Alachlor

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Overview

Alachlor is an herbicide from the chloroacetanilide family. Its mode of action is elongase inhibition, and inhibition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) cyclisation enzymes, part of the gibberellin pathway.

Uses

It is marketed under the trade names Alanex, Bronco, Cannon, Crop Star, Intrro, Lariat, Lasso, Micro-Tech, and Partner. It mixes well with other herbicides, and is found in mixed formulations with atrazine, glyphosate, trifluralin, and imazaquin. It is used mainly to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in corn (maize), soybeans, and peanuts. ^[1][2]

It is most commonly avaiable as microgranules containing 15% a.i., or emulsifiable concentrate containing 480g / litre of a.i. Homologuation in Europe requires a maximum dose of 2,400g per hectare of a.i., or 5 litres / hectare of emulsifiable concentrate or 17kg / ha of microgranules. The products are applied as either pre-drilling, soil incorporated, or pre-emergence.^[3]

Safety

The United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies the herbicide as toxicity class III - slightly toxic.^[4] The EPA has described the following effects when exposed to levels above the maximum contaminant level (MCL): slight skin and eye irritation; at lifetime exposure to levels above the MCL: potential damage to liver, kidney, spleen; lining of nose and eyelids; cancer.^[5]

See also

• Acetochlor
• Metolachlor

References