Effect of fluchloralin on protein synthesis, free amino acids and hydroxyproline content in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Cultivar TMV-2 of groundnut plant {Arachis hypogaea L.) was grown in a nutrient solution containing fluchloralin at the rate of either 2 mg litre^-1 or 4 mg litre“¹. Protein synthesis and hydroxyproline content in the cell walls of roots, stem and leaves were determined. Free amino acids content and total ammonia in leaves and roots were also analysed. Presence of fluchloralin did not adversely affect protein synthesis. No significant effect of herbicide was observed on hydroxyproline content of a purified cell wall fraction of groundnut roots, stem and leaves. The total amount of ammonia increased in roots and leaves of plants which received the higher concentration of fluchloralin. With the exception of aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid and glutamine, free amino acids content decreased considerably with herbicide treatment. Alanine and glycine were strongly reduced. It is suggested that transamination reactions could be affected and the process of senescence may be enhanced.