Photosynthesis & Pigment Synthesis Inhibitors

Josie Hugie, Research and Development Scientist, Syngenta Crop Protection

Email: josie.hugie@syngenta.com

1. Photosynthesis II (PSII) Inhibitors

Uptake & Translocation
Chemistry: Lipophilic – penetrates cuticle
Basic molecules - Xylem mobile only --> Transpiration stream
Mode & Mechanism of action
PSII inhibitors compete with plastoquinone (PQ) at QB binding site of D1 protein
- Blocks electron flow through photosynthesis
- Creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- ROS damage membranes
Resistance http://www.hracglobal.com/
HRAC Group 5
Triazines (atrazine, simazine), Triazinones, Triazolinones, Uracils, Pyridazinones,
Phenyl-carbamates
HRAC Group 6
Nitriles (bromoxynil), benzothiadiazinones, phenyl-pyridazines
HRAC Group 7
Ureas (diuron), Amides
Resistance: Known mechanisms
Target site resistance: Mutation does not favor binding
Metabolism: Less common - Crop tolerance & selectivity
Symptomology
• Soil Applied Symptoms: Initial injury = first photosynthetic leaves
Chlorosis leaf margins & older leaves
 Foliar Applied Symptoms: Chlorosis & necrosis at
leaf tips, older leaves first
• Injury and carryover: greater with late application,
dry season, & soil pH >7.2

2. Pigment synthesis Inhibitors

Mode of action
 Depletion of antioxidants (plant protective pigments)
 Increases damage from reactive oxygen (ROS)
 Damages membranes & cellular compartments
Uptake & translocation
• Weak acids: Penetrate cuticle - Phloem-trapped
• Translocated through phloem to new tissues
Mechanism of action
• HPPD inhibitors: Depletes tocopherols, carotenoids, & plastoquinone
• 1-deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DOXPS) inhibitors:
Deplete carotenoids & plastoquinone
• Phytoene desaturase (PDS) inhibitor: Depletes carotenoids
• Lycopene cyclase inhibitor: Depletes carotenoids

PSII Inhibitors PSII Inhibitors

Photosynthesis review Photosynthesis review
• Photosystem II (PSII) – first • Photosystem II (PSII) – first
site to accept light energy site to accept light energy

• Energy from light drives • Energy from light drives

electron (e-) transfer electron (e-) transfer

• Plastoquinone used to carry • Plastoquinone used to carry

electrons to next protein electrons to next protein
(Cytochrome B6f) (Cytochrome B6f)

Buchanan, 2000 Buchanan, 2000

PSII Inhibitors PSII Inhibitors

Photosynthesis review Mechanism of action
• Photosystem II (PSII) – first
site to accept light energy • PSII inhibitors compete with
PSII inhibitors
plastoquinone (PQ) at QB
• Energy from light drives binding site of D1 protein
electron (e-) transfer
• Blocks electron transfer
• Plastoquinone used to carry through photosynthesis
electrons to next protein
(Cytochrome B6f)

Buchanan, 2000 Buchanan, 2000

PSII Inhibitors
Mechanism of action
ROS
• Compete with plastoquinone
ROS (PQ) as an e- acceptor at QB
ROS
binding site of D1 protein
• Blocks electron transfer
PSII inhibitor
through photosynthesis

• Generates reactive oxygen

species (ROS)
• ROS damage cell walls
• Antioxidants
 partial ROS protection
 (tocopherols (Vit. E), carotenoids)
Buchanan, 2000
 Pigment synthesis Inhibitors
A QUICK BIOCHEMISTRY LESSON

ENZYMES
HPPD – Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase
PDS – Phytoene desaturase
DOXPS – Deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate synthase

Pigment synthesis Inhibitors Pigment synthesis Inhibitors

HPPD inhibitor
Tyrosine HPPD Tocopherols Tyrosine HPPD Tocopherols
(Vit. E) (Vit. E)
Plastoquinone Plastoquinone

PDS inhibitor
Phytoene PDS Carotenoids (beta-carotene) Phytoene PDS Carotenoids (beta-carotene)

Lycopene cyclase inhibitor

Reactive Oxygen Species Quenchers!
DOXPS
ENZYMES
HPPD – Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase
PDS – Phytoene desaturase
DOXPS – Deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate synthase
Lycopene
DOXPS DOXPS inhibitor
ENZYMES
HPPD – Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase
PDS – Phytoene desaturase
DOXPS – Deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate synthase
Resistance
 HRAC Group 11 (lycopene cyclase)
Triazoles (amitrole)
 HRAC Group 12 (phytoene desaturase)
Pyridazinones (norflurazon), pyridinecarboxamides, ‘other’ - fluridone
 HRAC Group 13 (unknown)
Isoxizolidinones (DOXP synthase inhibitor), Ureas, Diphenyl ethers
 HRAC Group 27 (HPPD)
Triketones (mesotrione), isoxazoles, pyrazoles

Symptomology
• New tissue chlorotic or white
• Bleached tissue - necrotic

3. Interaction of PSII & Pigment inhibitors

Photosynthesis inhibitors Photosynthesis inhibitors

AND Pigment inhibitors AND Pigment inhibitors
Tocopherols, • PSII inhibitors Tocopherols, • PSII inhibitors
ROS Carotenoids ROS Carotenoids
- block electron flow - block electron flow
ROS - generate reactive oxygen ROS - generate reactive oxygen
PSII inhibitor PSII inhibitor

• Pigments (tocopherols & • Pigment inhibitors

carotenoids - block synthesis of protective
- Quench ROS & excess energy molecules
- removing protection from ROS
(reactive oxygen species)

Buchanan, 2000 Buchanan, 2000

4. Summary
• Photosystem II (PSII) inhibitors
– Xylem mobile
– Block electron transfer
– Reactive species generation
– Necrosis on leaf margins, older leaves
• Pigment synthesis inhibitors
– Phloem mobile
– Block antioxidant synthesis
– Increased Reactive Oxygen Species damage
– Chlorotic or bleached young tissue