PHYTOTOXICITY, UPTAKE AND METABOLISM OF 1,4-DICHLOROBENZENE BY PLANT-CELLS

Phytotoxicity, uptake, and metabolism of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB) by carrot (Daucus carota L.), soybean (Glycine max. L.), tomato (Lyco persicon esculentum Mill.), and red goosefoot (Chenopodiun rubrum L.) cell suspension cultures were studied. Sealed glass systems were utili zed for the investigation because 1,4-DCB is volatile. The sealed syst ems affect the growth of plant cells, but do not provide different res ults when testing xenobiotic uptake and metabolism. 1,4-Dichlorobenzen e (40 mu g in 40 mi medium) was taken up by carrot (49%), soybean (50% ), and red goosefoot (62%) cells. Only the soybean cell cultures provi ded evidence of the existence of metabolites of this compound, probabl y conjugates of chlorophenols. Conditions for phytotoxicity tests were modified because the growth of cell cultures was affected when sealed for longer than 2 d. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene is toxic to cell cultures of the three tested plant species (tomato, soybean, and carrot). Concent rations of 0.5 mM caused 50% growth inhibition in carrot and soybean c ultures. The tomato cultures were more sensitive, with 0.05 mM causing 50% growth inhibition.