The Fate of Nitrofen in Rape, Redroot Pigweed, and Green Foxtail

Abstract
The fate of 2,4-dichlorophenyl p-nitrophenyl ether (nitrofen) in the foliage of rape (Brassica campestris L. ‘Echo’), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), and green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) was investigated with the aid of 14C-nitrofen. Only limited amounts of the label were translocated in these species. Plants treated with 14C-nitrofen under high light conditions produced several labelled compounds of different molecular size and chromatographic properties. The time at which these compounds were first detectable depended on light intensity. At least two of these compounds are lipid-nitrofen conjugates or nitrofen polymers and others may be formed by cleavage of nitrofen at the ether linkage.