The herbicidal mode of action of R-40244 and its absorption by plants

The herbicide R-40244, 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-chloro-4-chloromethyl-2-pyrrolidinone, was studied to elucidate its action and absorption by corn (Zea mays L. DeKalb XL-45A) and other plant species. R-40244 readily induced lead chlorosis in susceptible plants at relatively low rates of application. The leaf chlorosis was found to be related to a reduction in chlorophyll and β-carotene content and an accumulation of the β-carotene precursor, phytoene. The phytotoxic action of R-40244 occurred only under light conditions. R-40244 was readily absorbed by plant roots and translocated to foliar tissues. There were no discernible differences in R-40244 absorption between proadleaf and grassy species. However, uptake studies with eight plant species indicated that foliar accumulation tended to occur in susceptible species and root accumulation predominated in tolerant species.     

Action of R-40244 on chloroplast pigments and polar lipids

The herbicide R-40244 [1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-chloro-4-chloromethyl-2-pyrrolidinone] blocked the accumulation of chloroplast pigments in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.). The total amount of polar (membrane) lipids synthesized and the proportion of unsaturated 18-carbon fatty acids were progressively reduced in shoots of annual ryegrass as the concentration of R-40244 increased from 1 to 100μM. Blocked chloroplast pigment accumulation and perturbations of membrane lipids were related to reduced growth of annual ryegrass. Growth and membrane lipids of cabbage were much less affected by R-40244. Light was not required for the action of R-40244 on membrane lipids. The combined data suggest that the accumulation of chloroplast pigments is blocked by R-40244 in all species sensitive to R-40244, but that species differ in sensitivity to action on membrane lipids. In sensitive species, where both pigments and membrane lipids are affected, the action on membrane lipids may limit growth independently of effects on pigments.     

Chlorophyll production and chloroplast development in norflurazon-treated plants

The chlorophyll production of wheat (Triticum vulgare L. cv. Mericopa), corn (Zea mays L. cv. Everta), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Saranac), treated with the herbicide 4-chloro-5-methylamino-2-(3-trifluoro-methylphenyl)pyridazin- 3-one (norflurazon) and grown under high light intensity (10 760 lux) was markedly reduced. Corn and wheat seedlings germinated and grown for 7 days in an agar medium containing 1 mg/1 norflurazon were almost completely bleached. Alfalfa was even more sensitive to norflurazon, 0.1 mg/1 causing almost complete chlorosis. Under low light intensity (10.76 lux) the influence of norflurazon on chlorophyll production was greatly reduced. It is thought that norflurazon inhibits carotenoid synthesis leaving the chlorophyll of the plant subject to photooxidation. Electron micrographs of chloroplasts from green, partially bleached, and bleached areas of corn leaves treated with norflurazon indicate that the herbicide causes progressive deterioration of the lamellar system.     

吡唑解草酯对小麦细胞色素P450的诱导作用及其光谱特征

用吡唑解草酯浇灌小麦,试验结果表明,50μmol/L吡唑解草酯处理抗6号小麦,可使其细胞色素P450含量达到最大值108.18 pmol/mg蛋白质,为对照组的1.67倍;100μmol/L吡唑解草酯处理敏18号小麦,可使其细胞色素P450含量达到最大值80.97 pmol/mg蛋白质,为对照组的1.86倍。吡唑解草酯对两个小麦品种的细胞色素P450均有诱导作用,抗6号小麦更容易被诱导,这与两小麦品种的耐药性一致。室温(20±1)℃下扫描不同时间的细胞色素P450-CO结合光谱,结果表明,微粒体粗提液室温(20±1)℃保存200 min后,细胞色素P450完全转变为细胞色素P420。     

Evaluation of a simulation model for prediction of herbicide movement and persistence in soil

