Physiological basis of differential phytotoxic activity between fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and cyhalofop-butyl-treated barnyardgrass

This study investigated the physiological causes of differences in phytotoxic symptoms shown in barnyardgrass from foliar applications of the herbicides fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and cyhalofop-butyl. When these were applied to the third leaves of the whole plant, the chlorosis and desiccation in the third leaf was greater in fenoxaprop-P-ethyl than cyhalofop-butyl. However, initial growth inhibition of the fourth leaf was greater when using cyhalofop-butyl than when using fenoxaprop-P-ethyl. In the shoot regrowth test, regrowth at five days after treatment (DAT) was smaller in cyhalofop-butyl than in fenoxaprop-P-ethyl; the regrowth at 10 DAT exhibited the reverse trend. The chlorosis (decrease of chlorophylls: carotenoids ratio) in barnyardgrass leaf segments that were floated on herbicide solution was greater in the fenoxaprop-P-ethyl treatment. These results indicate that different herbicidal responses induced by the two herbicides are likely to be related to differential translocation and metabolism. The relatively light chlorosis and desiccation in treated leaves, severe cessation of initial growth (but a lower final herbicidal efficacy in the cyhalofop-butyl treatment) are probably related to its rapid translocation to the meristem region from the treated leaf, followed by faster metabolism. In contrast, the relatively greater chlorosis and desiccation compared to inhibition of initial growth in the fenoxaprop-P-ethyl treatment is likely to be related to its relatively slower translocation and metabolism in the treated leaf.