Plant Response to Herbicide Placement in Soil

Abstract

Greenhouse and growth chamber studies were conducted to investigate effects of herbicide placement in soil on toxicity to emerging seedlings. The use of a technique involving a plastic bag over the plants for 3 to 4 weeks to reduce soil moisture loss did not change the apparent site of 2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (atrazine) uptake by green foxtail (Setaria viridis(L.) Beauv.) or oats (Avena sativaL.). Atrazine was more effective on oats through root exposure and more effective on green foxtail through shoot exposure when an untreated buffer zone around the seed was used. But in subsequent studies without the buffer zone, atrazine was most active when placed immediately below the seed of both oats and green foxtail. Proximity to the seed increased effectiveness of atrazine,S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC), and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron). Also, a narrow concentrated layer of these three herbicides adjacent to the seed was more effective than a wider dilute layer above or below the seed. A diurnal fluctuating temperature regime with a low night temperature increased toxicity of EPTC to oats through root exposure, when compared to a constant temperature regime.