Tolerance of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to trifluralin deep-incorporated in the autumn or spring

Field experiments at Lacombe on a Ponoka loam soil (9·6% organic matter) during 1982 and 1983 investigated the tolerance of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Neepawa in a weed free situation to trifluralin applied at 0·0–3·0 kg ai ha^?1 in the autumn or spring and incorporated to a depth of 10 cm. Rates of trifluralin above 1·0 kg ai ha^?1 applied in the autumn or spring reduced the percent stand of wheat compared to an untreated control. Two weeks after emergence the crop showed 37 or 47% injury indicated by delayed growth, following application at 1·0 kg ai ha^?1 in the autumn or spring, respectively. The wheat recovered throughout the course of the growing season. At harvest, trifluralin applied in the autumn or spring at rates below 1·0 kg ai ha^?1 caused a yield increase while higher rates caused a yield decrease compared to the untreated control. Spring application caused a greater yield loss than autumn application. The tolerance of spring wheat to trifluralin at rates required for weed control (1·1 kg ai ha^?1 or higher) on this soil type is marginal.     

Uptake and fate of triticonazole applied as seed treatment to spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Following seed treatment of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with ¹⁴C-labelled triticonazole at a dose of 1·8 g kg^-1 seed, the uptake of radioactivity by shoots and roots was investigated from the two- to three-leaf stage up to the beginning of the booting phase, 80 days after sowing. Triticonazole equivalents taken up by wheat plants reached 5·7% and 14·6% of the applied dose in the shoots and the roots, respectively. Between the two- to three-leaf stage and the beginning of the booting phase, the concentration of triticonazole equivalents in the shoots decreased from 2·5 to 0·15 μg g^-1 fresh weight. This was attributed to uptake of triticonazole by roots not keeping pace with shoot growth and increased retention in the roots of triticonazole taken up. The main factor limiting the uptake of triticonazole by the roots may be the rapid growth of the uptake-active apical root parts out of the dressing zone which had formed in the soil. Distribution of triticonazole equivalents taken up by the main shoot showed a decreasing concentration gradient from the oldest to the youngest leaf. An increase in the seed treatment dose was investigated as a way to increase the concentration of triticonazole in the shoots, but its influence remained limited. © 1998 SCI     

The influence of temperature on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) tolerance to diclofop-methyl or fenoxaprop-P-ethyl mixtures

