Effect of the d‐glucose analog,d‐allose,on the growth of Arabidopsis roots

Although d ‐glucose increased the root growth of Arabidopsis seedlings, d ‐allose (a d ‐glucose epimer at the third carbon atom) inhibited the root growth at concentrations >0.1 mmol L^?1 and the inhibition increased with increasing d ‐allose concentrations. Allitol (a reduction product of d ‐allose) did not show any significant effect on the growth. The addition of d ‐glucose into the growth medium of Arabidopsis reversed the d ‐allose‐induced growth inhibition, which suggests that the inhibition is not caused by the toxicity of the accumulation of d ‐allose and/or its metabolites in the seedlings. d ‐Allose is phosphorylated by hexokinase, using ATP and phosphate, to allose‐6‐phosphate, with no known capacity for further metabolism. The addition of phosphate into the growth medium did not affect the d ‐allose‐induced growth inhibition and d ‐allose did not reduce the ATP level in the roots. These results suggest that the inhibition is not due to phosphate starvation and ATP depletion. d ‐Mannoheptulose, a specific competitive inhibitor of hexokinase, defeated the d ‐allose‐induced growth inhibition. Hexokinase is known to have a sugar‐sensing function and possibly triggers a signal cascade, resulting in the change of several gene expressions. Therefore, the phosphorylation of d ‐allose by hexokinase might trigger a signal cascade, resulting in the inhibition of Arabidopsis root growth. This is probably a useful model system for studies of the hexokinase‐mediated sugar‐sensing function and for developing new types of weed‐control agents.     

糖对稻曲病菌薄壁分生孢子萌发的影响

 以琼脂平板为萌发基质,测定了10种糖化合物(木糖、果糖、山梨糖、核糖、甘露糖、葡萄糖、麦芽糖、半乳糖、乳糖和蔗糖)对稻曲病菌薄壁分生孢子萌发的影响。结果发现,在浓度为1%时,除蔗糖外,其余9种糖对孢子萌发均有不同程度的抑制作用,其中木糖、果糖、山梨糖和核糖的抑制作用强烈;孢子经木糖或果糖处理6h后,并未丧失活力;多种糖混合仍表现为抑制孢子萌发。当各种糖与起刺激作用的马铃薯煮汁分别混合时,表现出明显相反的两种效应,一是马铃薯汁的刺激作用可掩盖甘露糖、葡萄糖、麦芽糖、半乳糖、乳糖和蔗糖的抑制作用;二是木糖、果糖、山梨糖和核糖的抑制作用可掩盖马铃薯汁的刺激作用。表明外源糖化合物及某些生命活性物质可影响薄壁分生孢子萌发。     

l‐DOPA inhibited the root growth of lettuce by inducing reactive oxygen species generation

l ‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (l ‐DOPA) is a bioactive natural compound that inhibits the growth of several plant and weed species. However, its mode of action is not yet well understood in plants. The present study was conducted to explore the mechanism of growth inhibition by l ‐DOPA in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The results revealed that l ‐DOPA induced cell death and inhibited the root growth of lettuce. Moreover, 0.1 mmol L^–1 l ‐DOPA enhanced the polyphenol oxidase activity, production of reactive oxygen species ( and H₂O₂) and lipid peroxidation in the lettuce roots. The results suggest that l ‐DOPA‐induced growth inhibition in lettuce roots might be related to oxidative stress.     

箭杆杨农田防护林合理灌溉的林木糖代谢分析

在箭杆杨农田防护林带中,对不同灌溉量处理下林木的蔗糖、葡萄糖、果糖、山梨糖和肌醇的月变化,以及林木材积量进行了测定。结果表明,不灌溉的对照组蔗糖、葡萄糖、果糖、肌醇含量最高,山梨糖含量最低,体内糖代谢和材积生长量同属最差。６０、９０、１２０、１５０ｍｍ灌溉量处理的体内糖代谢只有轻微的差别,材积生长量增加不显著。从糖代谢和材积生长量分析,并兼顾节水问题,提出了６０ｍｍ为合理灌溉量的数量指标。同时还揭示了影响林木生长的糖类组成和代谢过程,是以蔗糖、葡萄糖、果糖、肌醇增加,山梨糖减少的糖类组成来适应土壤干旱;以蔗糖和肌醇减少,葡萄糖和果糖增加的代谢过程来适应大气干旱。     

