INHIBITION OF TILLERING IN CEREALS BY SUBSTITUTED 2-PHENOXYPROPIONIC ACIDS

The properties of various mono- and di-substituted analogues of 2-phenoxypropionic acid as inhibitors of tillering were investigated on wheat, barley and rice. Highest levels of activity were shown by (R)2-Cl,5-Cl, (R)2-Cl,5-F, and (R)2-Cl,5-methyl analogues. Few or no signs of phytotoxic effects (leaf chlorosis or necrosis) were evident on wheat or barley following spray application of these compounds. Rice was both more susceptible to inhibition of tillering and phytotoxic effects. However, almost complete inhibition of tillering was achieved by application of some compounds to rice with little or no phytotoxicity. Comparisons were made between the properties of these compounds and commercially used phenoxyacetic and phenoxypropionic herbicides and plant growth regulators. Dichlorprop inhibited tillering in rice, fenoprop in wheat and rice, and fluroxypyr in wheat, all without phytotoxic effects.