Mechanisms of action and structure activity relations of herbicides that inhibit photosynthesis

A survey and chemical classification are given for the most important herbicidal inhibitors of photosynthesis. The photochemical reactions involved in photosynthesis are reviewed. The herbicides discussed here all interfere with photosynthetic electron transport in the light reactions. Comments are made on the redox catalysts and the electron transport chain. The mode of action of the herbicides due to inhibition of the light reactions I and II or of photophosphorylation are described. Structure activity correlations according to the regression analysis (Hansch-approach) are discussed with examples in the classes of acetanilides, benzimidazoles and triazinones. The correlation studies in the series of the Hill-reaction inhibitors have led to a model for the essential structural elements. Some work on the problem of selectivity and its importance is reviewed.     

Inhibition of photosynthesis in intact plants of biotypes resistant or susceptible to atrazine and cross-resistance to other herbicides

A concentration of atrazine of 0?1 mm 1^?1 in the nutrient solution resulted in complete inhibition of photosynthesis in intact leaves of susceptible biotypes of Amaranthus retroflexus L., Polygonum lapathifolium L., Chenopodium album L., Solanum nigrum L., Poa annua L. and Stellaria media (L.) Vill. within a few hours of treatment, whereas the inhibition of the resistant biotypes by the same concentration varied from small to moderate. In contrast, diuron (10 or 20 μm 1^?1) produced only minor differences between resistant and susceptible biotypes. The influence of some other herbicides on photosynthesis of these resistant biotypes was also smaller than that on the susceptible biotypes. This cross-resistance was evaluated with the resistance factor for intact leaves of Brassica napus L., A. retroflexus, and S. nigrum. This factor is equal to the ratio of the herbicide concentration in leaves of the resistant biotype to that in leaves of the susceptible biotype with inhibition to half-maximum rate of photosynthesis. This concentration in the leaves was calculated from the concentration in the nutrient solution, and the total transpiration divided by leaf area from the beginning of the herbicide treatment until the moment of half-maximum of photosynthesis. The resistance factors for intact leaves of A. retroflexus, S. nigrum and B. napus were 26–30 for atraton, 3–7 for metamitron, 2–9 for bromacil, 3–5 for monolinuron, 1 for diuron and < 1 for bentazone. For isolated chloroplasts much higher values have been reported. The reason for this discrepancy is not clear. A somewhat higher resistance factor (around 50–60) was derived after infiltration of detached leaves of these species with atraton solutions.     

Metabolism and selectivity of rice herbicides in plants

Chemical weed control with effective and highly active herbicides has been very useful and convenient means. It has contributed to stable crop production and is labor saving. Recent herbicides have had characteristics such as high effectiveness without causing environmental pollution or harmful effects, and appropriate herbicides having high activity, low toxicity, high selectivity and being non-persistent have been developed. The metabolism of rice herbicides used mainly in Japan, such as sulfonylurea, chloroacetamide, acylamide, urea, thiocarbamate, pyrazole, triazine, diphenyl ether, phthalimide, phenoxy, aryloxyphenoxypropionate, etc., is reviewed, and its involvement in selectivity is also discussed. The metabolism of herbicides is closely related to their activity and selectivity. Differential herbicide metabolism in plants is a contributing factor of selectivity between crops and weeds. Chemicals that are more detoxified in crops and/or more activated or less detoxified in weeds are considered as being effective and selective herbicides. The metabolism of various types of rice herbicides includes: oxidative reaction (ring and chain hydroxylation, O - and N -dealkylation), hydrolysis and subsequent glucose conjugation, and glutathione conjugation in rice. These detoxicative activities are much higher in rice than weeds in paddies, and this leads to the selectivity of herbicides. Enzymes, oxidase, P-450 mono-oxygenase, esterase, acylamidase, glucosyl transferase, glutathione transferase, etc., play important roles in herbicide metabolism and selectivity.     

