The induction of chickpea glutathione S-transferase by oxadiazon

Treatment of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) with the herbicide oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5- isopropoxyphenyl)-²Δ-1,3,4-oxadiazon-5-one] caused a progressive increase in glutathione S-transferase activity in seedlings, roots, shoots, leaves and stems. The lowest oxadiazon concentration that caused a noticeable elevation in the enzyme activity was 0.02 ppm. The maximum increase in enzyme activity was more than 269% of the control with oxadiazon concentration between 10 and 20 ppm. Oxadiazon treatment of eight-day-old plants increased the enzyme activity in the shoot after 6 hr of exposure, and maximum activity was reached at 24-26 hr. A similar but lower increase in enzyme activity was observed in the shoots of broad bean (Vicia faba) and corn (Zea mays). No significant increase in the enzyme activity was observed in treated lentil (Lens esculenta), bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare).