Plant stress activated by chlorine from disinfectants prepared on the base of sodium hypochlorite

Abstract In this study, the phytotoxicity of disinfectants prepared on the base of sodium hypochlorite was determined. For our tests two commercial products, Savo and Dom Amor, as well as 10% NaClO solution were used. While Savo contained only NaClO, Dom Amor contained NaClO and earthworm enzymes. Products on the base of NaClO are used in households for cleaning and disinfection of floors, furniture, sanitary and kitchen equipment. Savo may be used for the disinfection of drinking waters as well. Products with NaClO are also used for bacteria, algae and pathogens reduction in irrigation waters. As a subject, young seedlings of mustard Sinapis alba L. were used for the study of chronic toxicity. The observed parameters of the inhibition of roots and shoots growth, dry (DM) and fresh (FM) mass as well as photosynthetic pigments production (chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids) and water content in the plants were determined. The results point out that Dom Amor was the most toxic for S. alba seedlings growth and the rank order of the FAC contents for both plant parts was arranged as: Dom Amor > Savo > NaClO. All disinfectants reduced the DM and FM of roots; however, they stimulated biomass production in the shoots. On the basis of the obtained results it could be concluded, that disinfectants stimulated photosynthetic pigments production and reduced water content mainly in the roots. Dom Amor did not significantly reduced the water content in the shoots and for this parameter the following rank orders of inhibition for roots and shoots could be arranged as NaClO > Dom Amor > Savo and NaClO > Savo > Dom Amor, respectively. All commercial products increased chlorophyll a (Chla) and the carotenoids (Car) content in the shoots. As significant increase was confirmed first for Chla whose content in the presence of NaClO at concentration 24 mL/L overextended that in the control by 3.5 times. The rank orders of stimulation for Chla and Car were NaClO > Savo > Dom Amor and Dom Amor > NaClO > Savo, respectively.