Juglone-triggered oxidative responses in seeds of selected cereal agrosystem plant species

Juglone (JU; 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) is an allelochemical synthetized by a wide range of Juglandaceae members. This compound evokes a wide array of detrimental effects in susceptible acceptor plants, including growth inhibition and impairments in the course of biochemical and physiological processes. Therefore, juglone may be considered as a potential bioherbicide in weed control in cereal crops. The purpose of our study was to determine the influence of JU treatment on the content of superoxide anion radical (O2•−) - sensitive and early marker of oxidative stress, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) - enzyme that functions as a crucial component of the first line antioxidative defense in seed tissues. In the study we tested seeds of four selected plant species of cereal agrosystem: corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.), corn cockle (Agrostemma githago L.), spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Nawra), and spring oat (Avena sativa L., cv. Maczo). Additionally, the allelopathic influence of JU on seed germination of the studied plant species was investigated. The seeds were exposed to three examined juglone concentrations: 0.001, 0.1, and 10 mM (4% methanoldeionized water solutions), whereas the control seeds were treated with aqueous methanolic solutions (4%). Obtained results evidenced much more severe suppression of germination process and robust generation of superoxide anion radical in the tested weeds, compared to the cereals, and the crucial role of superoxide dismutase in limiting the juglone-induced oxidative stress in the studied seeds.