The target sites of three herbicides which inhibit carotenoid biosynthesis have been characterized using HPLC analysis of pigment extracts from two higher plant systems, carrot cell suspension cultures and barley seedlings. Diflufenican causes an accumulation of phytoene and phytofluene. Dichlormate causes accumulation of phytoene, phytofluene, ξ-carotene, neurosporene and β-zeacarotene. Amitrole causes accumulation of phytoene, phytofluene, β- γ- and δ-carotenes and lycopene. Significant differences in the geometric and hydroxylated natures of the accumulated precursors occurred between the carrot cell and dark- and light-grown barley. These differences are discussed with respect to both the target sites of the three carotenogenic herbicides and the biosynthetic pathway leading to carotenoid biosynthesis in higher plants.
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