Pendimethalin
Pendimethalin is a selective herbicide of the dinitroaniline class used preëmergently and postemergently to control annual grasses and certain broadleaf weeds. It inhibits cell division and cell elongation. Pendimethalin is approved in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania for different crops including cereals, corn, soybeans, rice, potato, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, plus lawns and ornamental plants.
Use
Pendimethalin protects crops like wheat, corn, soybeans, potatoes, cabbage, peas, carrots, and asparagus. It controls annual grasses and certain broadleaf weeds which interfere with growth, yield and quality of crops by competing for nutrients, water and light.Where weed infestation is particularly bad, yield loss can render wheat production uneconomical. Many other crops are grown in Europe that make a fraction of total agriculture. Herbicide options are limited for these minor crops, particularly in the vegetable sector. Long-term field studies call pendimethalin efficient for controlling blackgrass.
The related herbicide profluralin is more effective against johnsongrass than pendimethalin.
In 2012, of pendimethalin was used in the US.
Mode of action
Pendimethalin acts pre-weed-emergence and early post-emergence. Pendimethalin is absorbed into roots and shoots, inhibits cell division and prevents growth, to prevent weeds from emerging.The HRAC classifies by mode of action; pendimethalin is listed as Group K1,, AKA Group D or Group 3.
Possible carcinogenic effects
At least one study suggests pendimethalin exposure is associated with pancreatic cancer.A French study found no association with lung cancer.
The mechanism behind this purported increased risk is unknown, but pendimethalin exposure appears to reduce apoptosis in cultured tumor cells.