residues were carefully analyzed to preliminarily explain the mechanism leading to the difference of activity between two isomers. The study provided a new lead molecular skeleton for developing novel triazole fungicides targeting ergosterol biosynthesis.

GC-MS and HPLC supported phytochemical analysis of watercress and the protective role against paraben toxicity

In this study, the phytochemical content of Nasturtium officinale R. Br. (watercress) leaf extract (Noex) and its protective effects against paraben toxicity were investigated. GC-MS and HPLC analyses were performed to determine the phytochemical content. Paraben toxicity and protective properties of Noex were investigated with the Allium test, and 6 different groups were formed for this purpose. Toxicity in each group was investigated by using physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical, and anatomical parameters. DNA-paraben interaction was investigated with spectroscopic analysis for the genotoxicity mechanism. As a result of the study, paraben (500 mM) caused a regression in the physiological parameters related to germination in Allium cepa L. bulbs. Paraben caused a 43.3% reduction in mitotic index (MI) rates compared to control, which is likely the reason for the decrease in germination-related parameters. With the application of paraben in root tip cells, the frequency of micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) increased and a high genotoxic effect was observed. Paraben promoted CAs such as fragment, sticky chromosome, bridge, unequal distribution of chromatin, and irregular mitosis. It also caused anatomical damage in the form of epidermis cell damage, flattened cell nucleus, cortex cell damage, cortex cell walls thickening, and unclear vascular tissue in root tip meristem cells. Paraben-DNA interaction was caused by bathochromic and hypochromic shifts in the UV spectrum of DNA, indicating the intercalation mode of interaction. Paraben also caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels, and abnormalities in antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase = SOD and catalase = CAT), thereby disrupting the antioxidant/oxidant dynamics in the cell. The basis of physiological, cytological, and genetic abnormalities was attributed to the oxidative stress in the cell. Administration of Noex produced a dose-dependent incremental improvement in paraben-induced abnormalities. The increase in GSH levels and the decrease in MDA levels observed as a result of the Noex application contributed to the restoration of antioxidant/oxidant balance, and this improvement was also reflected in other parameters. Application of 200 mg/L Noex provided a 24.2% improvement in the MI rate reduced by paraben, and accordingly, an increase in germination parameters was observed. Similarly, the frequencies of MN and CAs, which are signs of genotoxicity, decreased with the Noex application. As a result of the phytochemical analysis of Noex with HPLC and GC-MS, the presence of strong antioxidant and antimutagenic substances such as rutin, coumaric acid, ferrulic acid, L-serine, L-proline, and phytol were determined in Noex structure. The curative effects of Noex against paraben toxicity can be attributed to these active ingredients.

Acute multiple toxic effects of Trifloxystrobin fungicide on Allium cepa L

Trifloxystrobin (TFS) is a strobilurin-type fungicide that should be investigated due to its risks to non-targeted organisms. The goal of this study was to assess the susceptibility of Allium cepa L. to TFS in a multi-pronged approach. For 72 h, 0.2 g/L, 0.4 g/L and 0.8 g/L doses of TFS were administered to A. cepa bulbs and the control group was treated with tap water. The toxic effects of TFS were tested, considering physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical analyses. TFS delayed growth by reducing the rooting ratio, root elongation and weight increase. Following TFS treatments, mitotic index (MI) scores decreased, while the formation of micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) ascended. CAs types induced by TFS were listed according to their frequency as fragment, vagrant chromosome, sticky chromosome, uneven distribution of chromatin, bridge, nucleus with vacuoles, reverse polarization and irregular mitosis. TFS provoked an increment in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities as well as an accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA). Meristematic cells of A. cepa roots treated with TFS had various anatomical damages, including damaged epidermis, flattened cell nucleus, damaged cortex and thickness in the cortex cell wall. All damages arising from TFS treatments exhibited dose-dependency. The findings of the present study revealed the serious toxicity of TFS in a non-targeted plant. It should not be neglected to evaluate the potential hazards of TFS with different toxicity tests.

