| Title: | Capped polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids as novel active principles for weed control |
| Author(s): | Campos J; Verdeguer M; Baur P; |
| Address: | "Global Innovation & Technology, Clariant, Industrial Park Hoechst, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Instituto Agroforestal Mediterraneo, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain. CropPromotion Advice, Schondorf am Ammersee, Germany" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1526-4998 (Electronic) 1526-498X (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Ever since the beginning of agriculture, yields have been threatened by weeds. Chemical weed control is far more effective and economical than other methods. The frequent use of herbicides has led to environmental and human health concerns, resulting in the banning of several herbicides and challenges for the future of important active compounds such as glyphosate. RESULTS: The herbicidal activity of sustainable alternatives based on certain esters of fatty acids (FA), the action of which is unrelated to the free acid, on common weeds is assessed and reported. The 13 derivatives of FA showed better physicochemical properties than pelargonic acid-based herbicides. All the reported compounds have phytotoxic activity, the highest efficacy being displayed by the methyl end-capped polyethylene glycol (mPEG) ester of pelargonic acid having 6EO (ethylene oxide). This mPEG ester showed equal or better phytotoxicity than the pelargonic acid benchmark at reduced application rate and spray volume. The active compound is a liquid at ambient temperatures, has no bad smell and is not volatile, in contrast to pelargonic acid. Notably, this active compound can be the final product, can be sprayed without adjuvants and is relatively easy to co-formulate. CONCLUSION: A new lead substance is presented that is a sustainable alternative to current contact herbicides. In particular, it has potential application on railways, in precision agriculture and as a harvest aid. Its good performance and technical properties suggest this mPEG ester group may also overcome the volatility-related problems of other organic acids such as auxins. (c) 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry" |
| Keywords: | Esters Fatty Acids Herbicide Resistance *Herbicides/pharmacology Humans Plant Weeds Polyethylene Glycols *Weed Control Pelargonic acid contact herbicide fatty acid derivatives natural herbicides non-toxic herbicide novel herbicide; |
| Notes: | "MedlineCampos, Javier Verdeguer, Mercedes Baur, Peter eng England 2021/06/07 Pest Manag Sci. 2021 Oct; 77(10):4648-4657. doi: 10.1002/ps.6505. Epub 2021 Jun 22" |
