The effects of DDT, chlordane, and benzene hexachloride upon germination growth and nodulation of red clover Trifolium Pratense Linn

• Main Author: Randall, Armand Peter
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2012
• Subjects: Plants > Nutrition
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/41078

Studies were conducted at the University of British Columbia during the fall of 1950 to ascertain the effect of varied soil concentration of DDT, Chlordane and Benzene hexachloride upon the growth and nodulation of red clover. The study was divided into two phases: (a) the effect of these insecticides upon clover seed germination, (b) the effect of soil applications of these residual insecticides upon red clover growth and nodule formation. Analyses of the germination and harvest data showed that stimulation of red clover occurred within a limited range and plant injury at higher toxicant concentrations. Significant growth and yield differences occurred between insecticide treatments and between dosage treatments. Nodule formation occurred on all of the plants but the distribution and size of the nodules were affected by the concentrations of the insecticides in the soil. Chemical analyses of the clover plants showed that the nitrogen and phosphorus content of the foliage was unaffected by the presence of high concentrations of DDT, Chlordane or Benzene hexachloride in the soil. The potassium content, however, appeared to be affected by DDT. Biological analyses of the clover plants failed to show any signs of translocation of the insecticides from the roots into the foliage. === Land and Food Systems, Faculty of === Graduate