title: Cellular evidence of allelopathic interference of benzoic acid to mustard (Brassica juncea L.) seedling growth.
abstract: Cellular changes in the roots of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) grown in soil treated with 1.09, 1.46 and 1.83 mg benzoic acid per g soil, a known allelochemical, were analyzed after 7 days. The recoverable concentration of 1.09, 1.46 and 1.8 mg benzoic acid per g soil (measured by high performance liquid chromatography) was 68, 150 and 250 microg benzoic acid per g soil, respectively. The benzoic acid treatments suppressed root growth by 30.5%, 58.8% and 81.1% with increasing concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy studies of roots showed irregular shaped cells arranged in disorganized manner and disruption of cell organelles at cellular level. Root cells showed dissolution of middle lamella (at 68 and 150 microg benzoic acid per g soil) but intact middle lamella with increased wall deposits was observed with 250 microg benzoic acid per g soil. Damage to the mustard root at cellular level was evidenced by changes in cell morphology and internal organization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Harleen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.lastname: Inderjit
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaushik
mesh_terms: D019817:Benzoic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009149:Mustard Plant / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D019817:Benzoic Acid