The influence of temperature and evaluation date on the biological activity of diclofop-methyl or of herbicide mixtures containing fenoxaprop-P-ethyl in barley were investigated. Herbicidal injury was evaluated based upon per cent fresh weight reduction compared with untreated plants. ‘Ellice’ barley was injured more than ‘Bonanza’ or ‘TR112’ at 25/20°C (day/night), averaged over herbicides and evaluation dates. Diclofop-methyl injury was similar at 10/8°C, 17/14°C, and 25/20°C, averaged over evaluation dates. However, injury increased from 1 week after treatment to 2 weeks after treatment at 10/8°C and 17/14°C but not at 25/20°C. This injury appeared to be related to plant growth rate, as the greatest injury of treated plants and the greatest fresh weight of untreated plants at 2 weeks after treatment were observed at 17/14°C. A formulated mixture of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl plus the safener fenchlorazole-ethyl was the most injurious to barley while a mixture of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl plus chlorophenoxy herbicides injured barley to a lesser degree, and was similar to injury from diclofop-methyl. Injury from either of the two herbicide mixtures containing fenoxaprop-P-ethyl was greatest at 10/8°C. Influence de la température sur la tolérance de l'orge (Hordeum vulgare L.) au diclofop-méthyl et à des mélanges contenant du fénoxaprop-P-éthyl L'influence de la température et de la date d'évaluation sur l'activité biologique du diclofopméthyl et de mélanges d'herbicides contenant du fénoxaprop-P-éthyl a étéétudiée chez l'orge. L'effet herbicide était évalué par le pourcentage de réduction de matière fraîche par rapport au témoin. La variété‘Ellice’était plus touchée que les variétés ‘Bonanza’ ou TR112' à 25/20°C (lumière/obscurité), les herbicides et les dates d'évaluation étant confondus. La phototoxicité du diclofop-méthyl était similaire à 10/8°C, 17/14°C et 25/20°C, les dates d'évaluation étant confondues. La phytotoxicité augmentait entre une et deux semaines après le traitement à 10/8°C et 17/14°C, mais pas à 25/20°C. Cette phytotoxicité paraissait liée à la vitesse de croissance car la phytotoxicité sur plantes traitées et le traitement étaient maximaux à 17/14°C. Un mélange formulé de fénoxaprop-P-éthyl et de l'antidote fenchlorazole-éthyl était le plus phytotoxique. Le diclofop-méthyl ainsi qu'un mélange de fénoxaprop-P-éthyl et d'herbicides phénoxy-chlorés étaient les moins phytotoxiques. La phytotoxicité occasionnée par les deux mélanges contenant du fénoxaprop-P-éthyl était plus importante à 10/8°C. Einfluß der Temperatur auf die Toleranz von Gerste (Horde um vulgäre L.) gegenüber Diclofop-methyl oder Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl-Präparaten Zur Untersuchung des Einflusses der Temperatur auf die Wirkung von Diclofop-methyl oder Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl-haltigen Herbiziden auf Gerste wurde der Herbizidschaden in % der Frischmasse unbehandelter Pflanzen zu verschiedenen Terminen bestimmt. Die Sorte ‘Ellice’ wurde bei 25/20°C im Mittel über die Herbizide und die Termine stärker geschädigt als ‘Bonanza’ oder ‘TR112’. Die Schädigungen durch Diclofop-methyl waren bei 10/8, 17/14 und 25/20°C, gemittelt über die Boniturtermine, ähnlich. aber die Schäden nahmen bei den beiden niedrigeren Temperaturbereichen, doch nicht bei 25/20°C, von der 1. zur 2. Woche nach der Behandlungzu. Der Schaden lag offensichtlich in der Wachstumsrate, denn er war nach 2 Wochen bei 17/14°C bei den behandelten Pflanzen am höchsten, als bei den unbehandelten Pflanzen die Frischmasse am größten war. Eine Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl-Formulierung mil dem Safener Fenchlorazol-ethyl schädigte die Gerste sehr, während eine Mischung von Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl mit Chlorphenoxy-Herbiziden weniger schädigte, ähnlich wie Diclofop-methyl. Die Schäden von den beiden Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl-Herbiziden waren bei 10/8°C am stärksten.     

Allelopathic studies of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is a common name for cereal grasses of a genus of the grass family, cultivated for food since prehistoric times by the people of the temperate zones and now the most important grain crop of those regions. It has allelopathic potential if used as a cover crop for weed control in various cropping systems. Research results indicate that, among modern varieties, there is a variable resistance potential against weeds. Numerous allelochemicals have been identified in wheat, mainly belonging to the categories of phenolic acids, hydroxamic acids and short-chain fatty acids. Some researchers conceived that wheat allelopathy is genetically controlled, but systematic research on gene behaviors is lacking. The negative effects of wheat on other crops under different agricultural production systems have been reported. Research is needed to determine the genetic control of wheat allelopathy prior to the development of allelopathic wheat varieties. Further research is needed to conduct in vitro studies to isolate, identify and quantify allelochemicals from living wheat plants at different growth stages. Also, the relationship between heritages of modern varieties and the allelopathic characteristics of wheat during their evolution and selection by humans is still unclear. There is also a lack of research on the modern varieties as to whether the allelopathic potential can be genetically transferred to the next generation. In the future, more models and assessment systems must be developed to illuminate the essence of allelopathy and the genomes of wheat with allelopathic traits should be constructed to make available allelopathic bioinformation on wheat.     

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. competition with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A series of field experiments was conducted to evaluate the competitive effect of Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Norstar’) yield. Grain yield at the centre of dense C. arvense patches ranged from 28–71% of the yield in adjacent weed-free plots, based on measurements made at 11 experimental sites over a 2-year period. The mean reduction in yield was 49%. Two models were used to describe grain yield reduction in terms of C. arvense shoot density: (a) linear regression of percentage yield reduction on the square root of shoot density, and (b) non-linear regression, based on a rectangular hyperbola. Both models give similar yield loss estimates at commonly occurring shoot densities of C. arvense, but the non-linear model accounted for more of the observed variation in grain yield. The major yield component affected by C. arvense competition was spikes per unit area, with kernel weight affected to a lesser extent.     

