Growth Retardant Response of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Woody Plants to Injections of MBR 18337

The growth retardant activity of MBR 18337 {N-[4-(ethylthio)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-methanesulfonamide} was determined by injection into bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Black Valentine’), California privet seedlings (Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk.), and saplings of white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.). Height and leaf expansion of bean were inhibited by 8 μg of MBR 18337 per plant in growth chamber studies. Sprout growth of California privet grown in the greenhouse was inhibited for 92 days by 80 μg of MBR 18337 per tree, and the growth in the field of ash and maple saplings was retarded by 3.2 mg of MBR 18337 per tree for an entire growing season with little injury. Radioassays for 14C-MBR 18337 indicated rapid translocation of 14C-activity in privet from the lower stem to the region of the apical shoot. More than 80% of the MBR 18337 in the xylem and phloem was oxidized within 14 days.