STUDIES ON HERBICIDE CONTENTS IN ROOTS OF SKELETON WEED (CHONDRILLA JUNCEA L.) FOLLOWING LEAF APPLICATIONS

Summary. The herbicides studied were 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, dicamba and orthoarsenic acid. Herbicide content in the roots was taken as an overall measure of penetration into and absorption by the leaves, and of translocation to the roots.
A significantly greater 2,4-D content resulted from foliar application at pH 3–5 than at higher values, though at pH 8–5 the inclusion of triethanolamine significantly increased the 2,4-D content. No evidence was obtained that a greater 2,4-D content should result from foliage applications of 2,4-DB than from 2,4-D. Dicamba gave a greater herbicide content than 2,4-D when applied at high concentration at 20° C but not at 25° C, probably because of less injury at the lower temperature.
Concentrations of Tween 20 up to 2% had no deleterious effect on the 2,4-D content; on the other hand 2,4-D content was lowered by 0–25% or more of cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide. Poor wetting is not the cause of the variable herbicide contents sometimes obtained.
Orthoarsenic acid, which has given better control of the weed than 2,4-D, was very poorly translocated; its effectiveness is due to its high intrinsic toxicity.
Etudes sur la teneur en herbicide des racines de Chondrilla juncea L. á la suite d'applications sur les feuilles     

Effect of amitrole and 2,4-D applied preplant and pre-emergence in soybean (Glycine max)

There is limited information on the effect of amitrole and 2,4-D ester applied preplant and pre-emergence in soybean (G lycine max L.) in Ontario, Canada. Six field trials were conducted over a 2 year period (2004 to 2005) at three Ontario locations to evaluate the response of soybean to amitrole or 2,4-D ester applied at 14 days preplant (DPP), 7 DPP, 1 day after planting (DAP), and 7 DAP. The application of amitrole resulted in as much as 5.8, 3.9, 1.7, and 1% visible crop injury in soybean at 7, 14, 28, and 56 days after emergence (DAE), respectively. There was no visible injury in soybean with any amitrole treatment at 56 DAE, except for amitrole applied at 7 DAP, which caused 1% visible injury in soybean at 2310 g ha⁻¹. The application of the 2,4-D ester caused ≤8.3, 9.7, 4.6, and 1.3% visible injury in soybean at 7, 14, 28, and 56 DAE, respectively. The visible injury decreased over time. There was no visible injury in soybean with any of the 2,4-D ester treatments at 56 DAE, except for the 2,4-D ester treatment applied at 7 DAP, which caused 1% visible injury at 1155 g ha⁻¹ and 1.3% visible injury at 2310 g ha⁻¹. Soybean generally responded similarly to amitrole and 2,4-D ester when applied at 14 and 7 DPP; however, soybean was more tolerant to amitrole compared to 2,4-D ester when applied at 1 or 7 DAP. The application of amitrole and 2,4-D ester resulted in no biomass or yield reduction in soybean compared to the weed-free, untreated control at all doses and application timings evaluated. Soybean is tolerant to the preplant and pre-emergence application of amitrole or 2,4-D ester at the doses evaluated.     

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     

THE COMBINED ACTION OF 3-AMINO-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE AND AMMONIUM THIOCYANATE ON PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN COTTON THISTLE (ONOPORDUM ACANTHIUM L.)

Summary. In phosphatase extracts prepared from untreated leaves of Onopordum acanthium , phosphatase activity was stimulated by amitrole (0·04 M) and ammonium thioeyanate (0·04 M), alone and together. The effect of the mixture of amitrole and ammonium thioeyanate was more than additive in experiments set up at pH 4·0, less than additive at pH 4·6 and roughly additive at pH 5·3 and 5·8. The effect of amitrole alone could be explained simply in terms of the increase in pH it effected.
In leaves harvested 4, 7 and 9 days after spraying rosettes with 1/8 lb/ac (140 g/ha) amitrole and 1/4 lb/ac (280 g/ha) ammonium thioeyanate, alone and together, more than additive or additive increases in phosphatase activity of plants sprayed with the mixture were recorded. These increases are interpreted as being due to increases in the amount of soluble protein.
Inorganic phosphate levels showed different trends with time in plants treated with amitrole alone compared with plants treated with the mixture of amitrole and ammonium thioeyanate.
These interactions between amitrole and ammonium thioeyanate are taken to indicate a possible chemical basis for the increased herbicidal activity of the mixture over amitrole alone.
Histochemical studies on the mature leaves of rosettes showed that phosphatase activity was confined to the vascular tissues while in the very young leaves it was high in the chlorenchymatous tissue and appreciable in the epidermal and hair cells.
Attention is drawn to the strong buffering action of amitrole in the pH range 4·0–5·3. This may be relevant to herbicidal activity, the vacuolar pH of the outer cells of leaves of Onopordum being in the range 4·8-5·2.
L'action combinée du 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole et du thioeyanate d'ammonium sur l'activité de la phosphatase chez Onopordum acanthium L.     

