Acifluorfen-induced isoflavonoids and enzymes of their biosynthesis in mature soybean leaves : whole leaf and mesophyll responses

Mature soybean (Glycine max L. cv Harosoy 63) leaves normally contain kaempferol-3-glycosides but they accumulate no other flavonoids. Whole leaves sprayed with the diphenyl ether herbicide Acifluorfen and maintained in the light developed small necrotic lesions and accumulated isoflavone aglycones, isoflavone glucosides, and pterocarpans. Isoflavonoid accumulation was preceded by induced activity for chalcone synthase (CHS) and by increased activity for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and UDP-glucose:isoflavone 7-O-glucosyl transferase (IGT). PAL and CHS activity was highest between 24 and 30 hours after treatment, isoflavone aglycones and pterocarpans at 48 hours, IGT at 72 hours, and isoflavone glucosides at 96 hours.