The Effect of Phytochrome and Proteinsynthesis-Inhibitors on the Formation of Chlorophylls and Carotenoids in Radish Seedlings Treated with Photosystem II and Bleaching Herbicides

Photosystem II Herbicides, Chlorotic Herbicides, Chlorophylls, Carotenoids, Phytochrome, Inhibitors Etioplasts of radish seedlings treated with photosystem II (DCMU, bentazon) and chlorotic herbicides (amitrole, SAN 6706) were tested on their ability to perform the phytochrome mediated chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis. The cytoplasmic influence on the chloroplastic action of herbicides was also investigated by inhibition of protein synthesis either in the chloro­ plast with chloramphenicol or in the cytoplasm with actidion. In all herbicide treated radish seedlings a phytochrome mediated chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis was obtained as found in control plants. In plants treated with DCMU the bio­ synthesis of carotenoids is enhanced compared to the control plants, while SAN 6706 significantly suppresses the carotenoid formation. It is concluded, that photosystem II and chlorotic herbicides do not interfere with the primary action of phytochrome but rather do develope their effects on the terpenoid metabolism through phytochrome. Chloramphenicol applied at the time of sowing very strongly suppresses the formation of chlorophylls and carotenoids in control plants. The sensitivity towards actidion is, however, very much lower. If chloramphenicol and actidion treated plants were also supplied with herbicides, the pigment pattern is completely different In SAN 6706-treated plants chloramphenicol acts synergistic, resulting in an even lower chlorophyll and carotenoid content than in plants supplied only with chloramphenicol. On the other hand SAN 6706 in combination with actidion enhances the formation of pigments, leading to a much higher chlorophyll and carotenoid content as in plants treated only with actidion. A stimulatory effect on the formation of chlorophylls and carotenoids was also found for DCMU-treated plants in combination with actidion. The observation, that in plants treated with SAN 6706 together with actidion, which inhibits protein synthesis in the cytoplasm, the herbicidal response in the chloroplast is completely abolished, gives evidence that the photooxidative action of SAN 6706 in the chloroplast is developed by the cytoplasm.