EFFECTS OF NON-LETHAL CONCENTRATIONS OF 2,4-D ON BUCKWHEAT

The sequence of events from the time of application of herbicidal concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid until the death of the plant has been elucidated by the use of a variety of plants by numerous investigators (4, 5 and others). A number of papers concerning the action of nonherbicidal concentrations of the growth-regulator have appeared (1, 2, 6, 7) but few have endeavored to trace the changes induced by a series of nonlethal concentrations over a period of time. In the present study attempts were made to discover the effects of 50, 100, 500, and 1000 p.p.m. 2,4-D on buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum, variety silver hull, over a time interval of eight days. Observations and analyses for dry weight, total sugars, starch-dextrins, total nitrogen, insoluble nitrogen, and soluble nitrogen were made using plants harvested three, eight and 12 hours, one, two, four, and eight days after spraying.