THE EFFECTS OF SUB-LETHAL DOSES OF MCPA ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND YIELD OF VEGETABLE CROPS

Summary. The effects of sub-lethal doses of MCPA-sodium on the morphology, yield and marketability of cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts were studied in field and glasshouse experiments. The epinastic and formative effects in all three crops were similar. Cauliflower was the most susceptible and cabbage the least, but the marketability of these two crops was adversely affected at lower doses (less than 0.06 lb/ac a.e.) than that of Brussels sprouts (not below 0.1 Ib/ac a.e.), where the damage to the apex had less effect on the economically important portion of the plant. Brussels sprouts also produced lateral shoots on which normal sprouts developed even when the main stem above had been killed. In all three crops, characteristic galls were produced on the stems, and these, together with the effects on the stem apices, the leaves and the roots, are described and contrasted with abnormalities caused by other agencies.
Effets de doses sub-létales de MCPA sur la morphologie et le rendement des cultures tégumières IL Choux, choux-fleurs et choux de Bruxelles