Tolerance of four spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) varieties to weed harrowing

We investigated the tolerance to weed harrowing of four spring barley varieties and examined the possible interactions between varietal weed suppressive ability and two nutrient levels. Tolerance was defined as the combined effect of crop resistance (ability to resist soil covering) and crop recovery (the ability to recover in terms of yield). The weed harrowing strategy was a combination of one pre‐ and one post‐emergence weed harrowing. In terms of yield, the four varieties responded significantly differently to weed harrowing and the response depended on nutrient level. At the lower nutrient level, weed harrowing caused an increase in yield of 4.4 hkg ha⁻¹ for a strong competitor (cv. Otira), while there was no effect on yield at the higher nutrient level. For a weaker competitor (cv. Brazil), weed harrowing caused no change in yield at the lower nutrient level, whereas yield decreased by 6.0 hkg ha⁻¹ at the higher nutrient level. There were marked differences between the weed suppressive ability of the four varieties when not harrowed, with less pronounced but significant differences when harrowed. Weed harrowing did not change the weed suppressive ability of a variety. Varieties that are tall at post‐emergence harrowing and have increased density after pre‐emergence harrowing, are the ones that benefit most from weed harrowing.     

Virulence spectrum to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in isolates of Rhynchosporium secalis from Syria

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Scald caused by Rhynchosporium secalis, is an economically important disease found worldwide. Information on the variability of virulence in R. secalis is...     

Herbicidal control of Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop,roots and shoots in no-till spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)*

Three herbicide treatments were applied each year over a period of 4 years to Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, infestations in no-till spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in North Dakota, USA. Both chlorsulfuron at 30 g ai ha^?1+a non-ionic surfactant and a mixture of clopyralid+2,4-D at 70+280 g ai ha^?1 gradually reduced Cirsium arvense shoot density, root biomass, and adventitious root buds over the 4-year treatment period in two trials. These two treatments did not merely induce adventitious root buds to become dormant. They virtually eliminated roots to a depth of 50 cm by year 4. Tribenuron methyl at 10 g ai ha^?1+ a non-ionic surfactant was less effective in reducing shoot density and root biomass. Lutte herbicide contre les racines et les tiges de Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, dans du bli de printemps non laboure (Triticum aestivum L.) Trois traitements herbicides ont été appliqués chaque année pendant 4 ans, contre des infestations de Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, dans du blé de printemps (Triticum aestivum L.) non labouré dans le Dakota Nord, USA. Tant le chlorsulfuron à 30 g m.a. ha^?+un surfactant nonionique qu'un mélange de clopyralide+2,4-D à 70+280 g m.a. h^? ont reduit progres-sivement la densité des pieds de Cirsium arvense, la biomasse racinaire, et les bourgeons racinaires adventices pendant les 4 années de traitements dans les 2 essais. Ces traitements ont à peu près éliminé les racines sur une profondeur de 50 cm en 4 ans. Ces deux traitements n'ont pas induit de dormance des bourgeons racinaires adventices. Le tribenuron methyl à 10 g m.a. ha^?+un surfactant non ionique a été moins efficace dans la réduction de la densité de plante et de la biomasse racinaire. Chemische Bekämpfung von Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, in direktgesätem Sommerweizen (Triticum aestivum L.) In direktgesäter Sommerweizen (Triticum aestivum L.) wurdel in North Dakota. USA, Bestände von Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, über 4 Jahre jährlich 3 Herbizidbehandlungen unterzogen. Sowohl Chlorsulfuron mit 30 g AS ha^?1 nichtionischem Netzmittel als auch eine Mischung von Clopyralid+2,4D mit 70+280 g AS ha^?1 verringerten die Sproßdichte der Acker-Kratzdistel, die Wurzelbiomasse und die Adventivknospen an den Wurzeln in 2 Ver-suchen graduell. Durch diese beiden Behand-lungen wurden nicht nur die Adventivknospen dormant, sondem auch die Wurzeln bis zu einer Tiefe von 50 cm bis zum 4. Jahr fast ganz elimi-niert. Tribenuron-methyl mit 10 g AS ha^?1 nichtionischem Netzmittel war hinsichtlich der Reduktion von Sproßdichte und Wurzelbiomasse weniger wirksam.     

Dissipation of propiconazole residues in and on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In a 2-year investigation, the dissipation of residues of the fungicide propiconazole from winter wheat straw and leaves was measured by periodic sampling of the green plant material from several plots that had been sprayed with ‘Tilt 2.50EC’ at three different rates. The fungicide deposits on straw and leaves at day 0 were approximately one-quarter of the dose applied on all treatment plots, and this fraction did not differ significantly between three dosage rates. The fungicide residues disappeared rapidly, and the half-life of the fungicide on straw and leaves was approximately 5 days. At harvest time, the fungicide residues in grain and soil were negligible, but the residues remaining on straw and leaves were considerable, especially at higher spraying rates than the recommended dosage.     

