THE EFFECT OF PENDIMETHALIN HERBICIDE ON ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM IN SAFFLOWER

Pendimethaline is a dinitroaniline herbicide compound which selectively controls weeds. It is a cell division and growth inhibitor. In this study, pendimethalin herbicide was applied to Dincer and Remzibey cultivars of Carthamus tinctorius L. in 0.004-0.01 M concentration range after germination. The effects of pendimethalin upon peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-Stransferase (GST) and total phenolic content were investigated on the 24, 48 and 72 hours following the treatment. POD, APX, SOD, CAT and GST activities were increased on the 24, 48 and 72 hours in Dincer while decreased at 72 hour in Remzibey. GSH and GR activity were decreased at 72 hour in Dincer and Remzibey. Total phenolic content decreased at 48 and 72 hours in Dincer and Remzibey. In this study, we determined that pendimethalin herbicide affected the antioxidant enzyme activities in Dincer and Remzibey.