The Phytotoxicity of Propanil

Abstract
Preliminary field experiments with 3,4-dichloropropionanilide (propanil) indicated that methods of application had little effect on the activity of this herbicide. Growth of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) plants was reduced for about 7 days. Susceptible plants were killed in 3 to 7 days. Propanil inhibited the growth of tomato radicles and the auxin-induced growth of Avena coleoptiles. Propanil destroyed the permeability of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) membranes and also destroyed chloroplast membranes in vitro. Oxygen uptake by isolated mitochondria and treated leaf tissues, and phosphate esterification in mitochondria were severely inhibited by propanil. Photosynthesis was completely inhibited within 20 min after treatment but began to return to normal in resistant plants (tomato) after 6 hr.