The Effect of the Herbicide Dichlorophen on the Physiology and Growth of Two Bryophytes

Dichlorophen (2, 2'-methylene-bis(4 chlorophenol)) has beenused frequently as a commercial eradicates of bryophytes. Usingthe moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and the thalloid liverwortMarchantia polymorpha, it has been shown that dichlorophen inducesloss of intracellular potassium and magnesium, inhibits photosynthesisand, depending on concentration, either stimulates or depressesthe production of CO₂ in the dark, suggesting that death maybe caused by membrane damage. Sensitivity of the moss appearsto be related to the age of the tissue but to be unaffectedby light before, during or after exposure. Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Marchantia polymorpha, dichlorophen, membrane damage, inhibition of growth, photosynthesis and respiration