Effects of some phenylurea herbicides on photosynthesis of two wheat varieties

Photosynthesis in the shoots of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was inhibited by certain phenylurea herbicides applied via the nutrient solution. Recovery from this inhibition after short treatments was used as a measure of the rate of inactivation of these herbicides in the leaf tissue of a variety tolerant to metoxuron (Caribo) and of a less tolerant variety (Manella). The introduction of chlorine atoms into fenuron greatly reduced the rate of inactivation in both varieties, whereas that of a methyl or butoxy group had little or no effect. Metoxuron was inactivated more readily than chlortoluron and both compounds were inactivated more rapidly in Caribo than in Manella.     

Ultrastructural changes in leaf and needle segments treated with herbicides containing picloram

The herbicide Tordon 50D (picloram+2,4-D) affected the integrity of the nucleus and cell membranes in Pinus radiata needle segments and caused the swelling of internal chloro plast membranes and the eventual disintegration of the chloroplasts. Tordon 22K (picloram) only affected chloro plast structure. Both herbicides had similar adverse effects on cell membranes and chloroplasts of Eucalyptus viminalis.     

转基因抗除草剂作物的基因流与杂草化机理探讨

转基因抗除草剂(HRGM)作物的抗性基因的转移、渗透或流失及其杂草化问题已日益突出，主要表现在：①抗性作物与常规作物间的基因互渗，发生抗性基因漂移或抗性作物退化；②抗性作物与其野生近缘物种间，尤其是与近缘杂草间的基因互渗，可直接将抗性基因转移到杂草或自然生境中，在除草剂定向选用的情况下，直接对生物多样性构成威胁；②如果对HRGM作物管理不当，则抗性作物可能逸生为杂草。     

Methods for assessing the toxicity of herbicides to submersed aquatic plants

A new test design for the non-axenic submergent aquatic macrophytes Elodea canadensis Michx. and Myriophyllum spicatum L. has been developed for potential use in herbicide toxicity testing. For the non-axenic cultures, the best growth conditions were observed in the Elendt-M4 medium in which no growth of algae or bacteria was observed. Cuttings were placed in beakers containing only the artificial M4 medium or were planted in small beakers containing OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) sediment (5% peat, 75% sand, 20% kaolinite), which were then placed in larger vessels with the M4 medium. The plants were observed for main and secondary shoot length, biomass and root formation within 2-3 weeks of planting. Growth rates were calculated for total plant length and biomass. The variance between the replicates was low throughout the experiment [coefficient of variation (CV) < 26% for total plant length, and between 16 and 40% for biomass]. Relative growth rates based on total plant length were determined as 0.028 and 0.050 per day for M. spicatum in the systems containing M4 medium only and medium plus sediment respectively. Similar results were observed for E. canadensis, with relative growth rates of 0.26 and 0.073 per day in the two test systems. The root-shoot ratio at harvest was greater by a factor of 2-3 for E. canadensis in the M4 medium than in the system containing sediment. However, comparable ratios were observed for M. spicatum in the two test systems. Both growth in total plant length and growth in biomass of the two species have potential as measures of toxicity.     

Chemical composition of soyabeans from plants treated with growth retardants

Treating soyabean plants with chlormequat chloride or N-dimethyl-N-(β-chloroethyl) hydrazonium chloride in concentrations of 50–400 ppm at two different growth stages did not affect the content of the different N-fractions or of oils in the seeds obtained. Some treatments led to small increases in total carbohydrate content.     

天然植物源助剂SD、SDP的特性及与除草剂应用效果

天然植物源助剂SD、SDP具有良好的润湿性、渗透性和粘着性 ,此助剂与除草剂、杀虫剂混用 ,能提高药效 ,减少药液流失 ,具有抗雨水冲刷的功能。本文介绍了其作用特点 ,基础应用研究的结果 ,以及SD、SDP与胺苯磺隆、草甘膦等除草剂使用技术和开发前景     

Influence of herbicides on photosynthetic activity and transpiration rate of intact plants

The effect of various herbicides on photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration of intact plants has been studied in a routine assembly. Simultaneous measurements were made under different experimental conditions in four small plant chambers, in which the shoots of various plant species can be accommodated. The herbicide is applied during measurement, so that the effect can be related to the photosynthetic activity of the same plants before treatment. The selectivity of various herbicides was studied by determining the capacity of a plant species to inactivate a herbicide absorbed by the roots. These and other differential effects of various herbicides on photosynthetic activity of different plant species coincide with the selective properties in the field. Such differences are also observed after leaf sprayings. The duration of the experiments is kept short. Bean plants were studied under various experimental conditions of air humidity, light intensity and temperature resulting in different transpiration rates. The decrease in photosynthetic activity owing to the presence of a herbicide in the nutrient solution at a standard concentration was more rapid at the higher transpiration rates. The total transpiration during treatment up to 50% inhibition of photosynthesis was constant under the various experimental conditions. Specific inhibitors of the photosynthetic process had a more pronounced effect on the photosynthetic activity than on transpiration rate. Some other herbicides affect transpiration as well as photosynthesis.     

