Absorption and Translocation of¹⁴C-Labeled 2,4-D and Picloram in Field Bindweed

Absorption and translocation of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-acetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram) were measured in defoliated and intact field bindweed ( Convolvulus arvensis L.) plants. Radioactivity was applied as 5 μl of triethylamine salts of 2,4-D and picloram with an activity of 0.15 μc to a middle leaf in intact and partially-defoliated plants. After treatment for 96 hr, 14 C-activity in untreated leaves, stems, growing tips, and roots was measured. Removal of all leaves significantly reduced absorption but not translocation of both 2,4-D and picloram. A greater percentage of the applied picloram than 2,4-D was absorbed in all treatments. Translocation of 14 C of both 2,4-D and picloram was greater when (a) upper and lower leaves were removed, (b) upper leaves only were removed, and (c) lower leaves only were removed than (d) when plants were intact. Removal of lower (older) leaves reduced translocation more than removal of upper (younger) leaves.