Influence of the herbicides hexazinone and chlorsulfuron on the metabolism of isolated soybean leaf cells

The effects of the herbicides hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione] and chlorsulfuron (2-chloro-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl]benzenesulfonamide) on the metabolism of enzymatically isolated leaf cells from soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr., cv. ‘Essex’] were examined. Photosynthesis, protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and lipid syntheses were assayed by the incorporation of specific radioactive substrates into the isolated soybean leaf cells. These specific substrates were NaH¹⁴CO₃, [¹⁴C]leucine, [¹⁴C]uracil, and [¹⁴C]acetate, respectively. Time-course and concentration studies included incubation periods of 30, 60, and 120 min and concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μM of both herbicides. Photosynthesis was the most sensitive and first metabolic process inhibited by hexazinone. RNA and lipid syntheses were also inhibited significantly by hexazinone whereas the effect of this herbicide on protein synthesis was less. The most sensitive and first metabolic process inhibited by chlorsulfuron was lipid synthesis. Photosynthesis, RNA, and protein syntheses were affected significantly only by the highest concentration of this herbicide and longest exposure. Although these two herbicides may exert their herbicidal action by affecting other plant metabolic processes not examined in this study, hexazinone appears to be a strong photosynthetic inhibitor, while the herbicidal action of chlorsulfuron appeared to be related to its effects on lipid synthesis.     

Physiological effects of buthidazole on Zea mays L., Amaratithus retroflexus L., Medicago sativa L. and Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv.*

Buthidazole (3-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3.4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-l-methyl-2-imidazolidinone) at concentrations of 10^?6-10^?4M did not affect germination of corn (Zea mays L.,‘Pioneer 3780’), redroot pigweed (Amaranlhus retroflexus L.), alfalfa (Medicago saliva L., ‘Vernal’), and quackgrass (Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv.) seeds. Stressing the seeds obtained from mature corn plants treated either pre-emergence or pre- plant incorporated with buthidazole at several rates by accelerated ageing and cold treatments further indicated that this herbicide did not affect germination. Total photosynthesis and dark respiration of corn plants 12 days after pre-emergence application and of redroot pigweed, alfalfa, and quackgrass plants after postemergence application of buthidazole at several rates were measured with an infrared CO₂ analyser. The results suggested that buthidazole was a rapid inhibitor of photosynthesis of the sensitive redroot pigweed and quackgrass plants, with less effect on corn and alfalfa. Buthidazole did not affect respiration of the examined species except for a transitory increase in corn and alfalfa 12 days after pre-emergence or 4 h after postemergence treatment with buthidazole at 0.56 or 1.12 and 2.24 kg/ha, respectively. A long-term inhibition of quackgrass respiration 96 h after treatment with buthidazole at 1.12 and 224 kg/ha was also evident.     

Comparative effects of three isoxazole-urea herbicidal derivatives on the metabolism of enzymatically isolated soybean leaf cells*

The effects of the herbicide isouron and of its plant degradation products designated as metabolite l {N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-isoxazolyl]-N-methylurea} and metabolite 2 {N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-isoxazolyl]-urea} on the metabolism of enzymatically isolated leaf cells of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr., cv. Essex] were compared under laboratory conditions. Photosynthesis, protein synthesis, ribonucleic acid synthesis, and lipid synthesis were assayed by the incorporation of NaH¹⁴CO₃, [¹⁴C]-leucine, [¹⁴C]-uracil, and [¹⁴C]-acetate, respectively, into the isolated cells. Time-course and concentration studies included incubation periods of 30, 60, and 120 min and concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μM of the three herbicides. The urea derivative of isouron (metabolite 2) was the least active of the three compounds. The activity of the mono-methylated derivative of isouron (metabolite 1) was comparable to that of isouron and the sensitivity of the four processes to both chemicals decreased in the order: photosynthesis > ribonucleic acid synthesis > lipid synthesis > protein synthesis. The concentration of isouron that caused a 50% inhibition of photosynthesis of the isolated soybean leaf cells was calculated at 0.51 μM. The effects of isouron and metabolite 1 on photosynthesis, lipid and RNA synthesis appeared to be independent of incubation lime as maximal inhibition occurred within 30 min. Inhibition of protein synthesis by both chemicals was time-dependent, increasing in magnitude with concomitant increases in incubation time.     