Assessment of effects on non-target plants from sulfonylurea herbicides using field approaches

Since their introduction in the early 1980s, there have been a number of field studies conducted to assess the effects of sulfonylurea herbicides on non-target plants (i.e. plants not labeled for use). In these studies a wide variety of plant response assessment techniques have been used to measure effects on non-target plants. This paper examines the relationship of short-term plant response measurements to plant productivity measurements such as yield or quality. Whether short-term plant response measurements have a practical degree of accuracy and precision appropriate for hazard assessment on non-target plants from sulfonylureas is discussed. A comprehensive review of published literature and unpublished field studies of the effects of sulfonylureas on the yield and quality of non-target plant species is reported. When this information is coupled with exposure factors and environmental fate characteristics, the risks to non-target plants from sulfonylureas are similar to those from other herbicides used at higher application rates. © 1998 SCI.     

Quantitative bioassays for determining residues and availability to plants of sulphonylurea herbicides

A bioassay procedure for quantitative determination of sulphonylurea herbicides is described. Turnips (Brassica rapa) were found very suitable as test plants and gave results within 10 days. Six sulphonylurea compounds were investigated for their activity in three widely differing soils. The potential availability to plants was calculated from the dose-response curves of vermiculite (non-sorptive substrate) and the corresponding ED₅₀-values of the soils. The dose-response relationship (logistic curve) was described by a computer model by a position parameter, the slope of the curve and the minimum and maximum fresh weights of plants. The limit of quantitative detection in the range of ED₃₀ in vermiculite was 0·06 μg 1^?1 for sulfometuron and 1·03 μg 1^?1 for DPX-L5300, methy12-([4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl (methyl)carbamoyl]-sulphamoyl) benzoate. Results with turnips showed that sulfometuron was the most active compound in all substrates (ED₅₀ in vermiculite 0·12 μg 1^?1) followed by chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, triasulfuron, DPX-M6316, methyl 3-([(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)aminocarbamoyl]-aminosulphaphamoyl)-2-thiophenecarboxylate, and DPX-L5300 which had ED₅₀ or 1·98 μg 1^?1, The Horotiu sandy loam soil showed the highest ED₅₀-values and the lowest plant availability for all compounds compared to the other soils. Probit and logistic evaluation methods for deriving dose-response relationships are compared and their applicability is discussed.     

Effects of soil moisture content on the availability of soil-applied herbicides to plants

The phytotoxicities of atrazine, simazine, linuron, lenacil and aziprotryne were increased as the moisture content of the soil increased. Results from studies with ¹⁴C-labelled atrazine suggested that these differences could be related to differences in concentrations of herbicide accumulated by the plants. Total uptake of atrazine was directly proportional to water uptake, but a comparison of the amounts taken up with those supplied by mass-flow in the transpiration stream suggested that some exclusion factor was operative. It was concluded that herbicide transport within the soil-plant system was the main factor affecting phytotoxicity under the different soil moisture regimes. The significance of the results to herbicide behaviour under field conditions is discussed.     

Reversal of the inhibition of photosynthesis by herbicides affecting hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase by plastoquinone and tocopheryl derivatives in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Isoxaflutole or pyrazolate inhibition of tocopherol and plastoquinone biosynthesis in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dang leads to the inactivation of photosystem II and the degradation of its reaction centre D1 protein when exposed to strong light. Cell-permeable short-chain derivatives of plastoquinone and tocopherol were tested in the reversal. Addition of decyl-plastoquinone reverses herbicide-induced inhibition of photosynthesis and inactivation of photosystem II in short-time (1 h) exposure of the algae to high light. In high light longer than 1 h, decyl-plastoquinone alone loses effectiveness, but a synthetic permeable tocopheryl derivative retards the inhibitory effects on photosystem II and on the degradation of the D1 protein. This indicates that tocopherol deficiency induced by the herbicides makes a major contribution to their secondary mode of action in high light stress.     

