Dikamba

Dikamba is a selective herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds in various agricultural and non-agricultural settings. It belongs to the benzoic acid class of herbicides and is typically formulated as a liquid concentrate. Dikamba works by mimicking plant hormones, causing uncontrolled growth and eventual death in susceptible weed species. It is often applied to crops like soybeans, corn, and sorghum, as well as to non-crop areas such as lawns and rights-of-way.

The effectiveness of dikamba is influenced by factors such as temperature, soil moisture, and the growth stage of both the target weeds and the crop. It can be applied post-emergence, meaning after the crop and weeds have emerged from the soil. Over-the-top applications are common in genetically modified crops engineered for dikamba tolerance.

Concerns have been raised regarding off-target movement and drift of dikamba, which can damage sensitive neighboring crops and plants. This has led to specific application guidelines and restrictions in many regions to minimize potential harm. Its persistence in soil is generally short, with breakdown occurring through microbial activity and photolysis.