DURATION OF ZINC UPTAKE INHIBITION BY CHLORSULFURON IN WHEAT

The duration of inhibition of zinc uptake by chlorsulfuron was examined in wheat plants in a glasshouse experiment. Chlorsulfuron decreased shoot weight, root weight and zinc uptake. Plants that were treated with chlorsulfuron and adequately supplied with zinc partially recovered from root and shoot growth inhibition by 6 weeks and zinc uptake was recovering by 8 weeks. Plants that were seriously zinc deficient did not recover. In this experiment, potential grain yield was only reduced by chlorsulfuron when zinc supplies were inadequate. It is suggested that the recovery of plants from zinc deficiency may be the result of two processes; hydrolysis of chlorsulfuron with time removing constraints to root growth and functioning, and the release of root exudates from zinc deficient plants effective at mobilizing zinc from soil. In the field, chlorsulfuron is only likely to induce zinc deficiency and reduce yield in wheat where supplies of this trace element are marginal for growth.