Protective role of green tea against paraquat toxicity in Allium cepa L.: physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical, and anatomical assessment

In this study, the toxic effects of paraquat, one of the most commercially sold herbicides in the world, and the protective role of green tea leaf extract (GTLE) against these effects were investigated. Allium cepa L. bulbs (n = 16) were used as test material. One hundred milligrams per liter dose of paraquat and 190 and 380 mg/L doses of GTLE were preferred. Paraquat toxicity was investigated with the help of physiological (percent germination, root length, and weight gain), cytogenetic (mitotic index = MI, micronucleus = MN, and chromosomal damages = CAs), biochemical (superoxide dismutase = SOD, catalase = CAT, malondialdehyde = MDA), and anatomical (meristematic cell damages) parameters. A. cepa bulbs were divided into 6 groups as 1 control and 5 applications. The control group was germinated with tap water, and the application groups were germinated with paraquat and two different doses of GTLE. Germination was carried out at room temperature for 72 h. At the end of the period, A. cepa bulbs were prepared for physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical, and anatomical analyzes using routine preparation techniques. As a result, paraquat application caused a decrease in physiological parameters and an increase in cytogenetic (except MI) and biochemical parameters. Compared to the control (group I), the germination percentage decreased by 38%, root length 12.5 times, and weight gain 5 times decreased in group IV treated with paraquat. MDA level increased 2.58 times, SOD activity 2.48 times, and CAT activity 4.51 times increased. Paraquat application caused a decrease in the percentage of MI and an increase in the number of MN and CAs. Paraquat application caused CAs in the form of fragment, sticky chromosome, unequal distribution of chromatin, bridge, nucleus with vacuoles, nucleus bud, and reverse polarization. In the meristematic cells of the root tips applied paraquat, unclearly vascular tissue, flattened cell nucleus, epidermis, and cortex cell deformation were observed. The application of GTLE together with paraquat caused an increase in the physiological parameter values and a decrease in the cytogenetic (except MI) and biochemical parameter values. An improvement in the severity of damages induced by paraquat was also observed in root tip meristematic cells. It was determined that the improvements observed in all these parameters were related to the dose of GTLE applied. The 380 mg/L dose of GTLE provided more protection than the 190 mg/L dose. Compared to group IV in which paraquat was applied, the germination percentage increased by 21%, root length 5.83 times, and weight gain 2.92 times increased in group VI administered 380 mg/L dose of GTLE. In addition, MDA level decreased 1.78 times, SOD activity 1.59 times and CAT activity 1.65 times. In conclusion, paraquat administration at a dose of 100 mg/L caused physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical, and anatomical toxicity in A. cepa bulbs. GTLE application, on the other hand, resulted in improvements in the severity of this toxicity induced by paraquat, depending on the dose. Therefore, GTLE can be used as an effective nutritional supplement to reduce or prevent the toxicity caused by environmental agents such as pesticides.

Assessment of the ameliorative effect of curcumin on pendimethalin-induced genetic and biochemical toxicity

The present study aimed to assess the toxic effects of pendimethalin herbicide and protective role of curcumin using the Allium test on cytological, biochemical and physiological parameters. The effective concentration (EC₅₀) of pendimethalin was determined at 12 mg/L by the root growth inhibition test as the concentration reducing the root length by 50%. The roots of Allium cepa L. was treated with tap water (group I), 5 mg/L curcumin (group II), 10 mg/L curcumin (group III), 12 mg/L pendimethalin (group IV), 12 mg/L pendimethalin + 5 mg/L curcumin (group V) and 12 mg/L pendimethalin + 10 mg/L curcumin (group VI). The cytological (mitotic index, chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damage), physiological (rooting percentage, root length, growth rate and weight gain) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde level, superoxide dismutase level, catalase level and glutathione reductase level) indicators were determined after 96 h of treatment. The results revealed that pendimethalin treatment reduced rooting percentage, root length, growth rate and weight gain whereas induced chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damage in roots of A. cepa L. Further, pendimethalin exposure elevated malondialdehyde level followed by antioxidant enzymes. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were up-regulated and glutathione reductase was down-regulated. The molecular docking supported the antioxidant enzymes activities result. However, a dose-dependent reduction of pendimethalin toxicity was observed when curcumin was supplied with pendimethalin. The maximum recovery of cytological, physiological and oxidative stress parameters was recorded at 10 mg/L concentration of curcumin. The correlation studies also revealed positive relation of curcumin with rooting percentage, root length, weight gain, mitotic activity and glutathione reductase enzyme level while an inverse correlation was observed with chromosomal abnormalities, DNA damage, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation indicating its protective effect.