Rapid chlorophyll fluorescence technique for the study of penetration of photosynthetically active herbicides into leaf tissue

Abstract

Summary A rapid and sensitive technique, involving analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence induction kinetics, for the study of the penetration of photosynthetically active herbicides into leaves is described. A range of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters are examined for wheat leaves treated with diuron in order to determine the most appropriate parameter to use in herbicide penetration studies. The usefulness of the technique is demonstrated by examination of the effect of a range of commercially available additives on diuron penetration in wheat leaves.