Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
The effect of 1.0 ppmw fluridone {1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4(1H)-pyridinone} on growth of American pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus Poir.) and sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus L.) was examined in plants kept in darkness or under various numbers of 12-h photoperiods. When plants were exposed to 1.0 ppmw fluridone for 1 to 10 12-h days, no stunting of American pondweed occurred until 21 days after treatment. Thirtythree days after treatment, plants that had received 4 to 10 days' exposure were most stunted. Sago pondweed was slightly more susceptible than American pondweed (87% and 50% reduction in length, respectively) 37 days after a 10-day exposure. Chlorophylls a and b were significantly lower in both species 14 days after all fluridone treatments. American pondweed plants exposed to fluridone continuously (1.0 ppmw) for 15 days, but given 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, or 15 12-h days were stunted only after having received at least six photoperiods. Stunting in sago pondweed was only slightly light-dependent. Neither species absorbed significantly more 14C-labeled fluridone after 2, 4, or 14 photoperiods compared to plants kept in darkness for the same time.