THE ABSORPTION,TRANSLOCATION AND METABOLISM CHARACTERISTICS OF 4-(2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXY)BUTYRIC ACID IN BIGLEAF MAPLE*

Summary. Detached leaves treated with 2,4-DB were used to demonstrate that the foliage of Acer macrophyllum Pursh. possesses the enzyme systems necessary for oxidation of the 2,4-DB side chain. Absorption and translocation studies showed that 2,4-DB was absorbed less but translocated more than some other phenoxy herbicides which have been tested on this species. Studies with excised stem phloem and excised roots showed that different plant tissues are not equally capable of decarboxylating 2,4-DB. An experiment with intact plants established that 2,4-DB was translocated unchanged, and that the primary product of the oxidation of 2,4-DB is 2,4-D. The results are discussed with respect to the translocation characteristics of this herbicide in bigleaf maple. Caractères de l'absorption, de la migration et du métabolisme de l'acide 4-(2,4-dichlorophénoxy) butyrique dans l'érable a grandes feuilles