The movement and persistence of residues of propyzamide, linuron, isoxaben and R-40244 were measured in a sandy loam soil in field experiments prepared in spring and autumn. None of the herbicides moved to depths greater than 12 cm in the soil during the winter period, following application in autumn, and none moved more than 6 cm in the soil, following application in spring. The general order of persistence of total soil residues was isoxaben > linuron = R-40244 > propyzamide. Appropriate constants to describe the moisture and temperature dependence of degradation were derived from laboratory incubation experiments and used with measurements of the strengths of adsorption of the different herbicides by the soil, in a computer model of herbicide movement. The model, in general, gave good predictions of total soil residues, but overestimated herbicide movement, particularly in winter. Measurements of herbicide desorption from the soil at intervals, during a laboratory incubation experiment, demonstrated an apparent increase in the strength of adsorption with time. When appropriate allowance was made for these changes in adsorption in the computer model, improved predictions of the vertical distribution of the herbicide residues were obtained.     

The response of resistant and susceptible plants to diclofop-methyl

Wild oat (Avena fatua L.) plants sprayed at the 2-or 3-leaf stages of growth with diclotop-methyl developed chlorosis over the entire leaf blade of all leaves. The leaves became necfrotic ⁷days after spraying Shool growth was inhibited. In wheat (Triticum aesicum L cv.Waldron) discrete chlorotic areas developed only where the herbicide convicted the 2nd or 3rd leaf with no visible injury so new growth uf'ter treutment. Growth inhibition of susceptible oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Garry) was sensitive to placement of diclutop-methyl near the upica and meristematic sites of the plant. Chlorosis and necrosis were independent of herbicide placement. Selective herbicide placement induced chlorosis only or both chlorosis and growth inhibition Root growth in wild oat and barley (Hordeum rulgare L. cv. Dickson) was strongly inhibited by 1–0 μM diclofop-methyl. Wild oat shoots were killed when seedlings were root-treated with 10 μM diclofop-melhyl. The 100 μM rool treatment killed barley shoots but only stunted the growth of wheat shoots by approximately 50%. In root-ireated wheat plants the shoots were turgid and developed a light purple colour, whereas in foliar-treated plants the shoots developed discrete chlorotic areas.     

Selectivity of SMY 1500 (4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-ethylthio-l,2,4,triazin-5(4H)-one) in Triticum durum

Susceptibility to SMY 1500 (4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-ethylthio-1.2.4-triazin-5(4H)-one) was studied in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) cultivars in growth-chamber assays. Weight reduction, photosynthesis inhibition and herbicide levels were determined at various times after a 24-h herbicide treatment in two cultivars of durum wheat, one cultivar of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L). and in the weed Bromus diandrus (Roth). Measurements of weight reduction distinguished between plants tolerant and plants susceptible to SMY 1500. Tolerant cultivars showed a lower herbicide content and photosynthesis inhibition than susceptible plants after the 24-h treatment. Thereafter, herbicide levels and photosystem II inhibition decreased faster in tolerant plants. Comparison with previous work showed that plants tolerated doses of SMY 1500 about four times higher than of its analogue, metribuzin. Herbicide content in leaves just after treatment, and rate of detoxification may explain the selectivity of SMY 1500 in these cereals.     

甲基二磺隆及吡唑解草酯对不同品种小麦ALS酶的影响

采用温室盆栽茎叶喷雾处理,研究了3%甲基二磺隆油悬浮剂以及安全剂吡唑解草酯对不同品种小麦的耐药性及其对靶标酶乙酰乳酸合成酶(ALS)的影响。结果表明,甲基二磺隆对敏18号小麦株高抑制程度明显高于抗6号。离体ALS酶含量和活力测定结果表明,抗6号ALS含量高于敏18号,在200和400 μmol/L的吡唑解草酯溶液中黑暗培养7 d,抗6号小麦ALS比活力比对照分别增加1.29和1.58倍,敏18号比对照分别增加0.25和0.15倍。抗6号小麦品种对甲基二磺隆耐药性较强。小麦自身ALS含量和比活力差异以及安全剂吡唑解草酯对它们的诱导差异可能是小麦品种对甲基二磺隆耐药性不同的原因之一。     

