Effect of Spirotetramat Application on Salicylic Acid, Antioxidative Enzymes, Amino Acids, Mineral Elements, and Soluble Carbohydrates in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Pesticide application may have adverse effects on crop plants. This study provides initial evidence on the effect of spirotetramat, an insecticide, on plant physiological characteristics as a non-target organism. Cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) exposed to spirotetramat were studied 10 days after treatment. There was an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. The amounts of malondialdehyde, total chlorophyll, and hydrogen peroxide in addition to electrolyte leakage index were not affected by spirotetramat. Further biochemical analyses revealed an increase in the content of some amino acids, as well as sucrose, glucose, and fructose. The concentration of salicylic acid and also minerals like calcium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron, nitrogen, and magnesium were elevated in spirotetramat-treated plants. Results have shown that spirotetramat can manipulate cucumber plant physiology by inducing biochemical responses that are reflected in changes in antioxidative enzymes, amino acids, soluble carbohydrates, salicylic acid, and mineral elements. Contrary to previous documents suggesting that plants are less influenced by insecticides in conducted conditions, our results show that cucumber plants can be affected by spirotetramat at the recommended rate in different biochemical aspects in greenhouses.