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Phytotoxic effects of β-pinene on early growth and associated biochemical changes in rice

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Abstract

β-Pinene, an oxygenated monoterpene, is one of the major monoterpenes emitted into the atmosphere from forest areas and trees. Besides, it is a principal component of essential oils of a number of aromatic plants, which are involved in a variety of ecological interactions, including allelopathy, in the natural environment. However, studies pertaining to phytotoxicity and biochemical effect(s) of β-pinene are largely lacking. We investigated the effect of β-pinene (0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.20, 0.40 and 0.80 mg/ml) in a dose- and time-dependent manner on early seedling growth, dry weight accumulation, photosynthetic pigments and changes in macromolecule (protein and carbohydrate) content and activities of enzymes—proteases, α- and β-amylases, polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases- in rice (Oryza sativa) after 3rd, 5th and 7th day of exposure. β-pinene (≥0.04 mg/ml) significantly reduced the root (by 13–87%) and coleoptile (by 5–80%) length of rice. Exposure to β-pinene reduced total chlorophyll content in rice coleoptiles suggesting a negative impact on photosynthesis. The content of macromolecules (proteins and carbohydrates) enhanced significantly in response to β-pinene, whereas the activities of hydrolyzing enzymes—proteases, α-amylases, and β-amylases—declined (by 30–85, 26–84, 27–74%, respectively) in β-pinene-exposed seedlings. In contrast, the activities of peroxidases (POX) and polyphenol oxidases (PPO) enhanced significantly (by 16–152 and 53–290%, respectively) in rice roots in response to β-pinene in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Increased activities of POX and PPO indicate their involvement in providing protection and/or conferring resistance against β-pinene-induced stress. The study concludes that β-pinene inhibits the early growth of rice by altering the plant biochemical status and enhancing activities of POXs and PPOs involved in general plant defense.

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Acknowledgments

Nadia Chowhan is thankful to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for the BSR fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Nadia Chowhan, Daizy R. Batish & Ravinder K. Kohli

  2. Department of Environment and Vocational Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Harminder Pal Singh

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  1. Nadia Chowhan
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  2. Harminder Pal Singh
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  3. Daizy R. Batish
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  4. Ravinder K. Kohli
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Correspondence to Daizy R. Batish.

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Communicated by B. Zheng.

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Chowhan, N., Singh, H.P., Batish, D.R. et al. Phytotoxic effects of β-pinene on early growth and associated biochemical changes in rice. Acta Physiol Plant 33, 2369–2376 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-011-0777-x

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