五种杀菌剂胁迫下灰葡萄孢产孢所需碳源种类分析

灰葡萄孢是引起作物灰霉病的病原菌,分生孢子是其传播的主要载体.本文采用代谢技术分析了灰葡萄孢对Biolog FF板碳源的利用及其产孢情况,并测定了在多菌灵、丙环唑、嘧霉胺、异菌脲和咪鲜胺5种杀菌剂胁迫下灰葡萄孢产孢所需碳源种类.结果表明:糖类、氨基酸类等92种碳源均能被灰葡萄孢代谢,其中,杏仁苷、L-阿拉伯糖等35种碳...     

姜瘟病菌拮抗放线菌的筛选与鉴定

 从山东各地区姜田随机采集土样30份,利用稀释分离法分离到放线菌菌株621株。采用琼脂移块法测定这些菌株对姜瘟病菌(Ralstonia solanacearum)的拈抗作用,共筛选出具有拮抗作用的放线菌菌株53株。选择抑菌活性最强的菌株Y7进行进一步研究。菌株Y7孢子丝顶端呈小螺旋形或钩状,孢子椭圆形至圆柱形。在5种供试培养基中,菌株Y7只在燕麦培养基上产生黄色色素。该菌株能利用麦芽糖、葡萄糖、果糖、L(+)树胶醛糖、半乳糖和山梨糖,不能利用蔗糖、木糖、肌醇、纤维二糖和山梨醇。形态特征、生理生化特征和16SrDNA序列分析结果表明,Y7为淡紫灰链霉菌(Streptomycetes lavendulae)。正交实验结果表明其最佳发酵条件是小米培养基pH7.0,28℃,培养14d。     

Bacterial pathogens of rice in the Kingdom of Cambodia and description of a new pathogen causing a serious sheath rot disease

A study of rice diseases in Cambodia from 2005 to 2007 showed widespread occurrence of diseases caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae, Burkholderia gladioli, B. cepacia and Pantoea ananatis. This is the first report of these pathogens in Cambodia. Additionally, a pseudomonad causing a widespread disease similar to sheath brown rot (caused by Pseudomonas fuscovaginae) was isolated. The studied strains were pathogenic to rice cvs Sen Pidau and IR 66, producing similar, though slightly less severe, symptoms to those observed in the field. Based on comparative 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis, combined with cell wall fatty acid analysis and metabolic profiles, the isolated strains were allocated to the genus Pseudomonas. The novel species were differentiated from Pseudomonas fuscovaginae and P. putida by their inability to metabolize d ‐fructose, d ‐galactose, d ‐galactonic acid lactone, d ‐galacturonic acid, d ‐glucosaminic acid, d ‐glucuronic acid, p‐hydroxy phenylacetic acid, d ‐saccharic acid and urocanic acid. The major fatty acids were C_16:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and C_16:1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c), representing 80% of the total. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences (1460 bp) were identical, except for two nucleotide changes amongst the six strains. Alignment of the causal strains within type‐culture databases revealed similarities of 99·7% with Pseudomonas parafulva AJ 2129^T, 99·2% with P. fulva IAM 1592^T, 98·9% with P. plecoglossicidia FPC 951^T, and 98·1% with P. fuscovaginae MAFF 301177^T. On the basis of data from this polyphasic study, it is proposed that the unknown strains isolated from rice represent a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas.     

Silencing of Erwinia amylovora sy69 AHL‐quorum sensing by a Bacillus simplex AHL‐inducible aiiA gene encoding a zinc‐dependent N‐acyl‐homoserine lactonase

Quorum sensing in Gram‐negative bacteria is regulated by diffusible signal molecules called N‐acyl‐l ‐homoserine lactones (AHLs). These molecules are degraded by lactonases. In this study, six Bacillus simplex isolates were characterized and identified as a new quorum‐quenching species of Bacillus. An aiiA gene encoding an AHL‐lactonase was identified based on evidence that: (i) it showed high homology with other aiiA genes of Bacillus sp.; (ii) the deduced amino acid sequence contained two conserved regions, ¹⁰⁴SHLHFDH¹¹¹ and ¹⁶⁵TPGHTPGH¹⁷³, characteristic of the metallo‐β‐lactamase superfamily; and (iii) the protein had zinc‐dependent AHL‐degrading activity. Additionally, the expression of the aiiA gene was significantly up‐regulated by 3‐oxo‐AHL. The AHL‐lactonase inhibited multiplication of the 3‐oxo‐C6‐AHL‐producing plant pathogen Erwinia amylovora sy69 both in vitro and in planta. The results provide support for the use of the quorum‐quenching functionality of B. simplex in the integrated control of the devastating fire blight pathogen.     

Advances in the potentiometric determination of pka and log kow of pesticides

The phenylpyrrole fungicide fenpiclonil inhibited the metabolism of glucose in mycelium of Fusarium sulphureum Schlecht at a concentration which only slightly inhibited mycelial growth (EC₁₅). At the same concentration, fenpiclonil also inhibited accumulation and, to a greater extent, phosphorylation of 2-deoxy[U-¹⁴C]glucose in starved mycelium loaded with unlabelled 2-deoxyglucose. Fenpiclonil did not affect cell-free phosphorylation of 2-deoxyglucose or the ATP content of mycelium. Therefore, the primary mode of action of the fungicide may be based on inhibition of transport-associated phosphorylation of glucose. This may cause a cascade of metabolic events which eventually lead to fungal growth inhibition and death. One major event affected by inhibition of transport-associated phosphorylation is the accumulation of polyols, such as glycerol and mannitol, in mycelium. This was not observed in an osmotically sensitive, fenpiclonil-resistant laboratory isolate of the fungus.     

The undiscovered potential of dehydroproline as a fire blight control option

The non‐protein amino acid 3,4‐dehydro‐l ‐proline (DHP) significantly reduced the incidence of fire blight infection on immature pear fruits infected with wildtype Erwinia amylovora. DHP also inhibited biofilm formation in both streptomycin‐sensitive and ‐resistant strains of E. amylovora and induced dispersal of preformed biofilms in the streptomycin‐sensitive strain. The investigations shed light on the hitherto undiscovered ability of DHP to inhibit bacterial biofilms and its potential as a chemical control option for fire blight.     

西瓜感染黄瓜绿斑驳花叶病毒后糖分代谢与倒瓤的关系

为揭示人工接种黄瓜绿斑驳花叶病毒(Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus,CGMMV)后西瓜糖分代谢与倒瓤的关系,采用高效液相色谱法测定了接种CGMMV后西瓜的葡萄糖、果糖、蔗糖含量变化,采用比色法测定了糖酵解途径关键酶及蔗糖代谢相关酶活性的变化。结果显示,西瓜苗感染CGMMV后,果实中葡萄糖、果糖、蔗糖含量均较对照发生明显变化,接种处理后葡萄糖含量在授粉7~28 d显著高于对照,之后迅速下降,35 d时显著低于对照,仅为对照的24.87%;果糖含量仅在授粉后7~14 d高于对照,21~35 d显著低于对照;接种处理和对照的蔗糖含量在授粉后14~35 d均逐渐上升,但14~35 d接种处理显著低于对照。接种处理后己糖激酶、磷酸果糖激酶和果糖激酶活性均在授粉后7~14 d显著低于对照,21~28 d显著高于对照,35 d时显著低于对照;丙酮酸激酶活性授粉后7~21 d显著低于对照,35 d时显著高于对照;酸性转化酶和中性转化酶活性在授粉后7~21 d显著低于对照,35 d时高于对照;蔗糖磷酸合成酶和蔗糖合成酶活性均显著低于对照,其中蔗糖合成酶活性在授粉后28 d时仅为对照的21.32%。推断西瓜苗接种CGMMV后糖酵解的4个关键酶协同作用,调控糖酵解,进而调控葡萄糖和果糖的积累与代谢,同时蔗糖代谢相关酶活性降低,阻碍蔗糖合成,即西瓜苗感染CGMMV导致倒瓤与其糖分的合成与代谢密切相关。     

