Does Spraying of Atrazine on Triazine-Resistant Canola Hybrid Impair Photosynthetic Processes?

ABSTRACT: Canola is an important rotation crop for the winter season and the use of atrazine-resistant hybrids can lead to an increase in yield. This work was aimed at evaluating the effect of atrazine on photochemical and biochemical processes of photosynthesis in triazine-resistant canola. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with triazine-resistant hybrid Hyola® 555TT, in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of application or no application of atrazine on canola plants. The plants were assessed at one, three, five, and eight days after application (DAA) for chlorophyll indexes, modulated chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas exchange. Chlorophyll indexes were higher in canola plants treated with atrazine. Application of atrazine caused an increase in fluorescence at steady state and a reduction in quantum efficiency of photosystem II and electron transport rate, at 1 DAA, and a reduction in photochemical quenching, at 1 and 3 DAA. Lower stomatal conductance, at 1 DAA, and higher net carbon assimilation rate, at 8 DAA, were found in plants treated with atrazine. The application of atrazine temporarily reduces electron transport between photosystems and increases chlorophyll indexes in resistant canola plants, raising the net carbon assimilation rate at eight days after application