Dalapon resistance at an early seedling stage in Lolium perenne

The inhibitory effect of the herbicide dalapon on germination and shoot elongation was evaluated in two perennial ryegrass cultivars, Melino RvP and Cropper. These cultivars had been shown to be dalapon resistant and susceptible, respectively, in a previous comparison of 14-week-old plants. Dalapon (10^-2 and 10^-3 m) significantly reduced rates of germination and shoot elongation to the same extent in both cultivars. It is suggested that the effects of dalapon on germination and shoot elongation during the first 9 days of development are not indicative of levels of resistance in more mature plants.