Dual-Mediated Roles of H⁺-ATPase in Alleviating the Phytotoxicity of Imazethapyr to Nontarget Wheat

The regulation solutions and mechanisms of reducing pesticide phytotoxicity to nontarget plants are not well-defined and detailed. Here, we have proposed a new detoxification strategy to control the toxic effects of herbicide imazethapyr (IM) induced in wheat seedlings from the perspective of the plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase. We found that the changes in PM H⁺-ATPase activity have a regulatory effect on the phytotoxic effects induced by IM in plants. Treatment with PM H⁺-ATPase activators restored the reduced auxin content and photosynthetic efficiency caused by IM, thereby promoting plant growth. Application of a PM H⁺-ATPase inhibitor further reduced phosphorus content and significantly increased 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2<i>H</i>,1,4-benzoxazin-3(4<i>H</i>)one (DIMBOA) and jasmonic acid levels. These effects indicate that auxin and DIMBOA may regulate plant growth trends and detoxification effects mediated by PM H⁺-ATPase. This work opens a new strategy for regulating herbicide toxicity to nontarget plants from the PM H⁺-ATPase.