EFFECTS OF GLYPHOSATE AND FLUAZIFOP-P-BUTYL ON FLAVONOIDS CONTENT AND GROWTH OF COMMON BUCKWHEAT (FAGOPYRUM ESCULENTUM MOENCH)

The effects of glyphosate and fluazifop-P-butyl (Fl) herbicides on the growth of seedlings and content of flavones, flavonols, procyanidins and anthocyanins in the cotyledons of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) were investigated. The herbicides were applied to four-day seedlings of three common buckwheat cultivars by immersing their shoots in for a short period of time in water solution of the herbicides. Five-day exposure to sub-lethal dose of glyphosate led to a large reduction of seedling growth, while Fl had a tendency to slightly stimulate the growth. The obtained results indicate that glyphosate does not affect the different flavonoids to the same extent. The svnthe-sis of C-glycosides of luteolin and apigenin was less reduced by glyphosate than the O-glycosides of quercetin. Generally, Fl had a tendency to increase the accumulation of flavonoids in the cotyledons of common buckwheat. This increase may indicate that the seedlings of common buckwheat are not fully resistant to the herbicide. To our knowledge, this is the first report evaluating the effects of glyphosate and fluazifop-P-butyl application on the flavonoids content in common buckwheat as non-target plants.