ABSORPTION AND TRANSLOCATION OF HERBICIDES BY THOMPSON SEEDLESS (SULTANINA) CRAPE, VITIS VINIFERA L.

Summary. Absorption and translocation of ¹⁴C-labelled herbicides applied in culture solutions lo the roots and in concentrated drops to mature leaves of 'Thompson Seedless' (Sultanina) cuttings were studied. Neither 2,4-D nor paraquat, and only traces of 2,4,5-T translocated from the roots to the shoot. Dicamba, amitrole, diuron, monuron, simazine and atrazine readily moved from the roots to the shoots. The substituted ureas and s -triazines were mobile only in the xylem or cell walls (apoplast), while dicamba and amitrole were mobile in the apoplast and symplast (living protoplasm). Both 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T moved almost entirely in the symplast. Paraquat moved only slightly in either apoplast or symplast. Stability of the herbicides in the plants varied, as judged by the detection of label in ethanol-insoluble products. Dicamba was considerably more stable than 2,4,5-T which, in turn, was more stable than 2,4-D. Diuron was more stable than either atrazine or simazine. Amitrole largely was converted into ethanol-insoluble products in 30 days. Paraquat was not extractable with ethanol.
Absorption et migration d'herbicides chez une vigne: Thompson Seedless (Sultanina), Vitis vinifera L.     

柑桔木虱传递柑桔黄龙病的初步研究

柑桔木虱是柑桔黄龙病主要媒介昆虫。几年来的试验初步表明:无病植株上繁殖木虱成虫,在病树上吸毒20—30天以上就可传病。黄龙病病原在成虫体内约经20—30天循回期、带毒后木虱成虫,虫口密度大(20头/苗以上),吸食传毒1天即可发病;虫口密度小(1—5头/苗),吸食传毒7—14天也能传病。潜伏期一般2—8个月,个别株2年才发病,病梢于冬季回接,3—5个月后也表现出和虫传发病苗相同的斑驳状病症。     

Translocation of 2,4-D, asulam and amitrole in water hyacinth

In glasshouse experiments foliar application or ¹⁴C-labelled herbicides to water hyacinth plants at the 4-leaf stage indicated that amilroie transport from the treated leaf blade was faster and greater than 2.4-D. but a little less than asulam. From the treated leaf 14·2, 25·9. 39·7. 44·5 and 51·8% of the recovered ¹⁴CNamitrole was translocated at intervals of 6 h. and 1. 3. 6 and 12 day., respectively. Both xylem and phloem transport of asulam and amitrole was evident, whereas 2.4-D moved only from ‘source to sink’. Movement of the herbicides from the mother to the connected daughter plant or vice versa was dependent upon the size of the latter. Maximum transport of these herbicides in either direction took place at the 2-leaf stage of daughter plants. With any increase or decrease in the number of leaves on daughter plants, the transport of herbicides was reduced. As an exception, daughter plant to mother plant movement of amilroie was maximum at the 1-leaf stage. After extraction, fractionation and TLC separation of foliage applied ¹⁴C-2.4-D 76–4 and 72·1% of the radioactivity was detected in the chloroform phase of the leaf extract at 3 and 6 day intervals, respectively. In another pot culture experiment, it was observed that after spraying the mother plants with 2.4-D-amine at 0–75 kg/ha the connected daughter plants at 1 to 4-leaf stages werckilled if the culture solution was contaminated while spraying, or by dying leaves. When contamination was totally avoided, the connected but unsprayed daughter plants at 3 to 4-feaf stages survived.     

Light and scanning electron microscope studies of leaf blotch of onion caused by Cladosporium allii–cepae

The pre–penetration and post–penetration stages of infection by Cladosporium allii–cepae on onion foliage was examined on inoculated plants kept at 15° C and 80–90% r.h. The pathogen entered the leaf usually through stomata but occasionally by penetrating the cuticle. Invasion of the palisade and mesophyll tissues led to the formation of a leaf cavity after 7 days and after 30 days the pathogen sporulated on the leaf surface.     

