Leaf Wash Techniques for Estimation of Foliar Absorption of Herbicides

Abstract

Three wash techniques, each with 1, 10, or 95% (v/v) ethanol:water were used to measure foliar absorption of14C-glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine],14C-3,6-dichloropicolinic acid, and14C-chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide} in Tartary buckwheat [Fagopyrum tataricum(L.) Gaertn. ♯3FAGTA], Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense(L.) Scop. ♯ CIRAR], and barley (Hordeum vulgareL. ‘Galt’). For the herbicides and species tested, the most suitable common procedure for determining absorption consisted of a double or triple rinse with or immersion in 10% ethanol. Wiping the treated leaves with cotton balls moistened with the solvent was much less effective. Efficiency of herbicide removal by a given solvent was not related consistently to solubility of the herbicide in the solvent.