Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Two clones of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) which differed in their susceptibility to (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) under field and greenhouse conditions also exhibited similar differences when stem cells were cultured in liquid and agar media. Amino acids added to the culture media altered the response to 2,4-D. Glutamic acid increased the tolerance of the susceptible (S) clone, but reduced the tolerance of the resistant (R) clone. Glutamine increased the susceptibility of the S clone to a much greater degree than it did the R clone. No significant differences were noted in the rates of absorption of metabolism of 2,4-D by the two clones. Glutamine increased and glutamic acid decreased 2,4-D absorption by both clones. Levels of nitrate reductase activity (NRA), soluble protein (SP), and gross RNA (GR) increased in the S tissues but decreased or remained constant in the R tissues exposed to 4.5 × 10−5M 2,4-D. Correlations between 2,4-D susceptibility and NRA demonstrated a relationship between the effects of 2,4-D and nitrogen metabolism. Differential binding of 2,4-D within the cells appears to be the most likely explanation for the differences in response to 2,4-D.