Abstracts Biological Sciences

The influence of selected environmental factors on diuron toxicity to winter wheat

by Wylie Buress Homesley

Previous work has shown that diuron (3-(3, 4- dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea) is less toxic to fall-planted wheat than to wheat planted in the spring. Diuron has been a significant factor in increasing yields of winter wheat grown in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The influence of several selected environmental factors on diuron toxicity to Nugaines winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were observed. Glasshouse, field and growth chamber studies were conducted using Chehalis loamy sand. Wheat grown in water temperature baths indicated that soil temperature had an important influence on diuron toxicity. Plants grown at 20 C were injured more severely than at 5 C soil temperature. Two intensities were used to study the effects of light in a range from 400 to 1600 ft-c. In these experiments strict control of other environmental factors was not achieved, but evidence was obtained that increased injury from diuron occurs with increased light intensity. Injury symptoms occurred earlier and were more severe under the higher intensities. In another study, plants were kept under 1000 ft-c light until minor symptoms developed. When one-half of these plants were exposed to eight hours of full sunlight almost complete chlorosis was observed in diuron-treated plants. No visible change occurred in treated plants left in the growth chamber. This study indicated that sunlight has an effect other than its influence on transpiration rate in causing injury to wheat. Soil moisture at the time of diuron application was studied in a glasshouse. Treated plants grown in soil which was wet when sprayed were not different from those grown in soil which was dry when sprayed and then watered. Fertility experiments produced conflicting results. In one, increased fertility increased injury. In another, experimental plants receiving one rate of complete fertilizer had less injury than plants receiving twice this rate or those receiving no added fertility. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship of fertility level to diuron toxicity. Wheat grown in a glasshouse in soil maintained at field capacity was injured more by diuron than when the soil was maintained below field capacity. No difference in injury was found between plants grown in soil maintained at 70 or 85% field capacity. A field experiment was conducted to see what effect date of planting would have on pre-emergence applications of diuron to Nugaines wheat. Excessive injury occurred at all rates used. Less injury occurred to wheat following pre-emergence application of diuron in a late fall than in an early fall development. The resistance of Nugaines, a new variety, to diuron was compared in a glasshouse to the resistance of a standard variety, Druchamp. Nugaines was injured more by diuron than Druchamp. In a soil placement study, diuron was found to be taken up through the roots with little or no uptake through the emerging coleoptile. Herbicide effectiveness varied with closeness to seed. A narrow band of herbicide placed just…