Physiological Changes Accompanying the Death of Cocklebur Plants Treated with 2,4-D

Abstract

The hypothesis that plants treated with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) die as a consequence of abnormal growth has been examined. Cocklebur (Xanthium sp) plants spot treated on one leaf with 2,4-D show three phases of growth toward death. For the first 2 days after treatment, there is a net weight increase, largely due to abnormal growth of the axis (apex, stem, and tap root). Root and leaf growth are drastically curtailed. Between 2 and 7 days, axis growth continues primarily at the expense of leaf tissue which is induced to senesce, especially the cotyledons. The last phase between 7 and 10 days leads to collapse and withering of plants, and was not examined in detail.Analyses for nitrogenous constituents show the usual mobilization to the axis, with early and large increases in nucleic acid. Both photosynthesis and ion absorption are initially stimulated but decline sharply after the first day. Translocation to leaves and roots is drastically reduced in favor of the proliferating axis.The death of the plant appears to be due to suppression of normal apical growth coupled with induction of abnormal axis growth. Failure to produce new root and leaf tissue plus inadequate nutritional maintenance of existing roots and leaves lead to lack of autotrophism and eventual death. The biochemical basis for these responses appears to be with aberrant nucleic acid metabolism.