群体感应信号物质对吡咯伯克霍尔德氏菌JK-SH007在杨树内定殖的影响

为了明确杨树溃疡病生防菌吡咯伯克霍尔德氏菌JK-SH007的群体感应系统是否与其内生定殖相关,本文通过群体感应指示菌紫色杆菌CV026和液相色谱串联四级杆飞行时间质谱技术(HPLC-Q-TOF-MS)确定其群体感应信号物质种类,并利用结晶紫染色、菌体回收、GFP标记等技术,研究其群体感应信号物质对该菌株生物膜及在杨树苗内的定殖能力的影响。结果表明,菌株JK-SH007产生的群体感应信号物质为含8个碳原子酰基侧链的辛酰基-L-高丝氨酸内酯(C8-HSL)。群体感应信号物质C8-HSL的添加对该菌株生物膜及在杨树苗内的定殖能力有影响,并且呈现低浓度促进,较高浓度抑制的规律。C8-HSL的添加与菌株JK-SH007生物膜的OD值和菌体量具有显著相关性,相关系数分别为0.923和0.756。当添加1.0%C8-HSL终浓度达到5×10^-8 g/L时,菌株JK-SH007生物膜的形成量达到峰值。荧光显微镜镜检发现,当添加100μL C8-HSL时,杨树组培苗根和茎中GFP荧光标记的菌株JK-SH007的定殖数量明显较CK多。菌株JK-SH007的群体感应与其在杨树内的内生定殖能力密切相关,群体感应信号物质C8-HSL具有增强菌株JK-SH007内生定殖的能力,同时也表明该物质有利于该菌株生防效果的发挥。     

On the mode of action of the herbicides cinmethylin and 5-benzyloxymethyl-1, 2-isoxazolines: putative inhibitors of plant tyrosine aminotransferase

BACKGROUND: The mode of action of the grass herbicides cinmethylin and 5‐benzyloxymethyl‐1,2‐isoxazolines substituted with methylthiophene (methiozolin) or pyridine (ISO1, ISO2) was investigated. RESULTS: Physiological profiling using a series of biotests and metabolic profiling in treated duckweed (Lemna paucicostata L.) suggested a common mode of action for the herbicides. Symptoms of growth inhibition and photobleaching of new fronds in Lemna were accompanied with metabolite changes indicating an upregulation of shikimate and tyrosine metabolism, paralleled by decreased plastoquinone and carotenoid synthesis. Supplying Lemna with 10 µM of 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate (4‐HPP) reversed phytotoxic effects of cinmethylin and isoxazolines to a great extent, whereas the addition of L ‐tyrosine was ineffective. It was hypothesised that the herbicides block the conversion of tyrosine to 4‐HPP, catalysed by tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), in the prenylquinone pathway which provides plastoquinone, a cofactor of phytoene desaturase in carotenoid synthesis. Accordingly, enhanced resistance to ISO1 treatment was observed in Arabidopsis thaliana L. mutants, which overexpress the yeast prephenate dehydrogenase in plastids as a TAT bypass. In addition, the herbicides were able to inhibit TAT7 activity in vitro for the recombinant enzyme of A. thaliana. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that TAT7 or another TAT isoenzyme is the putative target of the herbicides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Interaction of perfluidone with mitochondrial,thylakoid, and liposome membranes

Perfluidone (1,1,1-trifluoro-N-[2-methyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl]methanesulfonamide) was shown to interfere with phosphorylation and electron transport in isolated mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) mitochondria. At low molar concentrations (<100 μM), perfluidone acted as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation as evidenced by stimulation of state 4 respiration, induction of ATPase activity, and circumvention of oligomycin-inhibited state 3 respiration. At higher molar concentrations (>100 μM), perfluidone inhibited electron transport by acting on complexes I and II, and on the alternate (cyanide-insensitive) oxidase. In isolated spinach thylakoids (Spinacia oleracea L.), perfluidone also acted as an uncoupler, at low concentrations, as evidenced by stimulation of photoinduced electron transport with water as the reductant and methyl viologen and ferricyanide as oxidants, and from reduced dichlorophenolindophenol to methyl viologen. In addition, perfluidone inhibited the rate and magnitude of valinomycin-induced mitochondrial swelling in isotonic potassium chloride and potassium thiocyanate, and with thylakoids suspended in potassium thiocyanate at concentrations that inhibited ATP generation (<100 μM). Passive swelling in mitochondria was induced at higher concentrations. The permeability of lecithin liposomes to protons was also increased by perfluidone in a manner characteristic of uncouplers. The results obtained suggested that the partitioning of perfluidone perturbs the inner mitochondrial and thylakoid membranes. The perturbations increase the permeability of the membranes to protons and cations (at least potassium) and decrease membrane “fluidity.” As a consequence of the perturbations, the ATP-generating pathway in both mitochondria and chloroplasts is uncoupled and the structural organization of the electron transport components in mitochondria is disrupted, resulting in multisite inhibition of respiration. No evidence was obtained for a direct interaction between perfluidone and redox components of the electron transport pathways.     

