Abstract
Fusilade (fluazifop-p-butyl) is one of the herbicides that inhibit acetyl-CoA carboxylase. The exogenous effect of 30, 60, and 90 ppm fusilade on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Giza 5) leaves was studied. With increasing fusilade concentration, the peanut leaf chlorosis appeared after 7-10 d. Declined leaf pigment contents confirmed the leaf chlorosis. Electron microscopic observation of the fusilade-treated (FT) leaves revealed disorganization in the ultrastructure of mesophyll cell chloroplasts. An increase of plastoglobuli occurrence within chloroplasts and degenerated grana thylakoids were observed in FT leaves. Fusilade treatments induced mainly the enhancement of malondialdehyde content and the activities of peroxidases (guaiacol and ascorbate). On contrary, a decrease in H2O2 content, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities was recorded. Enhancements of the guaiacol and ascorbate peroxidase activities were associated with the decreasing H2O2 content in the FT leaves. Hydrogen peroxide seems not to be involved in the oxidative stress of FT leaves. In the FT leaves, the oxidative stress confirmed by chlorophyll degradation and lipid peroxidation might be caused by the other reactive oxygen species probably due to the decrease of superoxide dismutase activity.