Agrobacterium induces plant cell death in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The symptoms of gall or hairy root do not occur in the interactions between wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and other monocotyledonous plants, with Agrobacterium tumefaciens or Agrobacterium rhizogenes. However, both bacteria colonized wheat root surfaces at similar levels (2.0 × 10⁷ colony forming U g⁻¹ root) and grew without inhibition in suspension with intact or wounded wheat embryos or root segments present. Suspension-cultured wheat embryo cells grown in 7.4 m M O₂ displayed 23% cell death after 1 h exposure to Agrobacterium cells, while the extent of cell death with 2.1 m M O₂ averaged 8%. Cultured wheat embryo and root cells rapidly produced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) when contacted with A. tumefaciens or A. rhizogenes. Production of H₂O₂ was lower at 2.1 m M O₂ than 7.4 mM O₂. Browning and autofluorescence of epidermal cells of callus derived from wheat embryos and wheat roots was observed after inoculation with Agrobacterium. An increase in ferulic acid was detected in the walls of roots exposed to Agrobacterium. However, neither lignin nor callose was detected by diagnostic staining methods. These findings suggest that Agrobacterium induced a resistance-like response in wheat that may reduce the efficacy of transformation and limit the normal symptom formation.     

Response of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) to sulfosulfuron: The role of degradation

Wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) is one of the most troublesome weed species in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Iran. Two bioassay experiments were conducted in order to study the response of wild barley and wheat to different herbicides and to study the efficacy of pre‐emergence (PRE), postemergence (POST), and PRE followed by POST applications of sulfosulfuron on wild barely. Moreover, the degradation of sulfosulfuron was studied by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The results showed that wild barley was highly tolerant to clodinafop‐propargyl and its dry weight was reduced by only 15%, compared to the control, at the recommended dose (64 g ai ha^?1). Sulfosulfuron reduced the wild barley biomass by ≤50% at the highest dose (90 g ai ha^?1) in the first bioassay but by not more than 20% and 12% at the recommended dose (22 g ai ha^?1) in the first and second bioassay, respectively. Significant differences were found among the application methods of sulfosulfuron, with the POST application being the least effective method. In contrast to the POST application, wild barley was severely injured by the PRE application of sulfosulfuron, with an ED₅₀ dose of 7.3 g ai ha^?1. The degradation study showed that wild barley can metabolize sulfosulfuron that is applied POST, but at a lower rate than wheat. By 4 h after application, wild barley had metabolized 26% of the sulfosulfuron, compared to 46% by wheat. In conclusion, wild barley can metabolize the recommended dose of sulfosulfuron that is applied POST; thus, the PRE application of sulfosulfuron or other integrated methods should be considered for the effective control of wild barley in wheat.     

A weed suppressive index for spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) varieties

A screening programme for crop variety competitiveness would ideally be based on only a few, non-destructive measurements of key growth traits. In this study we measured the weed suppressive ability of 79 varieties of spring barley in two ways: (i) directly, by weed coverage assessments under weedy conditions at three Danish locations in 2002–2004 and (ii) indirectly, by non-destructive measurements of varietal growth traits under weed-free conditions in 17 other experiments in Denmark in 2001–2003. Based on just four varietal growth traits (reflectance, leaf area index, leaf angle and culm length), we successfully developed a method for indexing the weed suppressive ability of spring barley varieties. The suppressive index ranged from 12% in Lux and 55% in Modena in proportion to the 90% quantile coverage of all varieties. The index was validated against independent data from two locations in 2005 with 14 and 24 varieties and was found valuable for future use in regular screening programmes.     

Competition between vegetative plants of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Competition between wild oat (Avena fatua L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in two experiments; a replacement series model and a technique for separation of root and shoot systems. Wild oat and wheat in association resulted in a relative yield total very close to unity showing that the two species were‘crowding for the same space’(or competing for the same resources) and were‘mutually exclusive'. Wild oat was more competitive than wheat, as shown by its aggressivity relative to wheat, relative yields, shoot dry weights and other plant attributes. The greater competitive ability of wild oat was predominantly due to its greater root competitive ability, while the two species had similar shoot competitive ability. Root competition had a much greater effect on the relative performance of the two species than did shoot competition. The effects of root and shoot competition were additive.     

