ORTHOSULFAMURON

Technical Bulletin

Technical Bulletin 1 of 11

INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 3 2. MODE OF ACTION ................................................................................................ 4 3. INTENDED USE..................................................................................................... 5 4. WEEDS CONTROLLED IN RICE .......................................................................... 6 5. TIMING AND RATE OF APPLICATIONS .............................................................. 6 6. SURFACTANTS AND TANK MIX STRATEGY...................................................... 7 7. WATER MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICAL USAGE ............................................ 7 8. SELECTIVITY TO CROP ....................................................................................... 8 9. INFORMATION ON THE OCCURRENCE OR POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESISTANCE .................................................................. 8 10. EFFECTS ON THE YIELD OF TREATED PLANTS OF PLANT PRODUCTS IN TERMS OF QUANTITY AND/OR QUALITY .............................................................. 9 11. IMPACT ON SUCCEEDING CROPS ................................................................. 10 12. IMPACT ON NON TARGET PLANTS, INCLUDING ADJACENT CROPS ........ 10 14. REGISTRATIONS GRANTED............................................................................ 10 15. CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................. 11

Technical Bulletin 2 of 11

1. INTRODUCTION
TRADE NAME ISO NAME OF ACTIVE INGREDIENT (A.I.): ISAGRO CODE OWNER USE: KELION 50 WG, STRADA WG, PIVOT 50 WG ORTHOSULFAMURON IR5878 ISAGRO SPA Selective post-emergence herbicide for rice

Orthosulfamuron is a new active ingredient of ISAGRO SPA, it belongs to the family of sulfonylureas, and it is an inhibitors of acetolactate syntase (ALS), therefore according to HRAC classification it is included in the group B. It is a systemic herbicide for the control of the main weeds in rice in postemergence. It is usually marketed as a Water Dispersible Granule (WG). Sulfonylurea herbicides is a class of products developed at the beginning of 1980. They were discovered as herbicide during a screening of drugs already know as medicinal substances suitable for controlling insulin secretion in diabetic subjects. The most important strength of these products are the high level of activity which allow their use at low rates of application (10-200 times lower than others herbicides) and their limited mammalian toxicity (the target enzime, ALS is not present in the animals) which results in a low level of environmental risk associated with their use. Sulfonylureas are considered to be moderately mobile in soil. Commonly the halflife of a solfonylurea herbicide in soil ranges from 1 week to 2 months, even if in some conditions the half-life may be considerably longer.

Technical Bulletin 3 of 11

2. MODE OF ACTION
Orthosulfamuron inhibits the acetolactate syntase enzyme activity (ALS inhibitor), it belongs to HRAC group B. Orthosulfamuron, like others amino acid synthesis inhibitors belonging to sulfonylureas, imidazolinones, and sulfonamides acts on a specific enzyme (ALS) to prevent the production of specific amino acids, key building blocks for normal protein synthesis and plant growth valine, leucine and isoleucine. Orthosulfamuron performs a high and specific activity against paddy rice weeds, such as: broadleaves (aquatic and not), sedges and grasses. Orthosulfamuron is rapidly absorbed through leaves and roots and translocated in both into the symplast and into the apoplast. Due to its capacity to be absorbed and translocated into the plant tissue Orthosulfamuron is a good solution for controlling both annual and perennial weeds. In susceptible species, leaves become chlorotic and anthocyanotic, which is followed by the death of growing points. Plant growth is stopped within few hours after herbicide application but the symptoms became evident after 1-3 weeks. Sometimes, in susceptible species the foliage does not turn chlorotic and or anthocyanotic but plants are stunted and non-competitive with the crop. Selectivity mechanism involves differential rates of metabolism in particular species; the most important are hydrolysis and conjugation. In tolerant species, herbicide is not phytotoxic by means of rapid degradation, whereas degradation is slow in susceptible species. At active rates Orthosulfamuron shows a good selectivity for the most important rice varieties (both indica and japonica). Orthosulfamuron is suitable for early and middle post emergence application. The specific properties of Orthosulfamuron ensure the following advantages: Highly effectiveness on weeds; good crop selectivity; low use rate; good compatibility with the most common rice herbicides; rapid uptake and both basipetal/acropetal systemicity; good ecotoxicological profile.

