EFFECT OF TRIFLURALIN AND METRIBUZIN ON FABA BEAN GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND SYMBIOTIC NITROGEN FIXATION

Field studies were conducted to determine if trifluralin [α,α,α-trifluro-2,6,-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine] and metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-a5-triazin-5(4H)one] affect the growth and nitrogen self sufficiency of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Metribuzin applied at 0.42 kg/ha as a pre-plant incorporated treatment resulted in substantial crop injury in 1981. Compared to the inoculated control, overall reductions averaged over the entire growing season, in plant dry weight, nodule dry weight, nitrogenase activity, and yield due to metribuzin were 59, 85, 92, and 65%, respectively. In 1982 metribuzin at 0.4 kg/ha was not as phytotoxic. Averaged over the season, the reductions recorded in plant dry weight, nodule dry weight, nitrogenase activity, and yield were 25, 33, 49, and 9%, respectively. The differences in phytotoxicity in the 2 yr at the two sites were attributed to differences in soil organic matter, and both the degree and timing of rainfall. During both years trifluralin did not ...