Abstract
AMONG their recent studies of the chemistry and mode of action of plant growth-substances, Wain and his co-workers1 have demonstrated that a β-oxidation system exists in certain plants, whereby usually inert formulations of certain ω-phenoxyalkyl carboxylic acids may be broken down in the plant to the active acetic derivative. Since this is an enzymatic reaction, there seems no reason why such oxidation should not take place in all classes of plants ; but the examples so far described belong to the Angiosperms. It is therefore of interest to note that positive growth reactions have been shown by young plants of the common bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) when treated with γ-(2 : 4-dichloro-phenoxy)butyric acid (2 : 4-D.B.).
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References
Fawcett, C. H., Ingram, J. M. A., and Wain, R. L., Nature, 170, 887 (1952); Proc. Roy. Soc., B, 142, 60 (1954). Wain, R. L., and Wightman, F., Proc. Roy. Soc., B, 142, 525 (1954). Wain, R. L., Proc. British Weed Control Conf., 2, 311 (1954). Fawcett, C. H., Seeley, R. C., Taylor, F., Wain, R. L., and Wightman, F., Nature, 176, 1026 (1955).
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CONWAY, E. Effects of Gamma-(2 : 4-Dichlorophenoxy)-butyric Acid on Sporelings of Bracken. Nature 177, 1088–1089 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/1771088a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1771088a0
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