The developmental status of perennial weeds such as rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea L.) can influence herbicide absorption and translocation. Differential efficacy between fall and spring applications suggests vernalization impacts herbicide absorption and translocation in other perennial asters. Clopyralid and aminopyralid absorption and translocation were quantified in nonvernalized and vernalized plants following application of 14C-labeled herbicides 2, 4, 8, 24, and 72 h after treatment. Less 14C clopyralid was absorbed, and at a slower rate, in vernalized plants. Movement out of the treated leaf was slower, with 14C clopyralid translocating more rapidly than 14C aminopyralid. More 14C moved to the roots in nonvernalized plants compared with vernalized plants, regardless of herbicide. Increased translocation to belowground survival structures is needed for effective control of C. juncea.

Research was conducted to determine the role of uptake, distribution, and metabolism of quinclorac in differential sensitivity of southern crabgrass and Kentucky bluegrass. At 0.5 h, quinclorac uptake was 85% in southern crabgrass and 66% in bluegrass. Uptake and distribution differed between species. By 128 h, Kentucky bluegrass had uniformly distributed quinclorac and exuded 17% into the nutrient solution. Metabolism of quinclorac was limited to less than 3.6% of the applied 14C in the two species, at 128 h. Selectivity of quinclorac may be influenced by differences in uptake, distribution, and exudation by the roots but not by metabolism.

Imazamox is an imidazolinone herbicide used to control many grasses and broadleaf weeds in leguminous crops such as soybean, alfalfa, and dry bean; however, imazamox cannot be used on red lentil due to unacceptable injury. Studies were conducted to compare imazamox absorption, translocation, and metabolism in red lentil and dry bean to determine if any or all of these factors contributed to differential crop sensitivity. Radiolabeled imazamox was applied to three young red lentil leaves and the youngest, fully expanded dry bean trifoliolate leaf. Absorption, translocation, and metabolism were followed over a 96-h time course. Red lentil had more rapid absorption compared to dry beans with 64 and 54% of the applied dose absorbed 12 h after treatment (HAT), respectively. Maximum absorption was also greater in red lentil than dry bean, 79 and 61%, respectively. Translocation out of the treated leaf was significantly higher in red lentil compared with dry bean, 16 and 0.5%, respectively, at 96 HAT. Translocation was greater to red lentil roots compared to shoots, 9 and 7%, respectively, at 96 HAT. In dry bean only 14% of applied 14C-imazamox remained intact 24 HAT, while 79% of the radioactivity was imazamox in red lentil 24 HAT. Both species metabolized the herbicide to more polar metabolites. The inherent sensitivity of aceolactate synthase (ALS) from dry bean and red lentil was also evaluated. ALS from both species had similar I50 values for imazamox, 7.2 and 8.2 µM, respectively. The combined effects of increased imazamox absorption and reduced imazamox metabolism are the major contributors to differential selectivity between dry bean and red lentil. Rapid imazamox metabolism in dry bean significantly limited herbicide translocation out of the treated leaf.

Aminopyralid is a new auxinic herbicide that provides Canada thistle control at lower use rates than clopyralid. Studies were conducted to determine if differences in absorption, translocation, or metabolism account for aminopyralid's greater biological activity. Radiolabeled aminopyralid and clopyralid were applied to individual leaves of rosette-stage Canada thistle plants. Nonionic surfactant was used for the absorption studies because it provided higher aminopyralid absorption than methylated seed oil or crop oil concentrate. Clopyralid was absorbed very rapidly, reaching 72% 24 h after treatment (HAT) and remaining near or above 80% during a 192-h time course. During the same time period, aminopyralid absorption increased from 34 to 60%. Clopyralid translocation out of the treated leaf was significantly higher than aminopyralid, 39% compared with 17%, respectively, 192 HAT. More of applied clopyralid translocated to aboveground tissue 192 HAT (27%) than to roots (12%), whereas aminopyralid translocation was similar in aboveground tissue (10%) and roots (7%) 192 HAT. Neither aminopyralid nor clopyralid was metabolized 192 HAT. Although aminopyralid is effective at lower use rates than clopyralid, clopyralid absorption and translocation were higher in Canada thistle. These results suggest that aminopyralid's chemical structure may provide for greater biological activity at the target site than clopyralid.