Metabolism of 14C-buthidazole in corn (Zea mays L.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.)*

The pattern of buthidazole {3-[5-(1,1-dimethyl ethyl)-1,3,4- thiadiazol -2-y1]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone} metabolism and its potential contribution to crop selectivity were studied in tolerant corn (Zea mays L., ‘Pioneer 3780’) and susceptible redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L). Thin-Layer Chromatographic (TLC) analysis of methanol soluble extracts revealed that both corn and redroot pigweed seedlings metabolized buthidazole in a similar manner but at different rates. At comparable time periods redroot pigweed contained a greater percentage of unmetabolized ¹⁴C-buthidazole than did corn. A major unidentified metabolite with polar properties was formed faster in corn that in redroot pigweed and appeared to be important for the observed crop selectivity of buthidazole. Additional metabolites of buthidazole formed in both species had TLC properties similar to those of the amine, urea, and dihydroxy derivatives of buthidazole.     

Characterization of herbicidal injury by acifluorfen-methyl in excised cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons

Initial signs of herbicidal injury by several diphenyl ether herbicides were monitored by following the efflux of ⁸⁶Rb⁺ from treated cucumber (Cucumis sativis L.) cotyledons after exposure to light (600 μE m^?2 sec^?1; measured as PAR, i.e., photosynthetically active radiation between 400 and 700 nm). This very sensitive, rapid, and quantitative bioassay proved quite useful in (a) a structure-activity correlations study of the diphenyl ether compounds investigated and (b) an examination of herbicidal characteristics. The following diphenyl ether herbicides were analyzed: acifluorfen, sodium 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluormethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoate; acifluorfen-methyl (MC-10108), methyl 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoate; bifenox, methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate; nitrofen, 2,4-dichlorophenyl p-nitrophenyl ether; nitrofluorfen, 2-chloro-1-(4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene; oxyfluorfen, 2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene; MC-7783, potassium 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate; and MC-10982, ethyl 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoate. Of the compounds investigated, acifluorfen-methyl (AFM) had the greatest degree of herbicidal activity. Cucumber cotyledons placed in high light (600 μE m^?2 sec^?1; PAR) with 10 nM AFM showed a significant increase in the efflux of ⁸⁶Rb⁺ within 2 to 4 hr. Light was required for herbicidal activity by AFM, and when treated cotyledons were returned to darkness, no further damage to the tissue occurred. By decreasing the quantity of light, the effect of the compound was delayed, although the magnitudes of the responses at the different intensities (600, 300, 150, and 75 μE m^?2 sec^?1; PAR) were nearly equal. By increasing the length of time of dark pretreatment with 1 μM AFM, ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux could be detected as early as 10 to 15 min after exposure to light (600 μE m^?2 sec^?1; PAR). Following light activation of AFM there was a simultaneous efflux of ⁸⁶Rb⁺, ³⁶Cl^?, ⁴⁵Ca²⁺, 3-O-methyl-[¹⁴C]glucose, and [¹⁴C]methylamine⁺. These data suggest the initial response to the herbicidal activity of AFM is expressed as a general increase in membrane permeability.     

Studies on residues and the metabolic pathway of methidathion in tomato fruit

The residues and metabolism of methidathion [S-(2, 3-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1, 3, 4-thiadiazol-3-ylmethyl) O, O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate] and its secondary metabolites: demethyl-methidathion [S-(2, 3-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1, 3, 4-thiadiazol-3-ylmethyl) O-methyl O-hydrogen phosphorodithioate] ( IV ), the sulphide (2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-3-methylthiomethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one) ( I ), tsulphoxide(2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-3- methylsulphinylmethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one) ( II ) and the sulphone (2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-3-methylsulphonylmethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one ( III ) were studied in laboratory-treated tomato fruit. The metabolites and residues of methidathion were determined for the applied doses of 1, 7 and 14 mg of methidathion kg^?1 of fruit. Methidathion was metabolised extensively over a 14-day period. The amount of metabolites formed was a function of both the applied dose as well as the time after application. Major water-soluble metabolites were found to be IV and the cysteine conjugate S-(2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,3,4-thiadiazol-3-ylmethyl)-L-cysteine ( VI ). The chloroform-soluble metabolites were identified as the oxygen analogue of methidathion [S-(2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,3,4-thiadiazol-3-ylmethyl) O, O-dimethyl phosphorothioate] ( V ), the sulphoxide II , and the hydroxy compound 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one. The oxygen analogue of methidathion ( V ) was found in small amounts, corresponding to <5% of the added methidathion. Demethyl-methidathion ( IV ) appeared to be a precursor in the formation of the cysteine conjugate VI . The sulphide I seemed to be more reactive in forming the cysteine conjugate than the sulphoxide II or the sulphone III .     

