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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Some effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on absorption, translocation, and membrane permeability in plants

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The influence of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) on foliar absorption and translocation of herbicides and plant membrane permeability was investigated. Primary leaves of bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L., var. Black Valentine) were treated with ¹⁴C-labeled DMSO, 3,6-dicholoro-<u>o</u>-anisic acid (dicamba), 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium salt (paraquat) and 2-choloro-4(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-<u>s</u>-triazine (atrazine). DMSO at concentrations of 25% or more caused by varying degrees of acute toxicity. However, ¹⁴C was generally distributed throughout the plant 5 days after application of DMSO-¹⁴C, as determined by autoradiography and counting. DMSO, 30%, was not as effective as 0.25% Tween 80 (non-ionic surfactant containing polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) in enhancing the absorption and translocation of dicamba, a phloem-mobile herbicide. Tween 80 was more effective than DMSO in enhancing the foliar uptake of atrazine and distributing it within the treated leaves. The contact toxicity and apoplastic movement of paraquat was increased with DMSO. Spectrophotometric studies revealed the absorption spectrum of paraquat was shifted by addition of DMSO. Root uptake of KH₂³²PO₄ by corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L., var. VPI 646) was inhibited by 3% or higher DMSO. Treatments of DMSO reduced oxygen uptake in corn roots. DMSO failed to increase diffusion of labeled solutes through isolated plant cuticular membranes. In <i>Beta vulgaris</i> L. (beet) permeability studies, DMSO increased efflux of betanin from root cells. Combining atrazine with DMSO resulted in a greater increase in membrane permeability. Membrane permeability of corn mitochondria as determined by characteristic swelling and shrinkage was unaffected by DMSO.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.S.
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Plant Physiology
Department dc:contributor.department
Plant Physiology
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Year dc:date.issued
1970

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Jones, Donald W.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/101126
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/101126

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Jones, Donald W.. Some effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on absorption, translocation, and membrane permeability in plants. masters thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1970. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/101126