Uptake and reaction to roundup ultra 360 SL in soybean seedlings

Due to the widespread and frequent use of Roundup Ultra 360 SL in crops production, the active substance glyphosate is often present (in the soil or in post-harvest remnants) and may be toxic to plants, including the non-target species. The aim of the current study was to determine the sensitivity of young soybean seedlings to glyphosate in concentrations ranging from 0 to 10 μM. It was demonstrated that the seedlings take small quantities of soil glyphosate up. More of the active substance was found in the shoots than in the roots. From the doses applied, the plant absorbs up to 4% of soil glyphosate, while over 96% remains in the soil. This suggests that only 4% of glyphosate taken up from the soil affects plant seedling development and water management. It modifies the contents of the biogenic amines cadaverine and putrescine as well as the activity of enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, i.e. ornithine decarboxylase and lysine decarboxylase. The free radical content of the roots increased with increasing herbicide doses and time of exposure. The main enzyme involved in the rapid removal of free radicals was superoxide peroxidase, activated by the herbicide treatment, while catalase was not significantly stimulated.