VIEW ARTICLE

Distribution and Metabolism of Methyl 2-Benzimidazolecarbamate, the Fungitoxic Derivative of Benomyl, in Strawberry Plants. Malcolm R. Siegel, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506; Phytopathology 63:890-896. Accepted for publication 23 January 1973. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-890.

The distribution and metabolism of methyl 2-benzimidazolecarbamate (MBC) was studied in strawberry plants grown in Hoagland’s solution and root-treated with ¹⁴C fungicide. There was little accumulation of label in mature fruit when plants were treated either prior to, or at the start of, flower initiation. When non-fruiting plants were treated, the label accumulated in the roots and foliage produced before and during the treatment period. Much less label was found in the foliage produced after cessation of treatment. While MBC and 2-aminobenzimidazole (2-AB) were present in both root and foliage tissue of treated plants, MBC was most concentrated in the foliage. The amount of ¹⁴C MBC in whole plants treated for 36 and 88 days was 54 and 32%, respectively. The amount of 2-AB was 10-18% for the same period. The remaining label (36-58%) was in unidentified metabolites which were either water-soluble or bound to the residue produced after exhaustive organic solvent extraction. Analysis of the unidentified water-soluble metabolites suggested that conjugation of the benzimidazole nucleus occurred. The data indicate that, although MBC is more extensively metabolized in strawberry plants than in other species, the benzimidazole nucleus appears to be relatively stable to degradation in strawberry plants.