Root Disfunction in Honeyvine Milkweed Caused by 2,4-D

Abstract

Foliar applications of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) to both field- and greenhouse-grown honeyvine milkweed (Ampelamus albidus(Nutt.) Britt.) caused 22% and 36% reduction in starch in roots at 2 and 3 days after treatment, respectively. No changes in soluble sugars occurred during the period, but protein had increased by 35% and 80% on the two respective dates. No increase in α-amylase was measured. Leakage of nucleotides and α-amylase from root sections began 2 days after treatment. A 20 to 30-fold increase in cellulase activity occurred in roots of treated plants starting 2 days after treatment.