Susceptibility of Selected Crops to Simulated Imazethapyr Carryover: A Morpho-Anatomical Analysis

A bioassay study was conducted to determine the differences in the susceptibility of selected crops to simulated imazethapyr residues based on morphological and anatomical parameters. Sugar beet, white mustard, and rapeseed oil were found to be the most sensitive based on ED50 values for the root length and the root fresh weight. Corn and sunflower were less sensitive, and wheat was the least sensitive. The measured anatomical parameters confirmed the different sensitivities of the tested plants, as evidenced by a shortening of the meristem and elongation zones, a reduction in the distance between the root tip and the absorption zone, and the distance between the root tip and the point where the primordium of the lateral root appears. An imazethapyr residue level equivalent to ED20 (for root length) did not cause serious morphological changes in the less sensitive plants, nor did it cause significant changes in the length of the root cap, the beginning of the root absorption zone (root hair region), the beginning of lateral root formation (i.e., the permanent region), and the number of root primordia per root length. Therefore, ED20 could be proposed as an acceptable residue level (ARL) or herbicide residue level at which these plants can be safely sown.