Metabolism of Amitrole in Excised Leaves of Canada Thistle Ecotypes and Bean

Abstract

Excised leaves of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) ecotypes and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., var. Red Kidney) metabolized 3-amino-l,2,4-triazole-14C (amitrole) to the same radiolabeled products, but they were produced at different rates as shown by thin-layer and paper chromatography. Bean leaves metabolized amitrole to a metabolic product (Unknown II) probably β-(3-amino-1,2,4-triazolyl-1-) α-alanine approximately three times taster than Canada thistle leaves, while Canada thistle converted Unknown II to another product (Unknown I) about 10 times faster than did bean. Thus Unknown II accumulated in bean, and Unknown I in Canada thistle. This reaction sequence in Canada thistle was evidently an irreversible consecutive first order reaction. A difference in the rate of metabolism was observed between susceptible and resistant ecotypes of Canada thistle.