Recovery of non-target plants affected by airborne bromoxynil-octanoate and metribuzin

The present study was conducted to evaluate the recovery potential of non‐target plants affected by two airborne herbicides. Sunflower at the two‐leaf stage was used as a test plant and exposed for 24 h in a wind tunnel to a range of concentrations of airborne bromoxynil‐octanoate and metribuzin. Quantum yield (φ_PSII) of exposed leaves and of the second leaf pair developed after exposure was determined at a particular time up to 16 days following exposure. Maximum depression in quantum yield of exposed leaves from which a complete recovery occurred within 16 days was 63% for bromoxynil‐octanoate and 60% for metribuzin respectively. The corresponding maximum concentrations were 1.310 and 0.390 μg m^?3 respectively. The second leaf pair was also affected and showed a similar recovery potential. From the results it can be concluded that the significance of airborne bromoxynil‐octanoate and metribuzin must not be overestimated, as sunflower and non‐target plants with a similar sensitivity are likely to recover from air concentrations of both herbicides reported under field conditions.