Uptake and Incorporation of 14C-labelled Maleic Hydrazide into the Roots of Salix viminalis.

Labelled maleic hydrazide (MH) was shown to be accumulated preferentially into the root-tips of young Willow roots by radiochemical analysis. A large proportion of the activity incorporated into the cell constituents was associated with RNA. MH was also bound in some way to the cell wall material. The greatest proportion of the activity was easily removed from the root tissue and thus probably occurred free within the cytoplasm and free-space. The incorporation of MH into RNA and its subsequent effects on cell metabolism via abnormal protein and enzyme synthesis is given as an explanation of the mode of action of MH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]