lactofen

Lactofen is a selective herbicide in the diphenyl ether chemical class, used primarily in field crops to control broadleaf weeds. It is the active ingredient in several postemergence products formulated for soybean and peanut production.

Mechanism of action: Lactofen inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) in plant cells. Inhibition leads to accumulation of phototoxic porphyrins when exposed to light, causing rapid lipid peroxidation, membrane damage, and tissue necrosis in treated weeds.

Applications: It is applied postemergence to actively growing weeds, offering control of annual broadleaf species such as pigweeds, morningglory, lambsquarters, and velvetleaf. Crop tolerance depends on species and cultivar; following label rates and timing is essential to minimize crop injury and off-target effects.

Safety and environmental aspects: Lactofen can be toxic to aquatic organisms and may injure crops if misapplied or drift occurs. It is regulated as a pesticide in many jurisdictions, with required protective measures for handlers and specific restrictions on usage, storage, and disposal.

Environmental fate and regulation: Lactofen degrades in soil through microbial action and photolysis, with persistence varying by environmental conditions. Residue levels in harvested crops are regulated, and pre-harvest intervals and withdrawal times are specified on product labels.