Influence of bentazon on pigment contents of Anabaena species

Abstract

Modern paddy cultivation worldwide involves extensive use of agrochemicals. Herbicides may cause acute and genetic toxicity which are perilous for biota. Bentazon is widely used to control weeds in Turkey rice fields in postemergence applications. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of bentazon on the pigment contents of cyanobacteria. Two cyanobacterial species used in this study. The chlorophyll-a, ?-carotene, phycocyanin and allophycocyanin contents were determined spectrophotometrically. In this study, we have shown a clear physiologic distinction betweeen Anabaena sp. GO4 and Anabaena sp. GO10. Among Anabaena strains, the maximum chlorophyll content was determined in Anabaena sp. GO4, whereas the lowest chlorophyll content was shown in Anabaena sp. GO10 by 100 mg/L bentazon concentration. The highest ?-carotene content was found in Anabaena sp. GO4 at initial bentazon concentrations (6.25 and 12.5 mg/L). Similarly, the highest phycocyanin and allophycocyanin contents were shown in Anabaena sp. GO4. The pigment contents of Anabaena sp. GO10 were found as lower at all of bentazon concentrations. In addition to, all of the pigment contents of Anabaena sp. GO10 were partly suppressed up to 25 mg/L bentazon concentration. The pigment contents of two Anabaena sp. were repressed completely at 200 mg/L bentazon concentration. Generally Anabaena sp. GO4 had the best optimal performance of pigment contents in all bentazon concentrations, so it is thought that it is a suitable genus for biofertilizer.