Effects of the herbicide methabenzthiazuron on the physiology of wheat plants

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. “Caribo”) was grown in vermiculite containing methabenzthiazuron (N-(benzothiazol-2yl)-NN′-dimethylurea) presowing. Effects of the herbicide on plant development and plant composition were analysed up to an age of 4 weeks. Inhibition of photosynthetic oxygen evolution represented the primary effect induced by the herbicidal treatment and led to a decreased concentration of soluble reducing sugars. Photosynthetic activity however recovered after 3 weeks and even increased above control values. Secondary effects following methabenzthiazuron treatment included a delayed chlorophyll breakdown, a decreased chlorophyll a/b ratio, enlarged chloroplasts, an increased concentration of soluble amino acids and of soluble protein, and an increased in vitro nitrate reductase activity. These responses are taken to indicate an increased photosynthetic and metabolic capacity in methabenzthiazuron treated wheat plants. Comparable results can be obtained with plants grown at low light intensities. It is concluded that the “physiological effects” observed in wheat plants after treatment with methabenzthiazuron are similar to a natural adaptation reaction to low light intensities. It is assumed that this adaptation reaction is caused by a low concentration of soluble reducing sugars. Experiments with plants growing at different light intensities indicated that effects due to herbicidal action were more pronounced at high light intensities. Measurements on daily fluctuations revealed a peak around noon for the sugar content and the nitrate reductase activities measured in vivo as well as in vitro. In vivo nitrate reductase activity in plants treated with 5 parts/million methabenzthiazuron was very low, presumably because of lack of sugars for the production of NADH. The protein concentration was increasing and the amino acids were decreasing during the day in herbicide treated plants, possibly indicating increased protein synthesis in the light in plants treated with methabenzthiazuron.     

The effects of fluometuron on the ultrastructural development,chlorophyll accumulation and photosynthetic competence in developing velvetleaf seedlings

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti L.) seedlings were germinated in the presence of 0, 5, 10 or 80 μg/ml 1,1-dimethyl-3-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-tolyl)urea (fluometuron). The development of chloroplasts in the mesophyll tissue of the cotyledons was examined with the electron microscope and correlated with the accumulation of chlorophyll and the attainment of photosynthetic competence in 2- to 7-day-old seedlings. The formation of prolamellar bodies and their subsequent transformations into primary thylakoids were not prevented by fluometuron. However, membrane fusion into normal grana was altered by treatments containing this herbicide. Increasing the concentration of fluometuron reduced the number and length of stroma lamellae and promoted more elongate grana with fewer compartments. In addition to these structural changes, the seedlings treated with 5 μg/ml fluometuron accumulated only 50% of the chlorophyll that was present in the controls but remained green until necrosis developed. At 10 μg/ml, the seedlings exhibited a 75% reduction in chlorophyll content and became photobleached by the seventh day and treatment with 80 μg/ml resulted in only a trace of chlorophyll in the cotyledons and the albinistic appearance of seedlings. Net photosynthesis was completely inhibited by all treatments containing fluometuron. These observations indicate that in addition to being a Hill reaction inhibitor, fluometuron treatment directly alters the normal development of internal chloroplast membranes.     

