Effects of plant growth regulators on levels of phorate and aldicarb in soybeans.

Mixtures of herbicides and plant growth regulators with other pesticides are becoming increasingly important in crop production. Whether the chemicals are applied as physical mixtures or used consecutively, it is reasonable to expect that more than one chemical will exist in the plant simultaneously. Thus, an opportunity exists for interaction among the chemicals applied. Interactions in terms of plant response have been noted for herbicide-insecticide mixtures (Bowling and Hudgins, 1966; Hacskaylo et al., 1964). A number of in vitro studies have indicated that several herbicide-insecticide combinations show metabolic interactions (Chang et al., 1971a,b). Little is known about the influence of plant growth regulators on systemic insecticides when these chemicals are present together in the plant. This study was initiated to determine the effects of a wide range of plant growth regulators on the uptake and metabolism of phorate and aldicarb in soybeans under greenhouse conditions.