Uptake, translocation and phytotoxicity of root-absorbed haloxyfop in soybean, Festuca rubra L. and Festuca arundinacea Schreb

The concentrations of haloxyfop in nutrient solution required to reduce the total plant dry weight of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. ‘Evans’), red fescue (Festuca rubra L. ‘Pennlawn’), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. ‘Houndog’) by 50% (GR₅₀) were determined. The GR₅₀) values for soybean, red fescue and tall fescue were 76 μM, 3μM and 0.4 μM, respectively. The reduction in growth in roots and shoots of soybean was similar. In contrast, the relative reduction in root tissue weight was greater than that for foliar tissue in both grass species. The amount of ¹⁴C-haloxyfop in soybean roots or shoots was higher than in red fescue or tall fescue. Red fescue accumulated less haloxyfop in the foliage than in the roots. On the other hand, similar amounts of ¹⁴C-haloxyfop accumulated in both organs in both soybean and tall fescue. ¹⁴C-haloxyfop appeared to be actively absorbed by the roots of all species. Soybean absorbed more nutrient solution, but utilized it less on a per gram dry matter produced basis than the grass species. Differences in the uptake and translocation of haloxyfop by roots do not account for differences in tolerance between species. However, a higher level of retention of haloxyfop in the roots of red fescue than in tall fescue may provide the former with an additional selectivity advantage under conditions where there is significant root exposure to the herbicide.