Biochemical impacts of triazole fungicides on tomato roots and soil enzyme activities

As a part of commercial fungicides, tebuconazole and penconazole protect crops but may negatively influence non-target organisms. The triazole effect was analyzed after foliar and soil applications on Solanum lycopersicum L. root and soil biochemistry by assessing stress markers and enzyme activities in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. Triazoles particularly persisted in soils with recovery of 86 ± 3% of penconazole and 80 ± 1% of tebuconazole after 35 days. Soil application of triazoles significantly increased (by 51%) total phenolics in roots. Tebuconazole more influenced non-target sites, as shown by a significant increase in the heat shock protein 70 content in roots and by decreasing soil cellulase and chitinase activities (by 45% and 34%). Both triazoles increased the activity of peroxidases in soils, possibly as a way of detoxification. The results highlight the biochemical ramifications of triazole on non-target sites. Future research should follow the effects of triazoles on microbiota that are essential for soil health.