Clethodim is a systemic cyclohexanedione selective herbicide developed by Chevron Chemical Company (USA) in 1987.
Mode of Action:
Clethodim is classified as a Group A herbicide by the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) (WSSA Group 1) and acts as an acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor. It inhibits the activity of ACCase in plants, blocking the biosynthesis of branched-chain fatty acids and flavonoids, thereby suppressing the activity of plant meristems and hindering weed growth. After application, the herbicide is rapidly absorbed by stems and leaves and translocated to the roots and growing points. Typically, within 1–3 weeks, the plants exhibit chlorosis and necrosis, followed by desiccation and death. Since the ACCase in broadleaf crops is insensitive to this herbicide or can rapidly degrade it, it is highly safe for dicotyledonous crops such as soybeans and cotton.
Target Weeds and Application Scope:
(1) Applicable Crops: Soybeans, rapeseed, cotton, peanuts, flax, tobacco, watermelon, sugar beets, sunflowers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and over 40 other dryland broadleaf crops, as well as orchards and vegetable fields. Strictly prohibited for use in grass crops (such as wheat, corn, rice, sorghum).
(2) Clethodim is primarily used to control annual and perennial grass weeds, such as barnyardgrass, crabgrass, foxtail, goosegrass, wild oat, blackgrass, ryegrass, bermudagrass, dallisgrass, shattercane, cogongrass, reed, etc. It has little or no activity against broadleaf weeds and sedges. The optimal application period is at the 2–5 leaf stage of grass weeds. The herbicide has good rainfastness; rainfall 1–3 hours after application does not affect its efficacy. It can also exert its effect under low-temperature conditions (above 2°C), although the speed of action is slower.
Main Formulations:
Clethodim 240 g/L EC