Shoot zone uptake of soil-applied herbicides in some legume species

Localized placement of prometryne, linuron and diuron in the soil at the first or second shoot internodes of dwarf broad bean (Vicia faba L.) equally reduced aerial plant growth, whereas simazine and atrazine had no effect. Growth reduction also occurred when the first shoot internode of scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus multiflorus L.) in the soil was treated with all five herbicides, especially with diuron. Localized placement of these herbicides at the first or second shoot internodes of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in the soil equally reduced aerial plant growth. Foliar injury to vetch due to placement of these herbicides in the shoot zone of the soil was markedly reduced by simultaneous treatment with trifluraiin or nitralin which prevented adventitious root development on the shoot without otherwise affecting plant growth. This lack of root development on the shoots treated with trifluraiin was associated with a marked decrease in ¹⁴C-labelled atrazine uptake, which probably accounted for the reduction in atrazine phytotoxicity. A similar explanation may account for the reduced phytotoxicity of the other herbicides in the presence of trifluraiin or nitralin.