Early development of light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) on winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in relation to temperature and leaf wetness.

In controlled environment experiments to study early development of light leaf spot, lesions developed with leaf wetness durations of 16 to 48 h after inoculation of oilseed rape with conidial suspensions of Pyrenopeziza brassicae at 12 or 18°C, but not with leaf wetness durations of 0 to 13h. The incubation period was 21 to 22 days at 12°C and 14 to 18 days at 18°C for leaf wetness durations of 16 to 48 h. The latent period was 21 to 23 days at 12°C and 18 to 19 days at 18°C, and the total number of lesions increased with increasing leaf wetness duration at both temperatures. In field experiments, light leaf spot always developed on oilseed rape with a leaf wetness duration of 48 h after inoculation in both 1990/1991 and 1991/1992, but the percentage leaf area affected was less on plants placed in an oilseed rape crop than on those placed in a glasshouse. Plants moved to an oilseed rape crop immediately after inoculation nearly always developed light leaf spot symptoms when they were inoculated between 19 October 1990 and 1 March 1991 or between 27 September 1991 and 14 February 1992, but plants inoculated between 31 August and 16 October 1990 or on 20 September 1991, when estimated leaf wetness duration was less than 16 h for several days after they were placed in crops, did not develop symptoms. The latent period of light leaf spot on plants transferred to the oilseed rape crop was 15 to 40 days, and there was an approximately linear relationship between 1 (latent period) and mean temperature during this period. The accumulated temperature during the latent period ranged from c. 150 to 250 day-degrees. The severity of lesions on these plants increased with increasing temperature from 5 to 15°C.     

Efficacy, uptake and distribution of different herbicides in the water hyacinth

Experiment conducted in the glasshouse with water hyacinth plants in pots revealed that 3h.after spraying parquet or 2.4-D at recommendeb herbicida rates, 43 to 53, of the herbicide is found in the plants and the rest is present in the water culture Out of the total [¹⁴Clparaquat applied,38,9,8·8. 32 and 0.9% was found in the leaf blads. petioles, underwater foliage and roots respectively. The corresponding values for [¹⁴C]2, 4-D were 320. 94. 13 and 0.2% As the time interval after spraying increased, a greater accumulation of herbicide in the under-water parts was evident A net loss of 14 and 60%. of the applied 2,4-D was recorded 1 and 2 weeks after spraying respectively the rate of paraquat loss from the plant water system was similar to 2,4-D. Absorption of [¹⁴C]2,4-D from the culture solution by the roots and the floats of the water hyacinth was. evident Translocation of root-absorbed 2, 4-D into the meristematic folrar parts was dernonstrated If the substrates was treated with 2,4-D.a minimal concentration of 1 p. p. m. was required for water hyacinth death In another experiment glyphosite at 2 to 6 kg a 1 ha and 2.4-D.amine at 0–75 2.25 kg a ha gave complete control of water hyacinth Asulam was found to be unsatis factory even at 6 kg a.1 ha the highest rate tried.     

Saflufenacil absorption and translocation in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Research was conducted to determine the mechanism(s) responsible for safening winter wheat to postemergence-applied saflufenacil when mixed with 2,4-D amine or bentazon. Less than 10% of applied saflufenacil was absorbed when mixed with bentazon whereas absorption peaked at 16% at 14 days after treatment when saflufenacil was applied alone. Wheat plants absorbed 2.8- to 3.5-times more saflufenacil when saflufenacil was applied with 2,4-D amine compared to saflufenacil alone. Regardless of herbicide treatment and harvest timing, <10% of absorbed saflufenacil was translocated from the treated leaf to other plant parts. Safening of saflufenacil with bentazon is likely due to reduced absorption of saflufenacil into winter wheat plants. In the presence of crop oil concentrate, saflufenacil absorption was enhanced by 2,4-D amine. The influence of bentazon and 2,4-D amine on saflufenacil absorption in wheat plants likely explains the differences in wheat response observed in previous research.     

