Effects of adjuvants and environment during plant development on glyphosate absorption and translocation in field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Absorption and translocation of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] with and without adjuvants were examined in field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L. # CONAR) to develop an understanding of the influence of selected adjuvants and environment before application on glyphosate activity. Light intensity and humidity during plant development resulted in differences in 14C-glyphosate absorption. When applied in water or with an oxysorbic (20 POE) (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate) adjuvant, an average of 9% of the glyphosate was absorbed in plants grown in high light intensity, low humidity (HLLH) before treatment, compared to an average of 21% in plants grown in low light, high humidity (LLHH) before treatment, respectively. Amounts of epicuticular wax on HLLH field bindweed were almost three times as great as on LLHH leaves and may explain absorption differences. No differences in glyphosate absorption were observed between glyphosate applied with oxysorbic or no adjuvant even though the oxysorbic adjuvant effectively reduces surface tension. Absorption was increased two- to threefold with a polyethoxylated tallow amine adjuvant (MON 0818) compared to no adjuvant. Unlike absorption without adjuvant or with oxysorbic adjuvant, there were few absorption differences in plants grown in different environments before application. Absorption continued for 24 to 36 h after application regardless of adjuvant. Reductions in MON 0818 concentration and subsequent necrosis resulted in increased movement of radioactivity away from the site of application.