Differences in the Phytotoxic Response of Wild Oats(Avena fatua)to Triallate and Trifluralin

Abstract

Several differences between the mode of action of trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) and triallate [S-(2,3,3-trichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate] were observed on wild oats(Avena fatuaL.) in growth chamber experiments. Trifluralin exhibited little or no postemergence effect when applied to the soil surface. Surface applications of triallate interfered with deposition of epicuticular wax on leaf surfaces, and caused necrotic lesions, leaf break, and the abortion of the first leaf through the coleoptile. Trifuralin, but not triallate, incorporated in the soil reduced extension of the wild oat coleoptile. Soil-incorporated treatments involving trifluralin induced more extensive swelling of the mesocotyl, coleoptile node, and and coleoptile than triallate applied similarly. Triallate appeared to exert its major effect on cell elongation of the wild oat foliar material enclosed in the coleoptile. Trifluralin caused its greatest phytotoxic effect on the meristematic tissue at the region of the coleoptile node.