Effect of Photosystem II Inhibitors on Thylakoid Membranes of Two Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris)Biotypes

Abstract

Thylakoid membranes isolated from chloroplasts of atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine]-susceptible (S) and -resistant (R) biotypes of common groundsel (Senecio vulgarisL.) were assayed to determine the effect of diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea], bromacil (5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil) and severals-triazine herbicides on photosystem II (PSII) activity. Each herbicide inhibited photosynthetic electron transport on the reducing side of PSII in thylakoid membranes from the susceptible biotype. Thylakoids isolated from the resistant biotype were 60 to 3200 times more tolerant to the inhibitors than thylakoids from the susceptible biotype. Electrophoretic analysis revealed no differences in molecular weight of membrane polypeptides of either common groundsel biotype. Three-hour dark incubation did not enhance inhibitor activity in the resistant-type thylakoid membranes. Specific structural or configurational changes associated with the reactive site may account for the differences in Hill reaction inhibition between biotypes. A relationship between herbicide structure and Hill reaction activity is discussed.