Comparative sensitivity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to insecticide and fungicide on different stages of cell cycle

In this study, the comparison of cytogenetic effects of insecticide and fungicide in different phases of cell cycle was investigated in the root tip cells of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The seeds of H. vulgare L. Var. Karan 16 were treated with different concentrations (0.05%, 0.1% and 0.5%) of insecticide Profenophos (PF) and fungicide Mancozeb (MZ) for 6 h after presoaking durations of 7, 17 and 27 h.The different presoaking durations were used to bring the cells in various phases of cell cycle. Negative control was run parallel in distilled water. Cytogenetic examinations of root meristems exposed to the PF and MZ showed significant inhibition of mitotic index (MI) as well as significant increase in chromosomal aberrations (CAs). These parameters were dependent on the concentrations of insecticide and fungicide. The present study shows that PF and MZ both caused more damage in S phase of cell cycle which indicates that S phase is more sensitive in comparison to other phases.     

Joint action of root-absorbed mixtures of auxin herbicides in Sinapis alba L. and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The efficacy of some binary mixtures of MCPA, 2,4-D dichlorprop, mecoprop and dicamba was evaluated in water culture experiments. Within each of seven assays, two dose-response curves described the phytotoxicity of the herbicides administered separately and three curves described the phytotoxicity of mixtures in fixed ratios. A non-linear regression model of dry matter on the logarithm of the dose, assuming the five response curves to be mutually parallel, was fitted and a reference model, the Additive Dose Model (ADM) to assess the efficacy of the mixtures, was also incorporated into the regression. The biological interpretation of ADM is often associated with mixtures of compounds having similar mode of action. Mixtures of dicamba with dichlorprop or 2,4-D were more potent than expected under ADM in two Sinapis alba assays. In one assay with mixtures of MCPA and dichlorprop the parallel-line model fitted somewhat better than did the ADM regression. This also applied to a barley assay with mixtures of dicamba and MCPA. On the basis of the results obtained it is suggested that the analogy between the implicit assumptions of the parallel-line assay can be extended to the ADM. Parallel dose response curves are a necessary but not a sufficient condition for assuming similar mode of action Similarly, it can be argued that mixtures of compounds following ADM are a necessary but not a sufficient condition for assuming a similar mode of action for the herbicides in a mixture.     

Attempts to transfer paraquat resistance from barley grass (Hordeum glaucum Steud.) to barley and wheat

A paraquat-resistant biotype of barley grass (Hordeum glaucum Steud.) was hybridized with barley and wheat in an attempt to transfer paraquat resistance to these crops. Although hybridizations with barley did not result in the production of a plant, cytological evidence of chromosome elimination of one parent, presumably of H. glaucum, was obtained from squash preparations of young F₁ embryos. Hybridizations of wheat with both diploid and tetraploid H. glaucum resulted in the production of wheat haploids. These results indicate that it may not be possible to transfer paraquat resistance to barley and wheat using conventional hybridization techniques.     

成株抗性与全生育期抗性基因聚合培育抗条锈性小麦新品种

聚合成株期抗性基因和全生育期抗病基因是小麦条锈病菌源越夏区甘肃陇南小麦生产中重要的育种策略, 可以减轻致病性小种定向选择压力、兼顾苗期抗病性和成株抗病性及提高品种抗病持久性。本研究利用常规育种结合分子标记辅助选择, 以抗病品种‘兰天15号’‘兰天26号’和品系‘C69-17-13-14-15-6-1’作为抗病基因供体亲本, 聚合成株期抗性基因Yr30/Lr27/Sr2, 全生育期抗病基因Yr9、Yr37/Lr17/Sr38和YrZH84, 对杂交组合‘兰天26号’ב兰天15号’和‘C69-17-13-14-15-6-1’ב兰天26’的后代进行抗性鉴定与目标基因分子检测, 育成了适宜在条锈病越夏核心菌源区甘肃陇南山旱地推广种植的冬小麦新品种‘兰天132’(Yr9+Lr37/Yr17/Sr38+Yr30/Lr27/Sr2+YrZH84)和‘兰天196’(Yr9+Lr37/Yr17/Sr38+Yr30/Lr27/Sr2), 其苗期均对主要流行小种CYR33免疫, 对CYR34感病, 田间成株期对混合菌(CYR32、CYR33、CYR34、Gui22-1、ZS等重要流行小种)高抗至免疫, 并具有较好的抗旱性和丰产性。基因聚合新品种‘兰天132’和‘兰天196’有望成为我国条锈病西北越夏核心菌源区陇南小麦生产中持久抗性新品种。     

