The field of herbicides and phytotoxicity continues to command the widespread interest of workers in all parts of the world. In spite of the fact that this subject was fully reviewed by Norman et al. (209) in the previous volume, the present review contains more than 300 new references. With such a volume of work ranging over the many subjects relating to the study of phytotoxicity it is almost inevitable when the joint authors work in dif ferent laboratories that there be some dichotomy in the preparation. In con sequence, the first auther has been most concerned with the dinitro-alkyl phenols and general aspects of phytotoxicity (Part I) and the other two authors with plant growth regulators (Part II). In spite of the striking developments in the production of new herbicides in the last decade and their extensive application in agricultural practice, the general approach is still empirical, involving a high degree of speculation in the selection or synthesis of possible new compounds, followed by trial and error tests in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field. At the present time, progress is still rapid, but there is no doubt that it wilJ be further accelerated when the principles of toxic action are better understood. Mitchell ( 196) has discussed the importance of physiological studies, while it has been empha sized in a recent review [Blackman (28)] that the analysis of selective toxicity demands integrated studies of the main factors which may operate. Selective action may not only involve differences in toxicity at the cell level but also differences in the quantities reaching the site of toxic action. These amounts, in turn, will be dependent on differences in root absorption, retention by the shoot, penetration into the plant, transport within the plant, and variations in localised accumulation.
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BLACKMAN et al. (1951) studied this question.