Germination of seeds from plants of Avenafatua L. treated with glyphosate

Glyphosate was applied at four rates under greenhouse conditions to Avena fatua L. plants at four stages of seed development. Application at anthesis completely prevented the formation of viable seeds. Application five days after anthesis (DAA) of the terminal floret of the panicle significantly reduced seed production at all herbi-cide rates used, and at 1.76 kg a.i. ha^-1 no viable seeds were produced. When applied 10 DAA, only the highest rate of glyphosate resulted in substantial reduction in number of primary seeds, but seed viability suffered at all herbicide levels. Glyphosate applied 15 DAA still produced a significant decrease in primary and secondary seed production and biomass. Both the viability and the germination rate of seeds from treated plants were significantly affected. When the herbicide was applied to plants 5 DAA, no viable seeds were produced by plants surviving the highest rate, and all rates significantly reduced germination. Glyphosate applied 10 DAA significantly suppressed germination, with 1.76 kg a.i. ha^-1 being the most effective rate. When applied to plants 15 DAA, only the highest rate of glyphosate significantly affected the overall germination of both primary and secondary seeds, but the normal imposition of dormancy was partially blocked in seeds from plants treated with 0.44 and 0.88 kg a.i. ha^-1. These findings are relevant to chemical summerfallow and crop desiccation practices.     

5种化学除草剂对薇甘菊防治效果及对其他植物的影响

为了筛选高效防除薇甘菊的除草剂,本文利用4种含灭草松或吡啶类的新型除草剂25％苄嘧磺隆·灭草松AS、25％滴酸·灭草松AS、25％滴酸·氨氯吡AS、25％氟胺·灭草松AS,以常用除草剂24％滴酸·二氯吡AS作对照,在深圳进行防除薇甘菊的试验研究.除草剂对薇甘菊防效结果表明:400 mL/hm2 25％滴酸·氨氯吡AS和...     

Distribution of the radioactivity in sugar beet plants treated with [14C]aldicarb

Sugar beet plants were grown in the field, after in-furrow application of [¹⁴C]aldicarb (3 kg of aldicarb ha^?1) at planting. Some plants (the growing plants) were harvested 99 days after sowing and the rest (the ripe plants) 196 days after sowing. The percentages of the weights of [¹⁴C]aldicarb equivalents (the total aldicarb plus aldicarb sulphoxide and sulphone, plus all the other metabolites of [¹⁴C]aldicarb which contain ¹⁴C, expressed as aldicarb equivalents) incorporated into the beet plants, relative to the weight applied to the soil, were 2.8 and 1.8, respectively for the growing and ripe plants. The concentrations of [¹⁴C]aldicarb equivalents (mg kg^?1 fresh weight) in the growing and ripe plants, respectively were: blades of the external leaves, 3.16 and 0.93; blades of the internal leaves, 0.63 and 0.68; petioles of the external leaves, 0.51 and 0.26; petioles of the internal leaves, 0.15 and 0.05; crowns, 0.14 and 0.15; roots, 0.16 and 0.13. The proportions of the extractable aldicarb plus aldicarb sulphoxide and aldicarb sulphone determined by gas-liquid chromatography (expressed as aldicarb equivalents) relative to [¹⁴C]aldicarb equivalents, in the external and internal leaf blades of the growing beets, were 56 and 60%, respectively; these values declined to 25 and 19%, respectively in the ripe plants. The proportion was 21 % or less in all other parts of the growing and ripe plants.     

