Cellular responses in roots of bentgrass and bermudagrass to selected herbicides

Cellular responses in roots of Penncross creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) and Tifgreen bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) to selected herbicides were determined by a histological study. The most severe tissue abnormalities in Penncross bentgrass occurred following treatments of benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl- α, α, α-trifluoro-2 , 6-dinitro-p-toluidine) and terbutol (2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-tolyl methylcarbamate). Root cell damage in bentgrass was less severe with bandane (polychlorodicyclopentadiene isomers), bensulide [0,0-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzenesulfonamide], DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate) and siduron [1-(2-methylcyclohexyl) 3-phenylurea]. The most severe tissue malformations in Tifgreen bermudagrass resulted from DCPA, siduron and terbutol. Cellular damage in roots of bermudagrass was less severe from bandane and bensulide, and slight with benefin.