Pyroxsulam Boosts Wheat Tolerance to Bixlozone: Effects and Mechanisms.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Physiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Bixlozone is a herbicide with potential for wheat production in China.
• Bixlozone application often results in phytotoxicity, negatively impacting wheat.
• Developing strategies to mitigate herbicide injury is crucial for crop yield and sustainable agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate pyroxsulam's ability to reduce bixlozone-induced phytotoxicity in wheat.
• To understand the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying pyroxsulam's protective effects.
• To assess if pyroxsulam compromises bixlozone's weed control efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Wheat was treated with bixlozone alone and in combination with pyroxsulam.
• Physiological assessments included monitoring chlorosis, tiller formation, and grain yield.
• Photosynthetic pigment levels and photosystem II (PSII) function were analyzed.
• Transcriptome profiling and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to examine gene expression.

Main Results:

• Co-treatment with pyroxsulam significantly alleviated bixlozone-induced chlorosis and restored tiller number and grain yield.
• Pyroxsulam application mitigated the reduction in chlorophyll and carotenoid levels caused by bixlozone, improving PSII function.
• Transcriptome analysis revealed pyroxsulam strongly induced detoxification pathways, including glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters.
• qRT-PCR confirmed the upregulation of detoxification genes like ABCC8-X1, GSTU6, and ABCC10.

Conclusions:

• Pyroxsulam enhances wheat tolerance to bixlozone by stimulating endogenous detoxification systems.
• The study provides mechanistic insights into crop-herbicide interactions and safer herbicide mixture development.
• Findings support improved herbicide management strategies for sustainable agricultural systems.