Fluchloralin
Fluchloralin is a preëmergent dinitroaniline herbicide, introduced in 1972, and used to control broad-leaved weeds and annual grasses. It is used in India. In other countries, it might be considered obsolete. 71 tonnes of fluchloralin was sold in India in fiscal year 2009–2010. Basalin was registered in the US in 1975 as "Basalin", whose registration expired in 1986.
The USGS estimates fluchloralin use in the US to be 50,000 to 250,000 pounds in 1994, with no usage after 1995.
Mechanism
Fluchloralin's resistance class is D, K1 or 3 ; its mode of action is inhibition of microtubule formation. Since it is incorporated into the top 1-2 inches of soil, germinating weeds grow up and contact fluchloralin.Fluchloralin seems to affect cells during metaphase most. Applied to sunflower and flax, the germination rate and the plants' cells' mitotic index decreased, and the rate of chromosomal abnormality increased.
Environmental behaviour
It can persist for 3 to 6 months in soil, with a half-life of 12 to 46 days, variable with temperature and soil type. In water, photolysis degrades it rapidly, with a half life of half an hour. The 24 hour LC50 in fish is 0.027 mg/L.Zebrafish exposed to fluchloralin during embryogenesis showed inhibited neurogenesis in the nervous system, reduced length and dysfunction of the heart, liver and pancreas. At high concentrations, of 20 mg/L and above, fluchloralin has a genotoxic effect on human lymphocytes.
Fluchloralin is cometabolised by microörganisms in sewage, as are nitrofen, trifluralin and profluralin; i.e. enzymes from other active metabolic processes also break up these chemicals. Over 88 days, fluchloralin levels reduced by 91% under aerobic conditions. Discontinuous anaerobic conditions made little difference, with a 95% reduction. Fluchloralin had 12 identified metabolites.
Usage
It has been sold as a 45% emulsifiable concentrate, and applied at rates of 0.75 to 1.5 kg/ha of active ingredient.Fluchloralin can be applied up to six or eight weeks before sowing, but must be incorporated into soil within a day of application. If treated soil is then removed, or furrowed too deeply, untreated soil can be exposed and allow weed growth.
Fluchloralin has been used on peas, beans, cotton, okra, sunflowers, soybean and peanuts.