Mefluidide Effects on Growth of Corn (Zea mays) and the Synthesis of Protein by Cucumber (Cucumissativus) Cotyledon Tissue

Abstract

Mefluidide {N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl]amino] phenyl] acetamide} at concentrations of 2.9 × 10-4M and above retarded the growth of corn (Zea maysL. ‘Pioneer 3369A’) grown in nutrient culture. Dwarfing was accompanied by some plant distortion and chlorosis of the bases of those leaves formed soon after treatment. The chlorosis was associated with decreased chlorophyllacontent. Chlorophyllbcontent was not affected. The growth-retardant effects of mefluidide could not be reversed by applications of gibberellic acid. Using cucumber (Cucumis sativusL. ‘Ashley’) cotyledon discs, a low level of mefluidide (2.9 × 10-5M) increased the incorporation of14C from leucine into protein, while a high concentration (2.9 × 10-4M) reduced incorporation. Neither concentration affected the absorption of14C-leucine.