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Growth Regulation and Other Secondary Effects ofHerbicides

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Edivaldo D. Velini*
Affiliation:
UNESP—Universidade Estadual, College of Agronomic Sciences, Botucatu, Brazil
Maria L. B. Trindade
Affiliation:
UNESP—Universidade Estadual, College of Agronomic Sciences, Botucatu, Brazil
Luis Rodrigo M. Barberis
Affiliation:
UNESP—Universidade Estadual, College of Agronomic Sciences, Botucatu, Brazil
Stephen O. Duke
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS, Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, P.O. Box 8048, University, MS 38677
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: velini@fca.unesp.br

Abstract

As all herbicides act on pathways or processes crucial to plants, in aninhibitory or stimulatory way, low doses of any herbicide might be used tobeneficially modulate plant growth, development, or composition. Glyphosate,the most used herbicide in the world, is widely applied at low rates toripen sugarcane. Low rates of glyphosate also can stimulate plant growth(this effect is called hormesis). When applied at recommended rates for weedcontrol, glyphosate can inhibit rust diseases in glyphosate-resistant wheatand soybean. Fluridone blocks carotenoid biosynthesis by inhibition ofphytoene desaturase and is effective in reducing the production of abscisicacid in drought-stressed plants. Among the acetolactate synthase inhibitors,sulfometuron-methyl is widely used to ripen sugarcane and imidazolinones canbe used to suppress turf species growth. The application ofprotoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors can trigger plant defenses againstpathogens. Glufosinate, a glutamine synthetase inhibitor, is also known toimprove the control of plant diseases. Auxin agonists (i.e., dicamba and2,4-D) are effective, low-cost plant growth regulators. Currently, auxinagonists are still used in tissue cultures to induce somatic embryogenesisand to control fruit ripening, to reduce drop of fruits, to enlarge fruitsize, or to extend the harvest period in citrus orchards. At low doses,triazine herbicides stimulate growth through beneficial effects on nitrogenmetabolism and through auxin-like effects. Thus, sublethal doses of severalherbicides have applications other than weed control.

Information

Type
Symposium
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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