Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Butachlor caused toxicity to duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza in a concentration dependent manner by disrupting growth, photosynthetic pigments and primary metabolism and by activating antioxidant defenses. At 25 and 30 mg L − 1 , the frond number progressively declined after 96 h exposure (~ 40 and ~ 60% reduction). Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll decreased by 71%, 74% and 82.1% respectively and carotenoids decreased by 43% at 30 mg L − 1 . Activities of antioxidant enzymes showed significant increase in superoxide dismutase (+ 92%), catalase (+ 85%), peroxidase (+ 17%) and ascorbate peroxidase (+ 55.1%) as compared to control. Histochemical staining in vivo showed lipid peroxidation (MDA) was increased by 178.6%. Primary metabolites were adversely affected. Carbohydrates and total protein decreased by 77.4% and ~ 91% respectively, while proline accumulated up to + 89.1% at 30 mg L − 1 . These results indicate that butachlor induces oxidative stress and metabolic disturbance in S. polyrhiza , triggers defensive antioxidant and osmoprotective responses but results in significant growth inhibition. The species-specific sensitivities documented here inform ecotoxicological risk assessment and selection of duckweed taxa for phytoremediation of herbicide contaminated waters.
Source: Research Square
Institution: University of Allahabad
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
Funder: University Grants Commission
OpenAlex ID: W7204124679