Growth response of six weed species and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) to increasing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus

A glasshouse experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of increasing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth of six common weed species growing alone or in competition with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare). Capsella bursa‐pastoris, Chenopodium album, Papaver rhoeas, Sinapis arvensis, Spergula arvensis, Viola arvensis and spring barley were grown in pots with different levels of nitrogen (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg N ha^?1) or phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 kg P ha^?1). The aboveground parts of the plants were harvested after 7 weeks and the dry weight of shoots, percentage N and P content of the shoot and uptake of N and P were determined. A linear or a polynomial model was used to describe the data. Growing alone, Spergula arvensis was the only weed species that increased its dry weight at the same rate as barley. Weed species with low dry weight increase had larger increases in percentage N or P content than barley, indicating a luxury accumulation of nutrients. The uptake of N and P per pot did not differ much between weeds and barley. V. arvensis and P. rhoeas accumulated least nutrients (per cent of dry matter) and Spergula arvensis accumulated most. Weeds grew poorly in competition with barley. The percentage N and P content in barley did not change when they grew in competition with weeds.     

Effect of mecoprop on plant growth and distribution of photosynthate in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings

Foliar application of the phenoxy-acid herbicide, mecoprop, at four times normal field rate, caused decreases in root and shoot growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The shoot relative growth rate (RGR) was affected before that of the roots but subsequently the root RGR was significantly decreased. The roots of plants affected by mecoprop produced large numbers of short swollen laterals but the root system as a whole gradually recovered. Mecoprop treatment was associated with an immediate and lasting decrease in photo-synthetic ¹⁴CO₂ fixation. After a pulse of ¹⁴CO₂ in the light, the proportion of carbon moving to the roots in treated plants was always decreased but after a 24-h chase the proportion moving to the roots was initially decreased (2 days after spraying), then increased (9 days after spraying), but later became the same (17 days after spraying) as the water sprayed controls. Possible mechanisms involved with these mecoprop induced changes are discussed. Effets de l'herbicide mécoprop sur le développement végétatif et la répartition de produits photosynthétiques dans des plantules de blé (Triticum aestivum L.) Le mécoprop, acide phénoxypropionique, en application foliaire à quatre fois la dose conseillée, a amené une baisse dans la croissance des racines et des pousses du blé (Triticum aestivum L.). Le taux de croissance relative (RGR) des pousses a témoigné des effets plus tôt que les racines mais ultérieurement le RGR des racines a baissé de façon significative. Les racines des plantes touchées par le mécoprop ont produit de nombreuses ramifications courtes et renflées, mais le système racinaire s'est remis peu à peu. Les traitements au mécoprop sont associés à une baisse immédiate et prolongée dans la fixation du ¹⁴CO₂ photosynthétique. A la suite d'un marquage au ¹⁴CO₂à la lumière, la proportion de carbone qui s'acheminait vers les racines des plantes traitées a toujours fait voir une baisse mais au bout d'un intervalle de 24 h, la proportion qui s'acheminait vers les racines a d'abord diminué (2 jours après la pulvérisation) pour augmenter ensuite (9 jours après la pulvérisation). Plus tard (17 jours après la pulvérisation) cette proportion était semblable à celle des témoins ne recevant que de l'eau. Les mécanismea éventuellement enjeu dans ces changements provoqués par le mécoprop sont discutés. Wirkung von Mecoprop auf das Wachstum und die Verteilung von Assimilaten bei Jungpflanzen des Weizens (Triticum aestivum L.) Die Blattapplikation von Mecoprop in der 4 fachen Normaldosierung führte zu einer Abnahme des Wurzel-und Sprosswachstums des Weizens. Zunächst war das Wachstum des Sprosses, aber später auch das der Wurzeln herabgesetzt. Die Seitenwurzeln waren verkürzt und verdickt, aber nach und nach fand das Wurzelsystem zum normalen Wuchs zurück. Nach der Behandlung nahm die ¹⁴14C0₂-Assimilation für einige Zeit ab. 9 Tage nach der Behandlung nahm der Transport von Assimilaten in die Wurzeln wieder zu, so dass er 17 Tage nach der Behandlung dieselbe Höhe wie bei den Kontrollpflanzen erreichte. Der mögliche Mechanismus der von Mecoprop herbeigeführten Veränderungen wird diskutiert.