Technical Bulletin 4 of 11

3. INTENDED USE
Orthosulfamuron is suitable for weed control in rice both water seeded and dry seeded. ISAGRO has defined the uses of Orthosulfamuron in rice after extensive field testing conducted in Europe (Italy, France, Spain and Greece) and in other parts of the world (USA, Brazil, South America, China and other Asian countries). Sometimes the information derived from other countries has been useful for better defining the technical positioning of Orthosulfamuron in the European countries. The main countries where Orthosulfamuron has been tested are reported in the following table. COUNTRY
Bangladesh Brazil China Colombia Cuba Ecuador Egypt France Greece India Italy Japan Pakistan Philippines South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand Uruguay USA Venezuela Vietnam

RICE SOWING SYSTEM

Transplanted Direct seeded Transplanted, direct seeded Direct seeded Direct seeded Direct seeded Direct seeded Direct seeded Direct seeded Transplanted Direct seeded (water and dry seeded) Transplanted Transplanted Transplanted, direct seeded Transplanted, direct seeded Direct seeded Transplanted Transplanted Direct seeded, transplanted Direct seeded Direct seeded (water and dry seeded) Direct seeded Direct seeded

APPLICATION TIMING (WEEDS STAGE)

Pre emergence, early post emergence Early-middle post emergence Pre emergence, early post emergence Early-middle post emergence Early-middle post emergence Early-middle post emergence Early post emergence Early post emergence Early post emergence Pre emergence, early post emergence Early post emergence for water seeded pre flood for dry seeded Pre emergence, early post emergence Early post emergence Early post emergence Pre emergence, early post emergence Early post emergence Early-middle post emergence Pre emergence, early post emergence Early post emergence, pre emergence Early-middle post emergence Early-middle post emergence Early-middle post emergence Early post emergence

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4. WEEDS CONTROLLED IN RICE

CROP
Rice (Oryza sativa)

WEEDS
Susceptible weeds Abutilon theophrasti Alisma plantago-aquatica synonimus (A. triviale) Alisma lanceolatum Cyperus difformis synonimus (C. complanatus, C. holoschoenoides, C. oryzetorum, C. protractus) Cyperus serotinus synonimus (C. monti, Juncellus serotinus) Cyperus ferax Cyperus iria Echinochloa crus-galli (red biotype) Heteranthera reniformis Heteranthera rotundifolia Heteranthera limosa synonimus (Pontederia limosa) Lindernia dubia Schoenoplectus mucronatus Bolboschoenus maritimus synonimus (Scirpus affinis, S. macrostachyus, S. paludosus, S. robustus) Sagittaria sagittifolia Scirpus supinus Less susceptible weeds* Ammania spp. Bergia capensis synonimus (B. aquatica, B. verticillata) Bidens spp. Butomus umbellatus Echinochloa spp (white biotypes) Lindernia ciliata synonimus (Bonnaya brachiata, B. veronicaefolia Gratiola ciliata, Ilysanthes veronicaefolia) Ludwigia prostrata synonimus (Jussiaea prostrata, Ludwigia diffusa)

5. TIMING AND RATE OF APPLICATIONS

Number of Applications 1 per year Application rate g.a.i./ha 40-75 g/ha Water volume (l/ha) 300-500 Growth Stage at application 12-21 BBCH PHI XXX

Rice protection programs suggest an early removing of weeds in order to reduce

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the competition between rice and weeds in the early stage of crop development. Moreover as much earlier is the application as much susceptible are the weeds. Some weeds become to be less susceptible once a certain growth stage is reached and therefore should be treated as they are still susceptible. For instance Heteranthera spp. is susceptible to Orthosulfamuron application till 2 leaves. Later application could not have a satisfactory control level of these weeds. The same for Typha angustifolia, susceptible to Orthosulfamuron application in Spain only for very early weed stage. So, Orthosulfamuron should be applied on young and actively growing weeds. In order to lower as much as possible negative effect on rice Orthosulfamuron should be applied only on well rooted plants. So application should be done after the drainage of water that growers adopt to allow a good root development of rice plants. Application timing should be when the tip of the 3rd leaf is visible.