Pesticide inhibition of growth and macromolecular synthesis in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum

The effects of two pesticides, dieldrin and captan, upon the growth and macromolecular syntheses of the vegetative cells of Dictyostelium discoideum strain Ax-2 were investigated. Dieldrin at a concentration of 5 μg/ml inhibited growth as well as the synthesis of RNA, DNA, and protein, while as little as 1 μg/ml of captan produced the same effects. After a 1-hr exposure to either pesticide, all macromolecular syntheses ceased. Within a period of 5 to 10 hr the amoebae began to shrink, and eventually some lysis occurred. Lysis was most pronounced in cells incubated with captan. When the amoebae were grown in the presence of 5 μg/ml of either pesticide and then washed and resuspended in fresh medium, the effects on growth were annulled. No growth inhibition was observed when 0.05 M cysteine was added prior to the addition of 5 μg/ml of captan. Further experimentation to study possible degradation effects of these two synthetic pesticides upon RNA and protein molecules showed that breakdown of these macromolecules into TCA-soluble units did not occur. Preliminary studies have also shown that [2-¹⁴C]uracil and [¹⁴C]amino acids are taken up in their respective pools in the presence of captan or dieldrin.     

吡啶衍生物研究(IX):N-(1-甲氧羰基)乙基-N-[5-(2-氯吡啶-4-基)-1,3,4-噻二唑-2-基]酰胺的合成及除草活性

为了进一步研究前期发现的除草先导化合物2-仲丁氨基-5-(2-氯吡啶-4-基)-1，3，4-噻二唑(BCPT)的结构-活性关系并提高其除草活性，设计并合成了一系列N-(1-甲氧羰基)乙基-N-[5-(2-氯吡啶-4-基)-1，3，4-噻二唑-2-基]酰胺类化合物。其苗后除草活性测定结果表明，所有化合物的活性都远低于BCPT本身。说明BCPT可能具有与传统酰胺类除草剂不同的作用机制。     

Effects of the herbicide EPTC and the protectant DDCA on incorporation and distribution of [2-14C]acetate into major lipid fractions of maize cell suspension cultures

The rapid effects of the herbicide EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) and the protectant DDCA (N,N-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide) on [2-¹⁴C]acetate incorporation into lipids of maize cell cultures were studied in order to determine whether they act at similar sites of lipid synthesis. DDCA, at 0.05 mM and 0.1 mM, increased the incorporation of [2-¹⁴C]acetate into neutral lipids of a total lipid extract within 2 h. It had very little effect on the major polar lipid constituents. DDCA altered neither the distribution of label within the major lipid classes, nor turnover of the major lipids within 2 h. EPTC (0.1 mM) inhibited overall uptake of [2-¹⁴C]acetate into both neutral and polar lipids by about 30% after a 2-h incubation. The major polar lipid affected was an unidentified glycolipid. In addition to reducing the quantity of lipids synthesized, EPTC changed the lipid profile, altering the distribution of label, mainly within the neutral lipid fraction. A crude membrane fraction from maize cells contained both polar lipids and some neutral lipids. DDCA stimulated [2-¹⁴C]acetate incorporation into different lipid species. EPTC inhibited incorporation of [2-¹⁴C]acetate into both neutral and polar membrane lipids but altered significantly only its distribution into neutral lipids. DDCA (0.1 mM) given together with EPTC (0.2 mM) partially counteracted the effect of EPTC within the neutral lipid fraction. It is suggested that DDCA has a rapid effect on lipid synthesis, but it is probably not sufficient to account for the entire mode of action of the protectant.     

Rapid effects of a thiocarbamate herbicide and its dichloroacetamide protectant on macromolecular syntheses and glutathione levels in maize cell cultures

