Relation of lenacil metabolism with growth inhibition of acer pseudoplatanus cell suspension

Abstract The action of lenacil, a herbicide which inhibits photosynthesis, was studied on Acer pseudoplatanus cell suspensions. The compound was quickly and thoroughly metabolized by cells into two major chloroform-extractable metabolites, but cell growth was temporarily inhibited while some cells were killed. As cell suspensions were non-photosynthetic, the data suggest that lenacil has site(s) of action other than that of photosynthesis. However, as the effects on photosynthesis occur at much lower concentrations (Hilton et al., Weeds, 12 (1964) 129), the effects on cell growth may be considered as secondary.