Table 2.2-4. Characteristics of preemergence herbicides.

Table 2.2-4. Characteristics of preemergence herbicides.
Herbicide¹ Family Mode of action Site of action Injury symptoms Weeds Controlled Residual² Common Causes of Failure/Injury
  1. See Table 2.2-1 for additional products containing these active ingredients.
  2. Residual: N = no soil activity; S = one or two weeks soil activity; M = one or two months; L = full season, may carry over under certain conditions or if misapplied. Residual activity is dependent upon rate, soil type, and environmental conditions.
atrazine Triazine Photosynthesis inhibitor D-1 quinone protein Interveinal yellowing and necrosis of older leaves Annual broadleaves and certain grasses L Triazine-resistant weeds; pH below 6.0; tolerant species such as fall panicum; lack of rain to activate
Axiom (flufenacet + metribuzin) Oxyacetamide + triazine Seedling growth inhibitor + photosynthesis inhibitor Multiple + D-1 quinone protein Looping of grass leaves at emergence; interveinal yellowing and necrosis of older leaves Annual grasses and broadleaves M Lack of rain to activate emerged weeds at time of application; triazine-resistant weeds; crop injury due to adverse environment
Balance (isoxaflutole) Isoxazole Pigment inhibitor HPPD enzyme Chlorotic, whitened plant tissue Annual broadleaves, some grasses M Lack of rain to activate; poor seed burial and soil types; cool/wet conditions increase chance of crop injury
Callisto (mesotrione) Callistemone Pigment inhibitor HPPD enzyme Chlorotic, whitened plant tissue Annual broadleaves M Lack of rain to activate; interactions with certain OP insecticides will cause crop injury
Define (flufenacet) Oxyacetamide Seedling growth inhibitor Multiple Looping of grass leaves at emergence Annual grasses M Lack of rain to activate; emerged weeds at time of application; crop injury due to adverse weather conditions
Dual (metolachlor) Chloroacetamide Seedling growth inhibitor (shoot) Multiple Looping of grass leaves at emergence Annual grasses and certain broadleaves M Lack of rain to activate surface appliation; emerged weeds at time of application; tolerant species
Eradicane (EPTC) Thiocarbamate Seedling growth inhibitor (shoot) Multiple Looping and knotting of grass leaves at emergence Annual grasses, shattercane, seedling johnsongrass M Poor or delayed incorporation; cool, wet soils; Johnsongrass rhizomes not broken by tillage
Harness / Degree or Surpass / Topnotch (acetochlor) Chloroacetamide Seedling growth inhibitor (shoot) Multiple Looping of grass leaves at emergence Annual grasses and certain broadleaves M Lack of rain to activate surface applications; emerged weeds at time of application, tolerant species
Lorox (linuron) Urea Photosynthesis inhibitor D-1 quinone protein Interveinal yellowing and necrosis of older leaves Annual broadleaves and certain grasses M Lack of rainfall to activate; too much rainfall causes leaching; tolerant species
Micro-tech (alachlor) Chloroacetamide Seedling growth inhibitor (shoot) Multiple Looping of grass leaves at emergence Annual grasses and certain broadleaves M Lack of rain to activate surface application; emerged weeds at time of application; certain species
Outlook (dimethenamid) Chloroacetamide Seedling growth inhibitor (shoot) Multiple Looping of grass leaves at emergence Annual grasses and certain broadleaves M Lack of rain to activate surface application; emerged weeds at time of application; certain species
Princep (simazine) Triazine Photosynthesis inhibitor D-1 quinone protein Interveinal yellowing and necrosis of older leaves Annual grasses and certain broadleaves L Lack of rain to activate; triazine-resistant weeds; pH below 6.0
Prowl (pendimethalin) Dinitroanline Seedling growth inhibitor (root) Protein Tubulin protein Stunted shoot growth; P deficiency symptoms; swollen roots Annual grasses and certain broadleaves M-L Poor seed burial resulting in crop injury; lack of rain to activate
Python (flumetsulam) Sulfonamide Amino acid biosynthesis inhibitor (protein) ALS synthesis Prevents true leaf emergence, stunted growth, chlorosis, or purpling Annual broadleaves M-L Lack of rainfall to activate; pH <5.9 with high organic matter, in-furrow insecticide application, high soil pH (>7.8), and/or sandy-gravelly soils leading to crop injury, tolerant species