Translocation and metabolism of the fungicide metalaxyl in rangpur lime seedlings

Abstract

¹⁴C-metalaxyl was applied to leaves of two and six month-old Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia Osb.) seedlings. In a basal foliar application, 85% of the fungicide remained in the applied leaves, though translocation was verified ta upper leaves, stems and roots. When metalaxyl was applied in upper leaves only traces of radiocarbon were detected in roots and stems. After 30 days in the two-and six-month old plants, 70% of the radiocarbon corresponded to the applied fungicide. Metalaxyl was degraded in leave tissues ta N-(2-methoxyacetil)-N-(2,6-xylyl)-DL-alanine and two others unidentified metabolites. Polar compounds were also detected. Only 1.5% of the radiocarbon was detected as bound residue, not extracted by the acetone extraction.