Enhancement of CO₂and Ethylene Production and Cellulase Activity by Glyphosate in<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>

Abstract

The effect of glyphosate [ N -(phosphonomethyl)glycine] on carbon dioxide. (CO 2 ) levels, ethylene production, and cellulase activity was investigated. Production of ethylene increased within 12 h and CO 2 increased within 24 h when 12-day-old bean plants ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Red Kidney’) were treated with 20 mM isopropylamine salt of glyphosate. The CO 2 cycled for 3 days and then increased around treated plants. Specific activity of cellulase was increased in debladed bean seedlings that had been pretreated with 20 mM isopropylamine salt of glyphosate. Cellulase enhancement was detected 2 days after the pretreated plants were debladed. Glyphosate-enhanced ethylene production may have increased the cellulase activity.