Arabidopsis thaliana: A New Test Species for Phytotoxic Bioassays

Abstract

Lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.) and other crop species are often used in phytotoxic bioassays that are designed to detect allelochemicals. The seeds of these species are considered ideal because they are readily available, germinate rapidly and uniformly, and are routinely used in laboratories around the world. Despite their common use, however, the seeds of these species are often not as sensitive or responsive to some phytotoxic chemicals as are the seeds of other species. While searching for a more sensitive test species for phytotoxic bioassays, the Columbia ecotype of Arabidopsis thaliana exhibited greater sensitivity to seven potent allelochemicals than did lettuce seeds, which, in some cases, did not respond at all to those substances. Sensitivity satisfies one of the criteria for selecting a test species for bioassays. We now report on the results of our study and offer additional reasons for using A. thaliana seeds.

Developmental phytotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles to Arabidopsis thaliana

“…Its small seed size results in a relatively large surface area to volume ratio, which is conducive to higher sensitivity to toxicants [18]. Arabidopsis thaliana is also the first plant to have its genome sequenced [19], which facilitates future work on its molecular response to nanomaterials.…”

Hairy root exudates of allelopathic weed Chenopodium murale L. induce oxidative stress and down-regulate core cell cycle genes in Arabidopsis and wheat seedlings

“…Hereby we present the study of allelopathic effects of C. murale hairy root exudates, applied in the form of root culture media on germination and seedling development of Arabidopsis thaliana. A. thaliana is not only a convenient research object that facilitates the study of genomic responses (Bais et al 2003), but also a very sensitive test species suitable for phytotoxic bioassays (Pennacchio et al 2005). To elucidate some of the C. murale allelopathic mechanisms, the roots and shoots of in vitro grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Arabidopsis seedlings were treated with C. murale root and hairy root phytotoxic media (PMs) and the changes in the activities of antioxidative enzymes-catalases (CAT), peroxidases (POX) and superoxide dismutases (SOD), as well as the expression of the core cell cycle genes-several cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclins (CYCs) were investigated.…”

Dynamic "Symbionts" Linked over Two Centuries: A Tribute to Lynn Margulis (1938–2011)

“…The caryopses of maize, wheat and mustard, with their high amount of starch, should be less permeable to CA. Such relations have been noted in Arabidopsis and lettuce seeds treated with allelochemicals (Pennacchio et al, 2005). Similarly, exposing bulk seed of hairy vetch to 10 -3 M coumarin delayed and reduced germination, and the effect was more pronounced in the small seed class; as a percentage of the control, germination of large, medium and small seeds was 72%, 76% and 55%, respectively, and germination of small seeds was delayed by two days (Williams and Bartholomew, 2011).…”