Influence of Glyphosate Concentration on Glyphosate Absorption and Translocation in Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Abstract

Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the influence of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] and surfactant concentration on Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense(L.) Scop. # CIRAR] control. Five, 10, and 30% (v/v) solutions of the commercial formulation of glyphosate (356 g ae/L glyphosate and 178 g ai/L MON 0818) applied in 2-μl droplets to Canada thistle leaves at an equal dose per plant did not reduce plant growth, whereas a 2.5% solution reduced growth by 76%. Varying the glyphosate and the polyethoxylated tallow amine surfactant (MON 0818) concentrations independently showed that low glyphosate and MON 0818 concentrations controlled Canada thistle better than high concentrations. High glyphosate concentration (108 μg/μl), high MON 0818 concentration (54 μg/μl), and large droplet size (2 μl) reduced14C-glyphosate absorption and translocation compared with low glyphosate concentration (9 μg/μl), low MON 0818 concentration (4.5 μg/μl), and small droplet size (0.2 μl). High glyphosate and high MON 0818 concentrations may cause rapid tissue toxicity resulting in reduced translocation and poor perennial weed control.