THE EFFECTS OF SUB-LETHAL DOSES OF MCPA ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND YIELD OF VEGETABLE CROPS

Summary. The effects of 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, mecoprop and 2,3,6-TBA were compared with those of MCPA on the morphology and yield of lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprout, carrot, parsnip, French and broad bean, red beet, spinach, turnip and onion. Although the relativie phytotoxicity of MCPA, 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and mecoprop varied according to the crop, the morphological abnormalities produced by the different compounds were essentially similar, except that in lettuce and cabbage sperilic foliar symptoms appeared to be associated with 2,4-D. 2,3,6-TBA caused less epinasty and usually fewer root and stem abnormalities, but in some crops, notably French and broad bean, red beet and spinach, it produced severe injury symptoms which were different from those produced by the other compounds.
Effets de doses sub-léthales de MCPA. sur la morphologie et le rendement des cultures légumirres VI. Comparaison avec le 2,4-D, le 2,4,5-T, le micoprop et le 2,3,6-TBA     

THE METABOLISM OF A SERIES OF CHLOROPHEN-OXYALKYL ACID HERBICIDES IN BIGLEAF MAPL. E,ACER MACROPHYLLUM PURSH.*

Summary. Studies of the metabolism characteristics of 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, dichlorprop and fenoprop were made to gain a better understanding of the differential response of a woody Plant, big leaf maPl. e, to certain phenoxy-type herbicides. In one test in which detached leaves were used, it was established that decarboxylation is not an important detoxification mechanism in treated foliage. This same test showed the phenoxyacetic herbicides to be more stable than the α-phenoxypropionic herbicides in treated leaves. In intact Plants 2,4,5-T was consistently more stable than 2,4-D, but the relative amount of metabolism of the herbicides varied with the Plant part. The results are discussed with respect to the differential response of bigleaf maPl. e. Métabolisme d'une série d'herbicides du groupe des acides chlorophénoxyalkylés dans l'érable à grandes feuilles Acer macrophyllum Pursh.     

THE YIELD AND QUAEITY OF RED BEET SEED AS AFFECTED BY DESICCANT SPRAYS AND HARVEST DATE

Summary. Diquat and sodium monochloroacetate (SMA) were used to desiccate seed crops of red beet in experiments from 1963 to 1965. The seed plants became brown and dry about 7 days after spraying and were then judged suitable for combine harvesting, although this was not done in these experiments. Yields of seed 7 days after spraying were as good as those from the control plants, but were lower than the control yields when harvested 14 days after spraying. In laboratory tests in moist sand at 20° C the percentage of the embryos which germinated was not markedly affected by diquat or SMA treatment. The emergence of seedlings in the field, however, was affected adversely by treatment of the seed crop with 11 and 22 oz/ac of diquat ion in 1963 and by SMA at 20 lb/ac in 1964 and 1965. Diquat at 6·6 oz/ac in 120 gal/ac water in 1964 and 1965 had no serious adverse effects on embryo emergence. Residues of diquat ion in seed varied from 2 to 4 ppm, but the impairment of embryo emergence by diquat was believed to be due to the premature arrest of growth of the seed on the desiccated plants.
It is concluded that when harvesting conditions are poor, desiccants could be valuable.
Influence des traitements dessicants et de la date de récolte sur le rendement et la qualité de la sentence de betterave rouge     

EFFECT OF 2,4-D AND PICLORAM ON TRANSLOCATION OF 14C-ASSIMILATES IN VITIS VINIEERA L.

Summary. High concentrations of 2,4-D and picloram interfered with the downward movement of ¹⁴c-assimilates infield-grown vines. The interference in translocation was appreciably greater with picloram than it was with 2,4-D, Although basipetal translocation was retarded, translocation within the treated shoots continued from the vegetative part to the clusters. Translocation of 2,4-D appeared to follow the same route as ¹⁴c-assimilatcs for the most part. Formative effects were absent on untreated grape shoots although the adjacent shoots treated with 2,4-D or picloram on the same cordons were killed; however, formative effects were evident on some of the stump sprouts which developed after the vines were harvested. The malformed leaves on the stump sprouts were twelve or more nodes from the base of the shoots, while ¹⁴c was in the more basal leaves.
Thompson Seedless (Sultanina) rootings treated with 20 000 ppm 2,4-D or picloram transported less ¹⁴C to the roots than did the controls. Treatment with either herbicide resulted in a marked increase in the labelling of the stems.
Effet du 2,4-D et du pichlorame sur la migration de métabolites marqués au ¹⁴C dans Vitis vinifera L.     

