Bioassay Indicates a Metabolite of Hexazinone Affects Photosynthesis of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)

The effects of hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4 (1H, 3H)-dione] and its metabolites, A [3-(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4 (1H,3H)-dione], B [3-cyclohexyl-6-(methylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4 (1H,3H)-dione], C [3-(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)-6-(methylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4 (1H,3H)-dione], D [3-cyclohexyl-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6 (1H, 3H,5H)-trione], and E [3-(4-hydroxycy clohexyl)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6 (1H,3H,5H)-trione], on photosynthesis of loblolly pine primary needle segments were studied using a bioassay technique. Hexazinone, at concentrations equal to or greater than 1.0 × 10-6M, inhibited photosynthesis, while 1.0 × 10-8M and 1.0 × 10-7M concentrations increased photosynthesis. Metabolite B at 1.0 × 10-4M also inhibited photosynthesis. Metabolites A, C, D, and E did not affect photosynthesis at 1.0 × 10-4in pine needle segments. The bioassay proved simple and useful for determining effects of certain herbicides and metabolites on photosynthesis.