Physiology and Biochemistry Effects of Herbicides Sekator and Zoom on Two Varieties of Wheat (Waha and HD) in Semi-Arid Region

Aims: Herbicides are the most effective tool against the major weeds of cultivated plants, and are necessary in maintaining or increasing crop yields. However, most of these molecules are highly toxic for crop. Their massive and repeatly use can cause adverse effects on all components of the environment. The purpose of this study was to test the toxicity of two herbicides (Sekator and Zoom) on the physiology and biochemistry of hard wheat: Triticum durum Desf and common wheat: Triticum aestivum L in Tebessa. Both of the areas are considered as semi-arid zone of eastern Algeria.
Methodology: The herbicides were applied at tillering stage in the dose full recommended doses (150 ml /ha of Sekator and 120 g/ ha of Zoom). After eight days of treatment leaves were collected to determine different physiological and biochemical parameters (chlorophyll, soluble sugar and proline).
Results: The results validated by statistical analysis revealed that the levels of chlorophyll b and soluble sugars in plants subjected to the effect of two herbicides (Sekator and Zoom ) were significantly lower compared to untreated plants and the chlorophyll a were higher in the variety Waha treated with herbicide Zoom. There was a significant increase in proline content in plant samples treated with the herbicide Zoom in Hidhab variety.
Conclusion: Finally, the determination of herbicide in the leaves of wheat shows a greater diminution in chlorophyll b and soluble sugar for HD variety.