The rapid effects of the thiocarbamate herbicide S-ethyl dipropyl thiocarbamate (EPTC) and the herbicide protectant N,N-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide (DDCA) on macromolecular syntheses and glutathione (GSH) levels in maize cell cultures were studied to determine whether stimulation of GSH could be the primary mechanism of action of DDCA. EPTC (0.5 and 1 mM) reduced incorporation of radioactive precursors within 1 hr after treatment, and affected incorporation of [³H]acetate into lipids more than incorporation of [³H]adenosine into acid-precipitable nucleic acids, or [¹⁴C]protein hydrolysate into protein. [¹⁴C]EPTC was rapidly biotransformed within 8 hr by maize cell suspensions. Measureable decreases in GSH levels following treatment with 1 mM EPTC occurred after 15 hr. DDCA stimulated incorporation of [³H]acetate into lipids within 4 hr but did not affect incorporation of [¹⁴C]protein hydrolysate into protein or [³H]adenosine incorporation into nucleic acids. Measureable increases in GSH following DDCA treatment began after 12 hr. Treatment with EPTC and DDCA in combination inhibited incorporation of [³H]acetate into lipids less than EPTC given alone. Increases in GSH levels could be observed following pretreatments with glutathione precursors, but no protectant activity could be detected, in contrast to treatments with DDCA. It is suggested that DDCA has an initial rapid effect on lipid metabolism followed by a slower effect involving increases in cellular GSH.     

S-Ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate, N,N-Diallyl-2-chloroacetamide,and 2-chloroallyl diethyldithiocarbamate influence on sulfhydryl-dependent sucrose accumulation

l-[U-¹⁴C]sucrose accumulation by phloem sieve tube members (PSTM) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Holley’) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. ‘G522 DR’) was inhibited by the nonpermeant sulfhydryl inhibitor p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid (PCMBS), and this inhibition was reversed by the permeant sulfhydryl protectants dithiothreitol (DTT) and dithioerythritol (DTE). S-Ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC) (≤0.1 mM) did not inhibit [¹⁴C]sucrose accumulation by wheat or sorghum PSTM. N-N-Diallyl-2-chloroacetamide (CDAA) (1 mM) inhibited [¹⁴C]sucrose accumulation by sorghum but not by wheat PSTM. The inhibition of [¹⁴C]sucrose accumulation in sorghum PSTM by the membrane permeant CDAA was reversed by DTT. Sorghum growth was inhibited by <1 μM CDAA. Membrane permeant 2-chloroallyl diethyldithiocarbamate (CDEC) (0.1 mM) inhibited [¹⁴C]sucrose accumulation by PSTM of sorghum but not wheat. The inhibition of sucrose accumulation in sorghum PSTM by 0.1 mM CDEC was reversed by DDT.     

A sensitive method for the determination of residues of N,N'-Bis(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)methanediamine in rice

A sensitive method for the isolation, clean-up and thin-layer chromatographic semi-quantitative determination of residues of N,N'-bis(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)methanediamine ( II ) in rice is reported. The residue from II in rice was found to be its degradation product 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylamine ( I ). The mean recovery by this method was 85%, and the lowest limit of determination was 0.01 mg kg^?f. Using this proposed technique, the residues of I and II in various field-treated rice samples were studied.     

Inhibition of conversion of geranylgeranyl-chlorophyll to phytol-chlorophyll by S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC)

The influence of EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) on the hydrogenation of geranylgeranylchlorophyll (GG-Chl) to phytol-Chl was studied during the greening (6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, and 48-hr incandescent light exposure) of etiolated wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) cv “Stacy”] and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv “G 522DR”] seedlings grown in nutrient solution containing ¹⁴C-labeled sodium acetate. Chloroplast pigment synthesis occurred and small quantities of GG-Chl were found in both Chl^?a and Chl^?b. When wheat seedlings were greened for 48 hr in an EPTC concentration series (1 nM to 100 μM), geranylgeraniol (GG) content increased from 11% (control) to 60% (100 μM EPTC) of the isoprenoid alcohol esterified to chlorophyllide a, but Chl-b contained ≤1% GG-Chl at all concentrations of EPTC. Sorghum seedlings greened for 48 hr in the same EPTC concentration series contained about 3% GG (control) while 100 and 40% GG esterified to chlorophyllide a and chlorophyllide b, respectively, after 48 hr exposure to 100 μM EPTC. Thus, EPTC prevented hydrogenation of GG-Chl to phytol-Chl on the Chl molecule more in sorghum than in wheat.     

