Effect of glyphosate on some protective systems in Zea mays L; [Glifosatın mısır (Zea mays L.)’da bazı koruyucu sistemlere etkisi]

Glyphosate is an herbicide that is applied after non-selective germination and affects plant growth. In this study, glyphosate was applied to Zea mays L. after germination, at a concentration range from 0.017 to 0.145 M in a growth chamber. The effects of this herbicide on some antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, total chlorophyll and total carbohydrate content were investigated on days 1, 5 and 10 following the application. Results showed that peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were increased in the groups treated with glyphosate on days 5 and 10, but the activities of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione reductase (GR) were decreased on day 10. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content indicating lipid peroxidation was increased on days 1, 5 and 10. Changes in total chlorophyll and total carbohydrate contents were found to be time-dependent. These increases and decreases in the antioxidant activities, MDA content, total chlorophyll and total carbohydrate content in Zea mays L. were determined as a symptom of cytotoxicity caused due to glyphosate.