Influence of R‐40244 on pigment content of wheat and corn

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: Chlorophyll production by wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Mericopa’) and corn (Zea mays L. Merit) was severely curtailed by the experimental herbicide l‐(m‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐3‐chloro‐4‐chloromethyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (R‐40244). A 96% loss in chlorophyll content was observed in wheat seedlings treated with 320 μmol/1 R‐40244. In corn 320 μmol/1 R‐40244 caused a 40% drop in chlorophyll content. Carotenoid production in both wheat and corn was inhibited by R‐40244, 320 μmol/1 of the herbicide causing a 97% reduction in wheat and a 44% reduction in corn. The inhibition of carotenoid production which, in turn, allows chlorophyll to be photooxidized, may represent the mode of action of R‐40244. Hill reaction activity was not detected for R‐40244.