Mode of action of triadimefon in Ustilago avenae

Triadimefon [1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanone], 1.5–2.0 μ/ml, inhibited the multiplication of sporidia of Ustilago avenae more strongly than it did the increase of dry weight. The treated sporidia appeared swollen, multicellular, and branched. At concentrations of 1.5–100 μg of triadimefon/ml, the oxidation of glucose was not affected. Increase in dry weight and synthesis of protein, RNA, and DNA were inhibited slightly, whereas cell division was acutely arrested. After an incubation period of 9.5 hr, microscopic studies revealed that daughter cells of the treated sporidia also contained one nucleus. In sporidia treated for 6 hr with triadimefon, both the total lipid content and its composition of fatty acids were not appreciably altered. The treated cells, however, differed from control cells by a higher content of free fatty acids. Triadimefon markedly interfered in sterol biosynthesis in Ustilago avenae. Gas chromatographic (glc) analysis and [¹⁴C]acetate incorporation studies indicated that ergosterol biosynthesis was almost completely inhibited by triadimefon; on the other hand, sterol compounds representing precursors of ergosterol (probably 4,4-dimethyl and C-4-methyl sterols) accumulated in treated sporidia. As the results indicate, the inhibition of conversion of immediate sterol precursors to ergosterol may be regarded as the primary target for the action of triadimefon in Ustilago avenae.     

Physiological effects of methyl 2-[4(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoate on oat,wild oat,and wheat

Methyl 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]propanoate (dichlofop-methyl) is a selective herbicide for wild oat (Avena fatua L.) control in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Dichlofop-methyl inhibited IAA-stimulated elongation of oat and wheat coleoptile segments by 51 and 13%, respectively, at 10 μM concentrations. Dichlofop-methyl alone had no auxin activity at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 μM. The inhibitory effect of dichlofop-methyl was overcome partially by increasing the IAA concentration or by application of 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba), a herbicide with weak auxin activity. The de-esterified free acid metabolite, 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]-propionic acid (dichlofop), at 10 μM inhibited auxin-stimulated oat coleoptile elongation by 23%, but it did not affect wheat coleoptile elongation at the same concentration. Both dichlofop-methyl and dichlofop inhibited root growth in excised shoots and seedlings of wild oat but had no effect on wheat. Dichlofop was a more effective inhibitor of root growth than dichlofop-methyl. The results suggest that dichlofop-methyl functions as a strong auxin antagonist, while the metabolite, dichlofop, inhibits root growth and development by another mechanism. The herbicidal effect of dichlofop-methyl may be the net effect of two biologically active forms of the compound each with a different mode of action acting at different sites within a susceptible plant.     

Distribution and degradation of dinitroaniline herbicides in an aquatic ecosystem

The accumulation potential of six, structurally related, dinitroaniline herbicides was investigated in an aquatic ecosystem. The herbicides investigated were trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine), profluralin [N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine], dinitramine [N³,N³-diethyl-2,4-dinitro-6-(trifluoromethyl)-m-phenylenediamine], chlornidine [N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine], fluchloralin [N-(2-chloroethyl)-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline], and butralin [4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-(1-methylpropyl)-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine]. The herbicide (0.1 mg) plus 1 μCi of ¹⁴C-labeled herbicide was adsorbed on 100 g of soil (1 ppm), added to individual aquariums, and flooded with 4 liters of water. Algae, snails, and daphnia were added, and ¹⁴C in water was monitored for 30 days. Fish were added on Day 30, and all components were harvested 3 days later. Bioaccumulation ratios (concentration in organism/concentration in water) for fish depended on the amount of their exposure to sunlight: Aquariums held in the dark had higher ratios for fish (235–755) than did those exposed to sunlight (32–83). Bioaccumulation ratios in the dark for fish based on ¹⁴C from bound soil residues of butralin and profluralin were 76 and 119, respectively. Direct repeated applications of profluralin (without soil) at 4-day intervals resulted in a rapid increase, then a decrease in bioaccumulation ratios for Gambusia, but a continuous increase for catfish.     

Metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] inhibition of gibberellin precursor biosynthesis

[2-¹⁴C]Mevalonic acid incorporation into gibberellic acid precursors was measured in cell-free extracts from sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench var. G-522 DR] coleoptiles. ¹⁴C incorporation into ent-kaur-16-ene was inhibited ca. 90% by 10^?7 to 10^?4M metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide]. [¹⁴C]Geranylgeraniol (GG) content increased. [¹⁴C]Farnesol content was not altered and [¹⁴C]geraniol content decreased. Total ¹⁴C incorporation was decreased by metolachlor. In the safener [α-(cyanomethoximino)benacetonitrile]-treated sorghum seed coleoptile cell-free system, total ¹⁴C incorporation increased, [¹⁴C]kaurene and relative kaurence content increased 4× up to 10⁵M metolachlor, and [¹⁴C]farnesol, and [¹⁴C]GG contents increased while relative farnesol and relative GG contents were not influenced by metolachlor. Thus, the inhibition of kaurene synthesis by metolachlor was reversed by the safener. Since the biosynthetic processes are mevalonic acid → geraniol → farnesol → GG → copalylol → kaurene, these data corroborate a proposed gibberellic acid biosynthesis inhibition between GG and kaurene as well as a partial blockage between mevalonic acid and geraniol. Thus, a portion of metolachlor-induced growth inhibitions of sorghum could be explicable on the basis of gibberellic acid biosynthesis inhibitions.     

