Selectivity of 2,4-D in Solanum ptycanthum Dun. and Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

In controlled environmental studies, a marked difference was observed between the growth pattern of tomato and eastern black nightshade plants that received doses of 2,4-D ranging from 28 to 952 g a.e. ha^?1. The highest dose of 2,4-D reduced the dry weight of eastern black nightshade and tomato by approximately 15 and 50%, respectively, when compared with controls. Although the height of both species was reduced by all doses of 2,4-D, eastern black nightshade plants produced secondary shoots, which compensated for any potential loss in dry weight that otherwise may have occurred. Tomato plants did not produce secondary shoots. After application of ¹⁴C-2,4-D to tomato and eastern black nightshade, the pattern of ¹⁴C absorption and translocation was similar in both plant species. However, there was significantly more radioactivity recovered in tomato (72%) than in eastern black nightshade (52%) plants, 72 h after treatment. Assay radioactivity in the nutrient solution of hydroponically grown plants indicated that 7·0 and 27·9% of the applied radioactivity was exuded from the roots of tomato and eastern black nightshade, respectively, within 72 h after treatment. Assay of plant extracts by thin layer chromatography revealed that the amount of radioactivity that remained as unaltered 2,4-D was 73 and 49% in tomato and eastern black nightshade, respectively, 72 h after treatment. Thus the greater tolerance of eastern black nightshade appeared to be due to greater rates of 2,4-D metabolism and/or greater rates of herbicide elimination by root exudation.