(2-Cliloyoethyl)trimethylammonium Chloride 



781 



Effect on Growth of Wheat 



When wheat seedlings were treated with one application of either 

 of the three most active derivatives, they grew with much shorter 

 and thicker stems than untreated plants (Table 1) (5). An example of 

 this type of growth is shown in Figure 1. The treated plants were 

 darker green in appearance; this greening phenomenon was particu- 

 larly noticeable after treating tomato and tobacco plants (6). Leaves 

 of the treated wheat plants were shorter in length and broader. There 

 was no decrease in fresh, wet weight of wheat plants after soil treat- 

 ments of lO-^M or less, but higher concentrations of the chemical re- 

 duced total plant growth. Tillering of treated plants occurred shortly 

 after treatment rather than later during maturation of untreated 

 plants. The tillers developed and headed at about the same rate as 

 the main stalk and produced the appearance of a more bushy plant. 

 At maturity there was more uniformity in height of the treated plants, 

 and heading in the treated plants occurred several days later than in 

 the controls. Thus, wheat plants treated with (2-chloroethyl)trimethyl- 

 ammonium chloride developed into sturdier, shorter, and bushier 

 plants. 



Effect on Growth of Tomatoes 



Growth and fruiting of tomatoes have been extensively tested with 

 the three most active derivatives (6). Best growth results have been 

 obtained with (2,3-n-propylene)trimethylammonium bromide, though 

 the halogenated compounds were also very active. Plants grew short 

 and sturdy with intensely green leaves and stems that were thicker 



Table 1 . Length of 'Thatcher' wheat plants 

 after soil treatment with (2-chloroethyl)trimethyl- 

 ammonium chloride. * 



* Twenty 'Thatcher' wheat seedlings in 8-inch 

 pots of sand and loam soil were treated by pour- 

 ing 500 ml. of solution of the chemical on the soil 

 at 1 1 days after planting. The second leaf vvas 

 visible at time of treatment. See text for descrip- 

 tion of the measurement of the plant height. 



