Metalaxyl Induced Changes in Protein Metabolism During Germination of Maize

The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of a systemic fungicide metalaxyl as a seed treatment on the protein metabolism of maize during early germination. The study was carried out for 7 days after soaking the seeds in different concentrations of metalaxyl and a control was maintained. Biochemical analyses of whole seedlings were done up to 7 days. Changes in the amount of total soluble protein, total free amino acids, and the activity of protease were performed using standard methods. The results indicate that protein content was maximum on 4 th and 6 th day of germination in both control and treated seeds. Metalaxyl treatment resulted in decreased protein content (20-50% inhibition) over the untreated in a dose dependent manner till the 4 th day of germination. But as the growth proceeded a proportionate increase in the protein content was observed on the 6 th day of germination in fungicide treated seeds compared to the control. The specific activity of protease was decreased by 46%, 81%, 88%, 97% and 100% with 1.5mg, 3mg, 4.5mg, 6mg and 7mg concentration of metalaxyl on 3 rd day of germination when compared to the control. An increase in the total free amino acids occurred during the germination and maximum