Effects of Maleic Hydrazide and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid on the Free Amino Acids in Sugar Beets

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Abstract
The effects of maleic hydrazide and 2,4-D used as plant sprays on rapidly growing sugar beets was intensively studied in the vicinity of Fort Collins, Colorado, during 1951 and 1952. The chemicals were tested alone and in combination, and analyses of the effects on the free amino acids of roots and tops were made separately. Paper chromato-graphic techniques were used in combination with a Densichron to obtain critical data for both qualitative and quantitative comparisons. Results indicated that these chemicals used either alone or in combination caused significant changes in the relative quantities of the free amino acids in sugar beets without significant qualitative changes. Treatment with maleic hydrazide in 1951 resulted in a significant increase in the relative quantities of leucine, isoleucine, valine, and gamma amino butyric acid in sugar beet roots when sprays were applied 33 days before harvest. Rates used were 3 pounds and 6 pounds of active ingredients per acre. The formulation was an alkanalamine salt (MH-30 - Naugatuck Chemical Company). Time of sampling after treatment determined in part whether certain free amino acids increased or decreased due to treatment. Treatment with maleic hydrazide at 6 pounds per acre in 1952 resulted in a relative decrease in glutamine, alanine, lysine, and tyrosine when roots were harvested 5 days after treatment. However, these same free amino acids in comparable roots collected 60 days after spraying with maleic hydrazide produced significant increases in the same acids. A similar observation was made on the effect of 2,4-D used alone. Roots collected 5 days after treatment showed decreases in glutamine, alanine, lysine and tyrosine whereas roots collected 60 days after sampling showed significant increases in all free amino acids except aspartic acid. The combinations of maleic hydrazide plus 2,4-D in the same spray tended to cancel out each other when sampling was done 5 days after treatment, but when samples were taken 60 days after treatment the two chemicals produced additive effects as far as relative amounts of glutamine, gamma amino butyric acid, valine, and either leucine or isoleucine were concerned.

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