Mode of action of triarimol in Ustilago maydis

Triarimol (2 μg/ml) strongly inhibited multiplication of Ustilago maydis sporidia after one doubling, but growth continued and sporidia became abnormally large, branched and multicellular. Oxidation of glucose or acetate was not affected, and only slight limitations occurred in DNA, RNA and protein syntheses. The toxicant did not inhibit triglyceride synthesis but markedly increased the quantity and altered the quality of free fatty acids. Incorporation of [¹⁴C]acetate into ergosterol and an unidentified sterol was inhibited more than 90%, but incorporation into two other unidentified sterols was almost unaffected. Inhibition in the sterol biosynthetic pathway at a point preceeding ergosterol is regarded as a primary site of triarimol action in U. maydis.     

Gibberellin influence on membrane disruption by thiocarbamate herbicides

Vernolate (0, 8, 16, 31, 62, 125.0, or 250.0 ppbw) incorporated into sand inhibited the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Holley) at 125.0 ppbw. These growth inhibition and morphological responses were virtually identical to wheat response to EPTC at 125 ppbw. ¹⁴C from vernolate (carbonyl labeled) (125.0 ppbw) was absorbed into wheat seedlings at approximately 1.8 μM on the presumption that the ¹⁴C present was [¹⁴C]vernolate. Since the response of wheat to the thiocarbamate herbicides resembles a gibberellic acid (GA) deficiency and cell enlargement requires the presence of functional plasmalemmas and tonoplasts, the question of membrane disruption by excessive concentrations of thiocarbamate herbicides and potential reversal thereof by GA₃ was studied by measuring the efflux of K⁺, Na⁺, and Mg²⁺. GA₃ (0.003 μM) stimulated lettuce leaf disc growth in diameter and fresh weight. This GA-stimulated increase in size and weight was reversed by 1 mM EPTC. Betacyanin efflux from beet leaf tonoplasts was increased by 1 mM EPTC and this efflux was not reversed by exogenous GA₃ (0.3 μM). This influence by supraoptimal EPTC concentrations was shown to be via membrane disruption, which obviated any possible GA influence by eliminating the functionality of the membranes requisite to the development of a GA response. It is concluded that viable mode-of-action studies must measure physiological responses consistent with the symptomology of herbicide responses normally observed with each herbicide at field concentrations.     

The mechanism of fungistatic action of sec-butylamine: I. Effects of sec-butylamine on the metabolism of hyphae of Penicillium digitatum

Growth of Penicillium digitatum was inhibited after a 40-min incubation in a culture medium containing 0.5 mM sec-butylamine, and the dry weight of the hyphae was 50% of the control value after 180 min. Respiration of the hyphae was reduced 13% after a 20-min contact with 0.5 mM sec-butylamine but this treatment did not influence the uptake of amino acids, glucose, or phosphate nor intensify the efflux of ³³P- or ¹⁴C-labeled metabolites from the cells. The syntheses of cell walls and total lipids were inhibited 20–30% after a 90-min incubation with sec-butylamine, and nucleic acid synthesis was reduced to about 50% of the control value at this time. sec-Butylamine inhibited the incorporation of labeled carbon from [¹⁴C]glucose into the protein fraction of the hyphae to a greater degree than ¹⁴C derived from labeled proline, lysine, or leucine. These observations suggested that sec-butylamine interfered primarily with the intermediary metabolism of glucose rather than inhibiting a later stage of macromolecule synthesis. Hyphae incubated with [¹⁴C]glucose and sec-butylamine accumulated pyruvic acid to a level seven times greater than in control hyphae. Furthermore, sec-butylamine strongly inhibited ¹⁴CO₂ evolution from hyphae metabolizing [¹⁴C]pyruvate whereas CO₂ derived from acetate or glucose after a 45-min incubation was only slightly reduced by sec-butylamine. These observations implicate pyruvate oxidation as the primary site of sec-butylamine action in young hyphae of P. digitatum.