Structure–biological activity relationships in triterpenic saponins: the relative activity of protobassic acid and its derivatives against plant pathogenic fungi

BACKGROUND: Triterpenic saponins from Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. and Diploknema butyracea JF Gmelin were evaluated for in vitro antifungal activity against four phytopathogenic fungi. The study of the structure–antifungal activity relationships of protobassic acid saponins was widened by including semi‐synthetic derivatives. RESULTS: Diploknema butyracea saponins exhibited significant antifungal activity against three fungi (ED₅₀ 230–455 µg mL^?1), whereas S. mukorossi saponin was effective against two fungi (ED₅₀ 181–407 µg mL^?1). The n‐butanol extract after preparative HPLC separation provided two saponins from D. butyracea saponin mixture: 3‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyarnosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]‐16‐α‐hydroxyprotobassic acid‐28‐O‐[arabinopyranosyl‐glucopyranosyl‐xylopyranosyl]‐arabinopyranoside (MI‐I), and 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐glucopyranosyl‐glucopyranosyl‐16‐α‐hydroxyprotobassic acid‐28‐O‐[arabinopyranosyl‐xylopyranosyl‐arabinopyranosyl]‐apiofuranoside (MI‐III). The single saponin extracted from S. mukorossi saponin mixture was identified as 3‐O‐[O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐arabinopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐rhamnopyranosyl] hederagenin‐28‐O[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐rhamnopyranosyl] ester (SM‐I). Monodesmosides resulting from the partial degradation of hederagenin and hydroxyprotobassic acid bisdesmosides exhibited significant reduction in antifungal effect. Further removal of sugar moiety yielded complete loss in activity. The antifungal activity of the triterpenic saponins was associated with their aglycone moieties, and esterification of the hydroxyl group led to change in antifungal activity. CONCLUSION: Sapindus mukorossi saponin, which is effective against Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Briton Jones and Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., can be exploited for the development of a natural fungicide. A sugar moiety is a prerequisite for the antifungal activity of triterpenic saponin. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

The impact of uptake, translocation and metabolism on the differential selectivity between blackgrass and wheat for the herbicide pyroxsulam

BACKGROUND: Wheat shows selectivity to pyroxsulam, a new broad‐spectrum herbicide with high activity on blackgrass. Studies were performed to establish whether uptake, translocation or metabolism were responsible for the differential activity in wheat compared with blackgrass. In addition, the effect of the safener cloquintocet‐mexyl on metabolism was evaluated in wheat and blackgrass shoots. RESULTS: Root uptake of pyroxsulam in blackgrass was significantly higher than in wheat, suggesting a possible activity enhancement in blackgrass owing to root uptake. Translocation to foliage from root uptake as well as translocation out of treated foliage following foliar applications was low in wheat compared with blackgrass, likely owing to the rapid metabolism of pyroxsulam in wheat. Wheat metabolized pyroxsulam significantly faster than blackgrass to the less active O‐dealkylation product. Wheat shoots metabolized pyroxsulam faster when the safener cloquintocet‐mexyl was present, but cloquintocet‐mexyl did not increase the rate of metabolism in blackgrass. CONCLUSIONS: The selectivity of pyroxsulam to wheat relative to blackgrass was connected primarily with differences in the rate of metabolism and generation of an inactive metabolite. Metabolism in wheat restricted subsequent movement of radioactivity out of the treated leaf. The rapid metabolism in wheat was increased by the addition of cloquintocet‐mexyl. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparative effects of dichlobenil and its phenolic alteration products on photo- and oxidative phosphorylation