Differential effects of isoproturon on the photosynthetic apparatus and yield of two varieties of wheat and L. rigidum

The effect of isoproturon on the ultrastructure of the photosynthetic apparatus, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activity, protein and chlorophyll content, and the grain yield was investigated in two wheat cultivars (Triticum sativum L. cvs Castan and Esquilache) and a weed (Lolium rigidum Gaud.). Field experiments used applications of 1–65 and 2–5 kg a.i. ha^?1 isoproturon post-emergence, and growth chamber experiments used nutrient solution with the addition of isoproturon (1·7 × 10^?4 M). The ultrastructure of the photosynthetic apparatus of the cv. Esquilache was much affected by the herbicide. In the case of cv. Castan, slight disorganization of the grana and intergrana was observed. Isoproturon decreased the activity of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase. A decrease in protein and chlorophyll content was also observed in the cv. Esquilache and in L. rigidum. These alterations were much less evident in the cv. Castan, where, moreover, no loss of protein occurred. The yield of the treated cv. Castan plants was slightly greater than that of the control plants in two consecutive years. However, the yields of the cv. Esquilache were significantly less when the herbicide was applied in the first year at commencement of tillering in a dry season but not when applied at an advanced stage as in the second year in a wet season.     

Comparative metabolism of atrazine and EPTC in proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and corn

The purpose of this study was to examine the differential activities of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) with respect to atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-S-triazine] and EPTC (S-ethyldipropyl thiocarbamate) metabolism. GSH-S-transferase was isolated from proso millet shoots and roots. When assayed spectrophotometrically using CDNB (1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene) as a substrate, the shoot enzyme had only 10% of the activity of corn shoot enzyme while the root enzyme had 33% the activity of corn root enzyme. However, when proso millet shoot GSH-S-transferase was assayed in vitro using ¹⁴C-ring-labeled atrazine, it degraded the atrazine to water-soluble products at the same rate as the corn shoot enzyme. Incubation of excised proso millet and corn roots with [¹⁴C]EPTC indicated that uptake of EPTC was similar in both plants. However, proso millet metabolized the EPTC to water-soluble products at only half the rate of corn. Glutathione levels of proso millet roots were 35.9 μg GSH/g fresh wt, compared with 65.4 μg GSH/g fresh wt for corn. However, a 2.5-day pretreatment with R-25788 (N,N-diallyl-2-2-dichloroacetamide) elevated proso millet GSH levels to 62.7 μg GSH/g fresh wt. R-25788 did not elevate the activity of proso millet GSH-S-transferase, in contrast to its effects on corn. We conclude that differences in response to atrazine and EPTC in proso millet and corn are a result of their differential metabolism.     

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase-inhibiting activity of the new,wheat-selective isoindoldione herbicide,cinidon-ethyl

Cinidon-ethyl (BAS 615H) is a new herbicide of isoindoldione structure which selectively controls a wide spectrum of broadleaf weeds in cereals. The uptake, translocation, metabolism and mode of action of cinidon-ethyl were investigated in Galium aparine L, Solanum nigrum L and the tolerant crop species wheat (Triticum aestivum L). When plants at the second-leaf stage were foliarly treated with cinidon-ethyl equivalent to a field rate of 50 g ha⁻¹ for 48 h, the light requirement for phytotoxicity and the symptoms of plant damage in the weed species, including rapid chlorophyll bleaching, desiccation and necrosis of the green tissues, were identical to those of inhibitors of porphyrin synthesis, such as acifluorfen-methyl. The selectivity of cinidon-ethyl between wheat and the weed species has been quantified as approximately 500-fold. Cinidon-ethyl strongly inhibited protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox) activity in vitro, with I₅₀ values of approximately 1 nM for the enzyme isolated from the weed species and from wheat. However, subsequent effects of herbicide action, with accumulation of protoporphyrin IX, light-dependent formation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid-derived ethylene, ethane evolution and desiccation of the green tissue, were induced by cinidon-ethyl only in the weed species. After foliar application of [¹⁴C] cinidon-ethyl, the herbicide, due to its lipophilic nature, was rapidly adsorbed by the epicuticular wax layer of the leaf surface before it penetrated into the leaf tissue more slowly. No significant differences between foliar and root absorption and translocation of the herbicide by S nigrum, G aparine and wheat were found. After foliar or root application of [¹⁴C]- cinidon-ethyl, translocation of ¹⁴C into untreated plant parts was minimal, as demonstrated by combustion analysis and autoradiography. Metabolism of [¹⁴C]cinidon-ethyl via its E-isomer and acid to further metabolites was more rapid in wheat than in S nigrum and G aparine. After 32 h of foliar treatment with 50 g ha⁻¹ of the [¹⁴C]-herbicide, approximately 47%, 36%, and 12% of the absorbed radioactivity, respectively, were found as unchanged parent or its biologically low active E-isomer and acid in the leaf tissue of G aparine, S nigrum and wheat. In conclusion, cinidon-ethyl is a Protox-inhibiting, peroxidizing herbicide which is effective through contact action in the green tissue of sensitive weed species. It is suggested that a more rapid metabolism, coupled with moderate leaf absorption, contribute to the tolerance of wheat to cinidon-ethyl. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of dimethazone (FMC 57020) on chloroplast development: 1. Ultrastructural effects in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) primary leaves

The effects of dimethazone [FMC 57020; 2-(2-chlorophenyl)methyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxalidinone] on the growth and ultrastructure of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) were examined. Seeds were imbibed in 0.5 mM dimethazone for 1 day and grown for 4 to 5 subsequent days in darkness without the herbicide. The herbicide stunted etiolated hypocotyl growth and retarded greening under 150 μmol · m⁻² · sec⁻¹ white light. No effects of dimethazone on the in vivo absorption spectrum of the etiolated primary leaf was detected. The herbicide caused some reduction and disorganization of prothylakoids in etiplasts. After 3 hr of white light chlorophyll accumulation was greatly reduced in treated leaves and ultrastructural development of the chloroplasts of herbicide-treated tissues appeared to be retarded. Pronounced thylakoid disruption was noticed in some cells after 12 hr, was more common after 24 hr, and was found in all cells by 72 hr. Maximally affected plastids lacked thylakoids, had irregular envelopes, and contained numerous vesicles.     

氮素水平对单作和间套作小麦玉米叶片叶绿素含量及品质的影响

以间套作小麦玉米、单作小麦和单作玉米为研究对象,通过田间试验研究了氮素水平对单作和间套作小麦玉米叶片叶绿素及品质的影响。主要结果为:在同一施氮水平下,间套作小麦旗叶叶绿素含量大于相应单作;单作和间套作小麦开花期旗叶叶绿素含量和蛋白质含量、沉淀值之间都呈显著正相关(r分别为0.960*,0.948*,0.968*,0.957*)。在相同施氮水平下,单作玉米叶绿素含量高于相应间套作玉米;单作和间套作玉米孕穗期叶绿素含量与其蛋白质含量之间也呈显著正相关(r分别为0.861*和0.870*)。     

Sublethal effects of environmentally relevant run‐off concentrations of glyphosate in the root zone of Ludwigia peploides (creeping water primrose) and Polygonum hydropiperoides (smartweed)

As one of the most widely applied agricultural chemicals in the world, glyphosate has many effects on the environment. The present study quantified plant responses to exposure by glyphosate through the root zone for a range of concentrations (0, 10, 100 and 1000 μg L^?1). Ludwigia peploides and Polygonum hydropiperoides were grown in a greenhouse and given a single exposure to glyphosate via the root zone. The growth and physiological parameters were measured before exposure and for 18 days postexposure. The growth variables that were measured included the relative growth rate, stem length increase, biomass and root‐to‐shoot‐ratios. The physiological variables that were measured were the chlorophyll content index and chlorophyll fluorescence. The data analyses revealed that the root‐zone glyphosate affected some of the measured variables in P. hydropiperoides more than for L. peploides. Polygonum hydropiperoides showed a significant decrease in the root‐to‐shoot ratios for the 100 μg L^?1 treatment, compared to the 10 μg L^?1 treatment. The chlorophyll content index of the treated plants was significantly reduced in P. hydropiperoides, compared to the untreated plants on Days 7 and 18. Ludwigia peploides was affected only on the day after exposure, with the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters being significantly less for the 1000 μg L^?1 treatment, compared to the 10 μg L^?1 treatment. Glyphosate‐treated P. hydropiperoides showed a decreased chlorophyll content and reduced chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. In contrast, L. peploides showed a decrease in the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters but no reduction in its chlorophyll content. In addition to demonstrating the adverse effects of root exposure to glyphosate for the study species, these data help to partially explain the highly invasive and persistent nature of L. peploides in marginal aquatic environments, such as agricultural ditches.     

Improved management of Avena ludoviciana and Phalaris paradoxa with more densely sown wheat and less herbicide

Summary The effectiveness of crop competition for better weed control and reducing herbicide rates was determined for Avena ludoviciana and Phalaris paradoxa . Four experiments, previously broadcast with seeds of the two weeds in separate plots, were sown with three wheat densities, and emerged weeds were treated with four herbicide doses (0–100% of recommended rate). The measured crop and weed traits were first analysed across experiments for treatment effects. Grain yield and weed seed production data were then analysed using cubic smoothing splines to model the response surfaces. Although herbicide rate for both weeds and crop density for P. paradoxa had significant linear effects on yield, there was a significant non-linearity of the response surface. Similarly, herbicide rate and crop density had significant linear effects on weed seed production, and there was significant non-linearity of the response surface that differed for the weed species. Maximum crop yield and reduction in seed production of P. paradoxa was achieved with approximately 80 wheat plants m⁻² and weeds treated with 100% herbicide rate. For A. ludoviciana , this was 130 wheat plants m⁻² applied with 75% herbicide rate. Alternatively, these benefits were achieved by increasing crop density to 150 plants m⁻² applied with 50% herbicide rate. At high crop density, application of the 100% herbicide rate tended to reduce yield, particularly with the A. ludoviciana herbicide, and this impacted adversely on the suppression of weed seed production. Thus, more competitive wheat crops have the potential for improving weed control and reducing herbicide rates.     

Modelling the economics of herbicide treatment in wheat and barley using data on prevented grain yield losses

Losses in grain yield prevented by controlling weeds were measured in 59 fields of (southern hemisphere) spring-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (cv, Otane) and 45 fields of spring-sown barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) (cv. Corniche) in five consecutive growing seasons from 1988/89 until 1992/93 in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The losses were measured as the differences in yield between weeded and non-weeded plots located in randomly positioned pairs in the fields. In the first 2 years, the weeding was by push hoe in‘organically grown crops. For the last 3 years, the fields were under prophylactic herbicide regimens with nonweeded plots created by excluding commercial herbicide applications (made mostly in October for wheat and November for barley) with polyethylene sheets placed temporarily over the plots. For each season the distributions of yield losses were modelled using the normal distribution and probabilities of ‘breaking even’ on herbicide use derived by substituting cumulative probability density functions into a simple break-even model for herbicide use. The model assumed that herbicide application in the current crop has no flow-on economic effect for succeeding crops. The mean annual yield losses prevented by herbicide application were positively correlated with September and October rainfall for wheat and bailey respectively. As a consequence, the probabilities of breaking even on herbicide use increased with increasing spring rainfall. Using historical rainfall records, probabilities of breaking even were estimated for each of the 48 years from 1947 to 1994. Averaging over these years, the analysis revealed that at current grain prices prophylactic use of the commonly applied herbicides is likely to be uneconomic in 24% (95% confidence limits 6% and 50%) of fields of average-yielding Otane wheat and in 26% (95% confidence limits 1% and 91 %) of fields of average-yielding Corniche barley in Canterbury. It was concluded that there is potential for withholding herbicide treatments without jeopardizing profitability in these crops, particularly in seasons with low spring rainfall.     

