Status of neo-decanoic acids applied to onion (Allium cepa L.) foliage and phytotoxicity of neo-decanoic acids applied to organic soil

Abstract

SUMMARYA mixture of 14C-labelled neo-decanoic acids (NDA) applied to onion foliage was virtually all retained at the site of contact rather than being metabolized or moved within the plant. When [14C]NDA was brought into contact with non-sterile organic (muck) soil, 14CO2 was released, suggestive of oxidation by soil micro-organisms. The volatilized acids of NDA are not toxic to unsprayed plants at temperatures up to 32 °C, nor is residue in organic soil harmful to plants sown 5 or more days after NDA spray application.