IMAZAQUIN ABSORPTION, TRANSLOCATION, AND METABOLISM IN FLUE-CURED TOBACCO

Absorption of C-14-imazaquin by leaves of field-grown flue-cured tobac co was similar when applied to young seedlings immediately after trans planting or to plants 3 wk after transplanting. The distribution of C- 14 in treated leaves indicated that 40% was absorbed, 54% remained in water extracts of leaf surfaces, and 6% was found in the epicuticular wax layer 8 d after treatment. Translocation of the herbicide from tre ated leaves to roots was very low (4 to 5%). In contrast, soil applica tions of imazaquin and subsequent uptake by roots resulted in retentio n of 40 to 53% in roots and translocation of 47 to 60% to shoots after 8 d. Analyses of methanol-soluble extracts of C-14 indicated that mor e than 77% of the foliar-applied herbicide was metabolized in roots an d upper shoots after 2 d. Similarly, 64% or more of the imazaquin was degraded in roots and shoots 2 d after root absorption.