Persistence studies with [14C] 2,4-D in soils previously treated with herbicides and pesticides

The persistence of [¹⁴C] 2,4-D at a rate equivalent to 1 kg/ha was compared under laboratory conditions in samples of heavy clay, sandy loam, and clay loam at 85% of field capacity moisture and 20 ± 1°C which had either received no pre-treatment, or had been pre-treated for 7 days at the 2 μg/g level with the herbicides benzoylprop-ethyl, diclofop-methyl, dinitramine, flamprop-methyl, nitrofen, picloram, tri-allate, trifluralin, and a combination of tri-allate and trifluralin. The breakdown of [¹⁴C] 2,4-D was also studied in the same soils that had similarly received pre-treatments of 2 μg/g of the cereal seed dressing Vitaflo-DB, the insecticide, malathion, and a combination of Vitaflo-DB and malathion. In each soil type, the half-life of the 2,4-D was similar regardless of whether the soil had, or had not, received any pre-treatment, indicating that none of the chemicals investigated adversely affected the soil degradation of 2,4-D.     

Biological and molecular characterization of the response of tomato plants treated with Trichoderma koningiopsis

Tomato-Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici pathosystem was used to study induced systemic resistance elicited by Trichoderma koningiopsis (Th003) using the split root model. The ability of the antagonist to promote plant growth was also established. Stem colonization by the pathogen was significantly reduced in treated plants. The induction of resistance was enhanced 6 days after elicitation and when the antagonist was used in a concentration of 10⁵ conidia per ml. Th003 application in seed priming and nursery significantly stimulated plant growth. Gene expression induced by Th003 was evaluated using the tomato TOM1 microarray. Plant treatment with T. koningiopsis affected mRNA levels of 45 genes: 41 in roots and 4 in leaves. Of particular interest was the induction of genes involved in the jasmonic and ethylene transduction pathways found in the microarray analysis and qRT-PCR, which suggest a temporary increment of defense related gene expression response to T. koningiopsis Th003.     

A spraying rig for the experimental application of herbicides to the floating leaves of water plants

A spraying rig is described for the accurate application of herbicides to the floating leaves of water plants in experimental plots which may be inaccessible to land-based machinery. The rig, constructed of aluminium angle and supported by polystyrene floats, carries one operator who controls the sprayer. Apparatus for priming and washing out the sprayer is incorporated into the rig to prevent contamination of the water. The rig is towed along a guide rope from one bank to the other and sprays a swath up to 4 m wide at a speed of 0–5 m/sec and has been used to spray plots up lo 100 m in length. A total number of four persons is required to operate the rig. Un équipement de pulvérisation pour I'application expérimentale d'herbicides aux feuilles flottantes des plantes aquatiques Un équipement de pulvarisation est décrit pour I'application precise d'herbicides aux feuilles flottantes des plantes aquatiques, dans des parcelles experimentales qui peuvent etre inaccessible A des appareils opérant depuis la terre. Cet équipement construct en corniére d'aluminium et supporté par des flotteurs en polystiréne transporte un opérateur qui fait fonctionner le pulvérisateur. Un appareil permettant le remplissage et le nettoyage du pulvérisateur est incorporé a l'équipement dans le but de prévenir toute contamination de I'eau. L'équipement est propulso par touage sur un cable de guidage tendu d'une rive a l'autre; il traite une bande jusqu'a 4 métres de large a une vitesse de 0,5 m/sec; il a été utilisé pour traiter des parcelles allant jusquà 100 m de long. Un nombre total de 4 personnes est nécessaire pour manoeuvrer Iéquipement. Ein Sprilzgeriit zur Durckfiihrung von Herbizidversucben hei Wasserpfianzen Es wird ein Spritzgeriit fiir die genaue Ausbringung von Herbiziden auf die Schwimmblatter von Wasserpflanzen in Versuchsparzellen beschrieben die mit vom Land aus betriebenen Geräten nicht erreichbar sind. Das Gerät. eine Altiminiumkonstruktion mit Polyslyrol-Schwimmkörpern. Trägt eine Person, die die Spritze bedient. Um eine Verun-reinigungdes Wassers zu vermeiden. sind GerSte zum Fiillen und zum Reinigen der Sprilze in das Spritzgerfll eingebaut. Das Gerät ist an ein Führungsseil von Ufer zu Ufer befestigt und hat cine Spritzbreite bis zu 4 m, bei einer Geschwindigkeit von 0,5 m/sec. Es wurde zur Behandlung von Parzellen bis zu 100 m Lännge eingesetzt. Um das Gerilt zu bedienen, werden insgesamt 4 Personen benötigt.