Glyphosate efficacy is contributed by its tissue concentration and sensitivity in velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

Glyphosate efficacy was examined in young velvetleaf plants from the standpoint of its tissue distribution and sensitivity. In whole plant assays, manual application of a sub-lethal dose to the first leaf resulted only in meristem injury while other tissues remained visually healthy. Our studies showed that this differential tissue response was caused by a combination of differential distribution as well as sensitivity to glyphosate. Using [C-14]glyphosate, we measured tissue injury and glyphosate residue, and calculated tissue threshold for 50% growth inhibition. Our studies showed that roots and meristem have high glyphosate distribution (45 and 34% of translocated, respectively) and low inhibition thresholds (0.23 and 0.21 ppm, respectively) resulting in tissues that were easily killed by glyphosate. In contrast, the base stem contained a much higher inhibition threshold (8.4 ppm) with only intermediate distribution (10%) resulting in a tissue that was most difficult to kill. We observed a linear relationship between glyphosate dose and tissue concentration; furthermore, tissue distribution pattern was independent of dose or surfactants class. At a sub-lethal dose, sensitive tissues that received a large distribution of glyphosate were preferentially killed. As the dose was increased, more glyphosate was available for distribution, and all tissues received a proportionately greater amount of glyphosate. Plant death occurred when the applied dose was sufficient to attain the lethal threshold in all tissues. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.