THE EFFECT OF SODIUM DIMETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE ON WATER UPTAKE, TRANSPIRATION, AND STOMATAL OPENING

Abstract

Sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, applied to the roots of tomato and bean plants, markedly decreases the rate of transpiration and prevents stomatal opening. The chemical also causes a large reduction in water movement associated with metabolic root pressure. The concentration of total amino acids moving out of the root system is reduced by as much as 50% of normal. Transpiration and stomatal opening of detached leaves from untreated plants are not affected appreciably by solutions of sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate.