Absorption and Translocation of Triclopyr in Honey Mesquite (Prosopis julifloravar.glandulosa)

Abstract

Leaves of greenhouse-grown honey mesquite [Prosopis juliflora(Swartz) DC var.glandulosa(Torr.) Cockerell # PRCJG] initially absorbed more triclopyr {[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy] acetic acid} from application of the ester than the amine salt. After 24 h, however, honey mesquite had absorbed 66% of the applied ester formulation and 72% of the amine formulation. Triclopyr was rapidly transported from the treated leaf to other plant parts. Triclopyr concentrations recovered 4 h after treatment in the upper canopy, lower canopy, and roots averaged 0.12, 0.19, and 0.09 μg, respectively. Concentrations of triclopyr recovered after 24 h were not significantly different than after 4 h in the canopy. No ester from ester application was recovered in the canopy, other than that in the treated leaf. Triclopyr recovered from stems of honey mesquite in the field ranged from 0.16 to 0.72 μg/g in phloem and from 0.04 to 0.20 μg/g in xylem from a broadcast spray application of the butoxyethanol ester at 1.12 kg/ha. Concentrations of triclopyr were usually not significantly different in either the upper or lower stems whether sampled 3 or 30 days after treatment.