Distribution and loss of phorate residues in the foliage of broad bean plants following root uptake of 14C-labelled phorate

¹⁴C-Methylene labelled phorate was added to nutrient solutions supplying the roots of young broad bean plants and after 24 h absorption, fresh nutrient was substituted. The radiolabel accumulated at the leaf margins was initially associated with solvent-soluble toxic metabolites. Radiolabel extracted from foliage which developed after the treatment was mainly in water-soluble form. The maximum concentration of toxic material occurred in the marginal areas of the leaves after 5 or 6 days and in the central portions after 2 days. The concentrations declined to half of their peak values in 4–6 days from leaf-margin tissue and in 2 days from the central tissues. Water-soluble label did not accumulate to any significant extent. Most was found in the marginal areas but concentrations built up slowly reaching a maximum after about 2 weeks, declining slowly thereafter.