Short Communication

Effects of artea, a systemic fungicide, on the antioxidant system and the respiratory activity of durum wheat (Triticum durum L.)

Youbi Mustapha¹*, Djebar Med Réda¹, Berrebbah Houria¹ and Hennouni Nacira²

¹Laboratoire de Toxicologie Cellulaire, université de Annaba, B.P. 23000, Algérie.

²Centre Universitaire d’El-Tarf, B.P. 36000, Algérie.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: youbi_mustapha@yahoo.fr

Abbreviations: APX, Ascorbate-peroxidase; CAT, catalase; GPX, guaiacol-peroxidase; SOD, super-oxide dismutase; ROS, reactrive oxygen species. 

Accepted 6 May, 2006

The present work aimed at the study of the effects of Artea, a systemic azole fungicide, on durum Wheat (Triticum durum L. cv. GTA dur). Seeds were grown in a medium containing respectively 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm of Artea under controlled conditions. Roots of eight-day-old plants were used to determine catalase, ascorbate-peroxidase and guaïacol-peroxidase enzymatic activities. Root respiratory activity was also determined using a polarographic method (Clark electrode). Treatment with Artea resulted in an enhancement of respiratory activity and increased antioxidative enzymatic levels in durum wheat roots. Activities of catalase, ascorbate-peroxydase and guaïacol-peroxydase increased proportionally and were more meaningful at high concentrations (75 and 100 ppm) compared with controls. Modulations in respiratory metabolism and antioxidant system could probably be the result of Artea induced toxicity which could lead to an oxidative stress state. The present study enhances previous works relevant to the toxic effects induced by azole fungicides on plants.  

Key words: Toxicity, respiratory activity, antioxidant system, azole fungicides.