Foliar sprays against potato common scab: compounds related to 3,5-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

In glasshouse tests against the soil-borne disease potato common scab (Streptomyces scabies), foliar sprays (0 · 9 mm) of several compounds inhibited symptom development as effectively as 3,5-D (3,5-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). These compounds were of two main types: (1) compounds very similar in structure to 3,5-D, viz. 3,5-disubstituted phenoxyacetic acids in which the substituents were dibromo-, di(trifluoromethyl)- or any combination of bromo-, chloro- and iodo- except diiodo-; (2) compounds which could be metabolized to 3,5-D within the plant, viz. 4-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)butanoic acid, 3,5-dichlorophenoxy-acetamide, 3,5-dichlorophenoxy-N,N-diethylacetamide and 2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)ethylamine. No compound of either type was significantly more effective than 3,5-D, and those which were as effective shared its effects on tuber yield, number and shape. About 30 other compounds related to 3,5-D were less effective or ineffective.