Trifloxystrobin Pretreatment Alleviates Excessive Copper Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Protective role of Trifloxystrobin pretreatment against excessive copper-related abiotic stress in Triticum aestivum L. was determined in two Turkish wheat cultivars, Sönmez and Gerek 79. Ten-day-old seedlings were pretreated with 20 µM and 80 µM Trifloxystrobin. A group of seedlings was harvested without exposure to Trifloxystrobin as a control. Two days after, seedlings were treated with copper(II) chloride. Seedlings were harvested on the 20th day after sowing. The growth level of the groups was evaluated by measuring the length, fresh weight and shoot dry weight of shoots. Chlorophyll a + b, carotenoid and anthocyanin contents as well as proline levels were assessed. Lipid peroxidation and total activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and glutathione reductase were analyzed to predict the oxidative stress levels. Both cultivars exhibited similar responses to the treatments. Trifloxystrobin doses did not cause damage on plants when applied alone. Seedlings subjected to excessive doses of copper showed significant reductions in growth parameters, as well as chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments. Conversely, copper caused a remarkable increase in anthocyanin, proline and malondialdehyde accumulation. Superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities increased, while glutathione reductase activity decreased in copper-stressed plants. Trifloxystrobin pretreatment strengthens the antioxidant defense system. All parameters were positively affected by Trifloxystrobin pretreatment. As the dose of Trifloxystrobin increased, the severity of stress decreased in both genotypes. Trifloxystrobin pretreatment is a promising method for reducing copper-induced damage in T. aestivum.