Absence of 3-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid in plants treated with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid‡

Experiments were conducted to establish if the formation of 2.4-dichlorophenol (DCP) from 2.4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in plants proceeds via 3-(2,4-dichtorophenoxy) propionic acid (2,4-DP) as an intermediate. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), kidney bean (Phaseolus vtitgaris L.), pea (Pisum. sativum L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), wild oat (Avena fatua L.), yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca(L.) Beauv.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.). and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) were treated with equal weights of 2,4-D and 2,4-DP. After 3 days, all plants contained DCP; however, amounts were larger in plants treated with 2.4-DP than in those treated with 2,4-D. The 2.4-DP was absorbed from the leaf surface more efficiently than 2,4-D. No evidence was found for formation of 2,4-DP from 2,4-D in any of the plant species studied. L'absence de l'acide3-(2,4 dichlorophénoxy) propionique dans les plantes traitées avec I'acide 2,4-dichlorophénoxyacétique Des experiences ont été effectuées pour rechercher si la formation de 2,4-dichlorophénoI (DCP) dans les plantes, à partir de l'acide 2.4-dichlorophénoxy acétique (2,4-D) se produit par l'intermêdiaire de l'acide 3-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionique. Le soja (Glycine max(L.) Merr.). le haricot (Phaseolus vuigaris L.), Ic pois (Pisum sativum L.), le brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), la folle avoine (Avena fatua L.), la sétaire (Setaria glauca(L.) Beauv.). I'orge (Hordeum vulgare L.), la fléole (Phleum pratense L.) et le dactyle (Dactylis ghmerata L.) ont été traités par des poids égaux de 2.4-D et de 2,4-DP. Trois jours aprés, les plantes contenaient du DCP; toutefois, les quantités trouviés furent plus importantes dans les plantes traitées avec le 2,4-DP que dans celles traitées avec le 2,4-D. Le 2,4-DP a été absorbéà partir de la surface foliaire plus efficacement que le 2,4-D. La formation du 2,4-DP à partir du 2,4-D n'a pu être prouvée dans aucune des plantes étudiécs. Die Abwesenheit von 3-(2,4′Dichlorphenaxy)-propionsäure irt mil 2,4-Dichlorphenoxytesäure behandelten Pflanzen Es wurden Versuche durchgeführt um herauszufinden. ob die Bildung von 2,4-Dichlorphenol (DCP) aus 2.4-Dichlor-phenoxyessigsäure (2,4-D) in Pflanzen über 3-(2,4-Dichlor-phenoxy)-propionsaure (2,4-DP) als Zwischcnprodukt ver-läufl. Sojabohnen (Glycine max(L.) Merr.), Gartenbohnen (Phaseolus vutgaris L.), Erbsen (Pisum sativum L.), Wehrlose Trcspe (Bromus inermis Leyss.), Flughafer (Avena fama L.), Gelbe Borsienhirse (Setaria glauca(L.) Beauv.), Gerste (Hordetim vidgarc L.), Wiesenlieschgras (Phleum pratense L.) und Knaulgras (Dactylis ghmerata L.) wurden mit gleichen Mengen an 2,4-D und 2,4-DP behandelt. Nach drei Tagen enthielten alle PHanzen DCP; aber die Menge an DCP war in den mit 2,4-DP behandelten Pflanzen grosser als in den mit 2,4-D behandelten. 2,4-DP wurde von der Blatt-oberflache besser absorbiert als 2.4-D. In keiner der untersuchten Pflanzenarten konnte ein Hinweis für die Bildung von 2,4-DP aus 2,4-D gefunden werden.     

THE EFFECTS OF MALEIC HYDRAZIDE AND 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID ON ROADSIDE VEGETATION

Summary. Observations have been made on the effects of maleic hydrazide (MH) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), used singly or as a combined spray, on the vegetation of roadside verges, over a period of 3-4 years (1958-61). Each year, replicate plots were sprayed in spring, and assessments of growth and floristic composition of the vegetation, which was dominated by grasses, were usually made on three occasions. Treatment with MH, used singly, resulted in a general suppression of growth and flowering, particularly of the grasses. Well-marked changes in the composition of the sward were attributable to MH, notably the decline of tufted forms, e.g. Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata , and the rise to dominance of the rhizomatous grasses. These changes were associated with a progressive increase of some dicotyledonous plants, although this was effectively prevented by the combined spray of MH and 2,4-D. Two of the commonest weeds, Anthriscus sylvestris and Heracleum sphondylium , were almost eliminated from plots treated with this combined spray for 3 successive years; a low sward, fairly free from dicotyledons and dominated by Poa rather than Festuca , usually resulted. Treatment with 2,4-D alone, had relatively little effect on growth, flowering and proportion of the different grasses, but there was a reduction in the weed population.
Les effets de l'hydrazide maléique et de l'acide 2,4-dichlorophénoxyacétique sur la végetation au bord d'une route     

THE EFFECT OF POST-EMERGENCE HERBICIDES ON THE VEGETATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE GROWTH OF CENTROSEMA FUBESCENS BENTH. IN QUEENSLAND

Summary. 2,4-D-amine, 2,4-D ethyl ester, 2.4-DB-potassium. MCPA-sodium, diquat and a 1:1 mixture of 2,4,5-T butyl ester and 2,4-D ethyl ester were applied to the tropical pasture legume Centrosema pubescens Benth. (centro) grown either alone or with Panicum maximum Jacq. (guinea grass). Even at 0.5 Ib/ac (total) the 2,4,5-T/2,4-D mixture caused severe damage to seedling and mature centro. 2,4-D-amine, 2,4-D ethyl ester and 2,4-DB-potassium were less damaging and there were only slight differences in response to these. Diquat at 0.25 Ib/ac desiccated centro seedlings, but most plants survived and grew satisfactorily. There was some evidence that the growth of mature centro was depressed least when the herbicides were applied during vegetative quiescence.
Application just after the start of flowering altered the flowering pattern but did not reduce seed yields significantly. 2,4-D-amine at 0.75 and 1–5 lb/ac and 2,4-D ethyl ester at 1.5 Ib/ac decreased the percentage germination of abraded seed. Diquat 0.25 Ib/ac applied at the start of flowering caused significant increases in top growth and seed pod numbers, possibly the result of modification of the normal flowering pattern.     

Spray application factors and plant growth regulator performance: I. Bioassays and biological response

Bioassays were adapted to investigate effects of droplet size and carrier volume on performance of daminozide, gibberellic acid (GA₃) and 2,4-D using Phaseolus vulgaris L. as a model system. Response to plant growth regulators was indexed by inhibition (daminozide), promotion of internode elongation (GA₃) or ethylene production (2,4-D). Elongation of first plus second internodes above primary leaves was evaluated 14 days after treatment of primary leaves, while ethylene production was determined from head-space samples of incubated leaves 24 h after treatment. Daminozide inhibition of internode elongation was related to decreased cell size and number in pith and epidermis (range 49–70% of the untreated control). GA₃ increased cell size and number in both tissues 2·3- to 4·8-fold. Responsiveness to daminozide and 2,4-D markedly decreased as seedling age increased from 8 to 12 days, but responsiveness to GA₃ increased. Decreasing droplet size (10–0·5 μl) and increasing carrier volume (10–200 μl per leaf) at constant dose of daminozide (100 μg per leaf) and 2,4-D (100 μg per leaf) significantly increased performance, but had little effect on performance of GA₃ (2 μg per leaf). Effects of application factors on performance were related to their effects on the interface area between droplets and leaf surface. Significant positive linear relationships were obtained between plant response and the logarithm of the droplet/leaf interface area for all growth regulators. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Tomato can be a latent carrier of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’, the causal agent of potato zebra chip disease

‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ was recently described as the causal agent of potato zebra chip disease. This pathogen occurs in North America, New Zealand, and Northern Europe on various crops, and may spread to other potato growing regions. Observation on ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’‐infected tomato and potato plants propagated in growth chambers over 5 years indicated that tomato plants (cvs Moneymaker and Roma) can be a latent carrier of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’. Tomato plants graft‐inoculated with scions from latently infected tomato plants remained symptomless, but tested positive in a species specific PCR assay. ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ was consistently detected in the top, middle and bottom portion of the symptomless tomato plants, including stem, petiole, midrib, vein, flowers and fruits. In tomato fruits, ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ was evenly distributed in the tissues at the peduncle and style ends, as well as in the pericarp, and columella placenta tissues. This is the first report that ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ is present in a plant reproductive organ. In contrast, potato plants (cvs. Jemseg, Atlantic, Shepody, Frontier Russet, Russet Burbank, Red Pontiac, and Russet Norkotah) grafted with scions from the same latently infected tomato plants resulted in typical symptoms of purple top, leaf scorch, and other disease symptoms in plants and brown discoloration in the vascular ring and medullary rays in tubers.