Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 January 2017
Aminocyclopyrachlor (AMCP) is a synthetic auxin herbicide used for broadleafweed control in pasture and rangeland. The tolerance and fate of AMCP withinpertinent grass species is not well understood. Research was conducted toestablish the tolerance of four grass species to AMCP application andobserve their absorption, translocation, and metabolism. Results indicatethat tall fescue is the most tolerant of AMCP at rates required for weedcontrol. Bahiagrass and bermudagrass are marginally tolerant, and cogongrassis the most sensitive. Tall fescue and bahiagrass absorbed more AMCP thanbermudagrass and cogongrass, but cogongrass absorption is the most rapid andcomplete within 2 days after treatment (DAT). Cogongrass and bermudagrasstranslocated the least amount out of the target area, whereas bahiagrass andtall fescue translocated the most. Radioisotope imaging revealed that tallfescue may sequester absorbed AMCP in leaf tips. This sequestering may bethe basis of the greater tolerance to AMCP by tall fescue relative to theother species evaluated. No metabolism of AMCP was detected in any grassspecies out to 42 DAT.