Photosynthesis and growth responses of grapevine to acetochlor and fluoroglycofen

Acetochlor and fluoroglycofen are herbicides used in vineyards to eradicate weeds. This present study characterized the effects of these chemicals on photosynthetic characteristics and the antioxidant enzyme system in non-target grape leaves. The results showed that acetochlor and fluoroglycofen reduced net photosynthetic rate in a dose-dependent manner, but also reduced or increased pigment contents, respectively. According to chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, acetochlor and fluoroglycofen decreased the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II in the light and increased non-photochemical quenching. These herbicides enhanced malondialdehyde contents and accelerated the superoxide anion production rate in dose-dependent manners, which might be associated with lower antioxidant enzyme activities, especially at higher concentrations of the herbicides. Acetochlor and fluoroglycofen inhibited grapevine growth in the growth season one-year after herbicide treatment, and stem height was inhibited by up to 55.4% and 88.0%, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that both herbicides are detrimental for grape photosynthesis and this might be associated with increased oxidative stress in the first year, while growth inhibition in the second year might be due to after effects of herbicide treatment.

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► Two herbicides (acetochlor and fluoroglycofen) were applied on the soil.
► The photosynthetic rate of grape leaves was reduced in a dose-dependent manner.
► Herbicides caused O2− production rate acceleration and malondialdehyde content accumulation.
► Higher concentration of herbicides reduced antioxidant enzyme activities.
► Herbicides application in the first year inhibited the growth of grapevine in the second year.