Effects of dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) and its phenolic degradation products (2,6-dichloro-3-hydroxybenzonitrile and 2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) were compared on electron transport and phosphorylation in isolated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts and mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) mitochondria. In chloroplasts, the hydroxylated derivatives inhibited both photoreduction and coupled photophosphorylation with water as the electron donor and with ferricyanide as oxidant, and cyclic photophosphorylation with phenazine methosulfate as the electron mediator under an argon gas phase. In mitochondria, the phenolic derivatives acted as uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation as evidenced by the stimulation of ADP-limited respiration, circumvention of oligomycin-inhibited non-ADP-limited respiration, and the induction of ATPase activity. Treatment of excised mung bean hypocotyls by the phenolic derivatives also resulted in a very rapid and drastic lowering of ATP levels. In all assays, only limited, if any, interference was expressed by dichlobenil even at relatively high molar concentrations.Inhibition of oxidative and photophosphorylation by the phenolic degradation products, but not by dichlobenil, suggests that if there is a delay between the formation of the hydroxylated compounds and their conjugation, photosynthesis and respiration will be inhibited. Because biochemical and physiological processes depend on oxidative and photophosphorylation for the energy (ATP) needed to drive the reactions, interference with ATP production could be one of the major mechanisms through which phytotoxicity is expressed by the phenolic degradation compounds of the herbicide, if they should accumulate in the free from. Species selectivity may be related to the rate of formation of the phenolic products in different plants and the rapidity of conjugate formation.     

Modification des teneurs en ATP, glucose, fructose et saccharose dans des plantules de concombre (Cucumis sativus) sous l'action de divers herbicides

Modification of the content of ATP. glucose, fructose and saccharose in cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) under the action of various herbicides. Lethal doses of atrazine, MCPA, diehlobenil, alachlor and paraquat, applied over 3 days through the roots and/or through the leaves showed that the phytotoxicity of herbicides is not necessarily linked with a decrease in ATP. Atrazine, administered through the roots, led to a decrease of 57–88% in the glucose and fructose and from 70 to 97% in the saccharose in the leaves. In the roots the losses were 14–60% and 33–96%, respectively. The glucoside losses were even more markeu when atrazine was applied through the leaves. After treatment with MCPA, the glucose in the leaves increased by 150 to 420%, fructose by 160 to 450%, while saccharose fell by 20–39%. Alachlor decreased the reducing sugars in the leaves and increased them in the roots. Diehlobenil caused a drop in leaf glucides the first two days and a rise on the third day. The authors suggest some formulae by which the nature of the herbicides could be expressed in terms of their relationship to the content of these constituents.     

Metabolism of the herbicide glufosinate‐ammonium in plant cell cultures of transgenic (rhizomania‐resistant) and non‐transgenic sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris), carrot (Daucus carota), purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and thorn apple (Datura stramonium)

The metabolism of the herbicide glufosinate‐ammonium was investigated in heterotrophic cell suspension and callus cultures of transgenic (bar‐gene) and non‐transgenic sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris). Similar studies were performed with suspensions of carrot (Daucus carota), purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and thorn apple (Datura stramonium). ¹⁴C‐labelled chemicals were the (racemic) glufosinate, L ‐glufosinate, and D ‐glufosinate, as well as the metabolites N‐acetyl L ‐glufosinate and 3‐(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)propionic acid (MPP). Cellular absorption was generally low, but depended noticeably on plant species, substance and enantiomer. Portions of non‐extractable residues ranged from 0.1% to 1.2% of applied ¹⁴C. Amounts of soluble metabolites resulting from glufosinate or L ‐glufosinate were between 0.0% and 26.7% of absorbed ¹⁴C in non‐transgenic cultures and 28.2% and 59.9% in transgenic sugarbeet. D ‐Glufosinate, MPP and N‐acetyl L ‐glufosinate proved to be stable. The main metabolite in transgenic sugarbeet was N‐acetyl L ‐glufosinate, besides traces of MPP and 4‐(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)butanoic acid (MPB). In non‐transgenic sugarbeet, glufosinate was transformed to a limited extent to MPP and trace amounts of MPB. In carrot, D stramonium and D purpurea, MPP was also the main product; MPB was identified as a further trace metabolite in D stramonium and D purpurea. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry