Development of procedures to detect plant intoxication by herbicides

Abstract

Intoxications by herbicides can occur due to the application of doses above the tolerated by the crops or by the carrying of part of the drops to out of the application area, possibly depositing on other plants (cultivated or native). The association of possible symptoms of intoxication by specific herbicides or herbicide groups is difficult due to the distinct standards of response shown by different species. The symptoms can also be confused by damages of insects, nutritional deficiences and other biotic and abiotic stresses. This project aims at developing procedures to identify intoxications by herbicides through the intermediate compoounds of the pathways involved on the sinthesys of aromatic and branched aminoacides. The quantitation of the compounds prior to the action field will be prioritized, that tend to accumulate in the plants by action of the herbicides. The considered procedures are advantageous in relation to the quantitation of the herbicides on the plants, because they measure the intoxication intensity directly. It is very complex to quantify herbicides applied in low doses and the presence of the herbicide is not an absolute guarantee of its action, because it can be inactive or in distant compartments from the site of action. Herbicides inhibitors of the ALS and EPSPs will be studied.