Summary
The addition of initially poisonous amounts of the herbicide 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) to non-sterilized soil enhances the ultimate emergence percentage from cress seeds, if these are sown some time after the DNOC treatment of the soil.
DNOC is removed from soil mainly by microbial activities.
The increase in the emergence percentage cannot be ascribed to a stimulation, exerted either by DNOC in any concentration or by some breakdown product of DNOC.
The ultimate emergence percentage of cress seedlings in sterilized soil surpasses that in non-sterilized soil.
It is suggested that the more complete emergence after DNOC addition to non-sterilized soil is due to a partial sterilization of the soil by DNOC, advantages of which remain preserved after removal of the DNOC by the remainder of the microflora.
The consequences of this view for an explanation of the yield-increasing effect of DNOC spraying in agriculture are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blackman, G. E., Templeman, W. G. and Halliday, D. J., Herbicides and selective phytotoxicity. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol.2, 199–230 (1951).
Dagley, S. and Stopher, D. A., A new mode of fission of the benzene nucleus by bacteria. Biochem. J.73, 16 pp. (1959).
Dobben, W. H. van, De invloed van DNC-bespuitingen op de groeiwijze van winter-rogge (with summary). Verslag Centr. Inst. Landbouwk. Onderz. Wageningen1955, 133–141 (1956).
Fernley, H. N. and Evans, W. C., Metabolism of 2: 4-dichloro-phenoxy acetic acid by soil Pseudomonas. Biochem. J.73, 22 pp. (1959).
French, R. C. and Beevers, H., Respiratory and growth responses induced by growth regulators and allied compounds. Am. J. Botany40, 660–666 (1953).
Gundersen, K. and Jensen, H. L., A soil bacterium decomposing organic nitrocompounds. Acta Agr. Scand.6, 100–114 (1956).
Humphreys, T. E. and Dugger, W. M., Effect of 2,4-D and DNP on the uptake and metabolism of oxygenous substrates by corn roots. Plant Physiol.34, 112–116 (1959).
Jensen, H. L. and Petersen, H. I., Decomposition of hormone herbicides by bacteria. Acta Agr. Scand.2, 215–231 (1952).
Kikal, T. and Smith, J. N., Comparative detoxication. 6. The metabolism of 6-amino-4-nitro-o-cresol and DNOC in locusts. Biochem. J.71, 48–54 (1959).
Lott, J. R. and Rosene, H. F., Effects of 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol on water influx and oxygen uptake of excised onion roots. Am. J. Botany43, 69–72 (1956).
Parker, V. H., A method for the routine estimation of 3:5-dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC). The Analyst74, 646–647 (1949).
Parker, V. H., The effect of 3: 5-dinitro-o-cresol on phosphocreatine and the adenosine phosphate compounds of rat tissues. Biochem. J.57, 381–386 (1954).
Riepma, P. Kzn., De reactie van granen op herbiciden in afhankelijkhed van het groeistadium (with summary). Gestencilde Mededel. Centr. Inst. Landbouwk. Onderz. Wageningen no.11 (1953).
Riepma, P. Kzn., De reactie van granen en peulvruchten op kleurstoffen (with summary). Mededel. Landbouwhogeschool en Opzoekingsstas. Staat Gent19, 451–456 (1954).
Riepma, P. Kzn., De werking van DNC via de grond. Mededel. Landbouwhogeschool en Opzoekingsstas. Staat Gent21, 619–629 (1956).
Riepma, P. Kzn., Watergebruik, zoutopname en groei van planten onder invloed van DNC in de voedingsoplossing. Mededel. Landbouwhogeschool en Opzoekingsstas. Staat Gent23, 950–958 (1958).
Smith, J. N., Smithies, R. H. and Williams, R. T., Studies in detoxication. 48. Urinary metabolites of 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol in the rabbit. Biochem. J.54, 225–230 (1953).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bruinsma, J. The action of 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) in soil. Plant Soil 12, 249–258 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01343652
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01343652