Whole plant and tissue culture experiments were conducted to determine the difference in phytotoxicity of 2,4-D and its metabolite, 2,4-DCP, to red clover. At the whole plant level, the mean concentration of 2,4-DCP (10 mM) required to cause 50% growth inhibition (I50) of shoot dry weight was 24 times greater than for 2,4-D (0.42 mM). Using callus tissue, the I50 value for 2,4-DCP (0.28 mM) was 22 times greater than for 2,4-D (0.013 mM) based on dry weights. The callus tissue was 36 and 32 times more sensitive to 2,4-DCP and 2,4-D than shoot tissue based on dry weights, respectively. These data indicate that 2,4-DCP was less phytotoxic than 2,4-D to red clover both in vitro and in vivo.