Some physicochemical factors influencing foliar uptake enhancement of glyphosatemono(isopropylammonium) by polyoxyethylene surfactants

Structure-concentration–foliar uptake enhancement relationships between commercial polyoxyethylene primary aliphatic alcohol (A), nonylphenol (NP), primary aliphatic amine (AM) surfactants and the herbicide glyphosatemono(isopropylammonium) were studied in experiments with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and field bean (Vicia faba L.) plants growing under controlled-environment conditions. Candidate surfactants had mean molar ethylene oxide (EO) contents ranging from 5 to 20 and were added at concentrations varying from 0·2 to 10 g litre^?-1 to [¹⁴C]glyphosate formulations in acetone–water. Rates and total amounts of herbicide uptake from c. 0·2–μl droplet applications of formulations to leaves were influenced by surfactant EO content, surfactant hydrophobe composition, surfactant concentration, glyphosate concentration and plant species, in a complex manner. Surfactant effects were most pronounced at 0·5 g acid equivalent (a.e.) glyphosate litre^?-1 where, for both target species, surfactants of high EO content (15–20) were most effective at enhancing herbicide uptake: surfactants of lower EO content (5–10) frequently reduced, or failed to improve, glyphosate absorption. Whereas, at optimal EO content, AM surfactants caused greatest uptake enhancement on wheat, A surfactants gave the best overall performance on field bean; NP surfactants were generally the least efficient class of adjuvants on both species. Threshold concentrations of surfactants needed to increase glyphosate uptake were much higher in field bean than wheat (c. 2 g litre^?-1 and < 1 g litre^?-1, respectively); less herbicide was taken up by both species at high AM surfactant concentrations. At 5 and 10 g a.e. glyphosate litre^?-1, there were substantial increases in herbicide absorption and surfactant addition could cause effects on uptake that were different from those observed at lower herbicide doses. In particular, the influence of EO content on glyphosate uptake was now much less marked in both species, especially with AM surfactants. The fundamental importance of glyphosate concentration for its uptake was further emphasised by experiments using formulations with constant a.i./surfactant weight ratios. Any increased foliar penetration resulting from inclusion of surfactants in 0·5 g litre^?-1 [¹⁴C]glyphosate formulations gave concomitant increases in the amounts of radiolabel that were translocated away from the site of application. At these low herbicide doses, translocation of absorbed [¹⁴C]glyphosate in wheat was c. twice that in field bean; surfactant addition to the formulation did not increase the proportion transported in wheat but substantially enhanced it in field bean.     

Effect of fluazifop-butyl on the chlorophyll content, fluorescence and chloroplast ultrastructure of Elymus repens (L.) Gould. leaves

Some aspects of the action of fluazifop-butyl on the chlorophyll content, chloroplast functioning and chloroplast ultrastructure of Elymus repens are reported. Over a period of 0–12 days after spraying with 0.25 or 1.0 kg ha^?1 of the herbicide, chlorophyll a and b contents of this susceptible plant decreased, progressing from the youngest to the more mature leaves. Newly formed tillers and the youngest expanding leaves exhibited a more severe type of chlorosis and were often found to be devoid of chlorophyll. A similar progressive decline of the chlorophyll content was observed in an experiment where leaf segments were floated in fluazifop-butyl. Evidence of a rapid and significant alteration of the normal chlorophyll fluorescence of E. repens leaves treated with fluazifopbutyl was obtained. The herbicide, at a concentration range of 0.25–1.0 μg μ1^?1, caused a significant loss of the fast fluorescence rise, fluorescence yield and, after 24 h, caused a total abolition of the fluorescence decay (PS decas). These results are discussed. Ultrastructural damage to chloroplasts was seen within 24 h after treatment with fluazifop-butyl. This damage ranged from a partial to total disruption of the outer chloroplast envelope and a disorganization of the internal thylakoid system. Such Ultrastructural effects on chloroplasts were found to intensify up to about 6–7 days after spraying, by which time nearly all chloroplasts in tissue sections were affected to some degree.