Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Using nutrient culture techniques, it was determined that a 14-day exposure to metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] concentrations in the range of 10-6 M reduced lengths and weights of seedling sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata L. ‘NK-199′) shoots and roots by 30 to 50%. With the exception of root weight, intensity of inhibition was proportional to day length. Reductions in accumulation of Ca, Mg, K, and P accompanied decreases in sweet corn growth. A 4-day exposure of sweet corn to 2.8 and 5.6 × 10-6 M metolachlor had no significant effect on growth and nutrient accumulation when treatments were followed by a 9-day incubation in metolachlor-free nutrient solution.