6. SURFACTANTS AND TANK MIX STRATEGY

Non ionic surfactants, including among them organo siliconic surfactants, generally enhances the efficacy of Orthosulfamuron. For getting a total control of grass weeds eventually present into the field Orthosulfamuron can be applied in mixture with the graminicide. Otherwise Orthosulfamuron can be applied in a weed management strategy based on application of graminicide compounds before or after Orthosulfamuron application. The first option, a tank mix with registered graminicide would give the opportunity to the growers to control, in an early and single treatment, a wide range of weeds present into the field.

7. WATER MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICAL USAGE

Orthosulfamuron is a suitable product for an early post emergence application by a ground equipment with a boom sprayer. Before application, if the field has been already flooded, the water level should be lowered up to get a moist soil or a soil covered by a thin water film (few centimetres). In this way the weeds foliage is well exposed to the product application and the uptake can be improved (24-48 hours after the application the water level can be restored).

Technical Bulletin 7 of 11

If Orthosulfamuron is applied into deeper water it should be keep static after the application for 3-4 days. In this case the weeds uptake could be reduced. Application timing of Orthosulfamuron is between BBCH 12-13 and BBCH 14-21 of crop. At this timing the weed adopted as reference for defining the application moment, Echinochloa crus-galli ranges from 2-4 leaves to the first tiller. We can nd assume that a preferable application timing is around the 2 , and before the rd emission of the 3 leaf of Echinochloa crus-galli. In this case a good control of red biotypes of Echinochloa spp. (Echinochloa crus-galli) is expected.

8. CROP SAFETY
All the trials conducted, included selectivity observations, were carried out in order to verify the occurrence of undesirable effects on the crop. No adverse effects were recorded on rice plants production even if in some cases an early phytotoxicity was noticed (light yellowing), anyway symptoms disappeared within 14-21 days after the application. In particular no delay in flowering and in ripening, no discoloration or necrosis of spikelets, no deformation of leaves, no variation in the grain panicles were observed. When double rate was applied a little bit longer period was needed in order to recover from the phytotoxicity, but within 25-40 days symptoms disappeared. This phenomenon is common and typical of solfonyureas products as applied overdosage. In any case, in all the trials the final yield was not negatively affected. In conclusion Orthosulfamuron results to be very selective on both japonica and on indica varieties.

9. INFORMATION ON THE OCCURRENCE OR POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESISTANCE

In Italy, since 1994 three species (Alisma plantago aquatica, Schoenoplectus mucronatus and Cyperus difformis) showed a resistance to ALS inhibitors used in rice. In addition to these weeds and chemical class some cases of Echinochloa spp. resistant to propanil have been noticed. We can estimate that nowadays at about 25,000 ha are affected to resistance. Schoenoplectus mucronatus and Cyperus difformis are showing the highest rate of increasing of this problem. Bensulfuron-methyl has been the first ALS inhibitor introduced into the Italian market for rice weed management. Six year after its introduction a first case of resistance to bensulfuron has been found (Alisma plantago-aquatica in a farm near Novara) and one year after Schoenoplectus mucronatus too has been found resistant to bensulfuron. Resistance to ALS, as documented in other species that evolved resistances to

Technical Bulletin 8 of 11

this call of herbicide, appears to be related to the decrease in sensitivity of the ALS enzyme caused by an alteration of the encoding gene. Amino acid substitutions at the Pro197 position have frequently been found and these usually result in high SU resistance. However the analysis of single plants in resistant population revealed that there are two resistant alleles with different mutations as well as one allele showing multiple mutations. So, the situation seems to be very complex, with different biotypes having co-evolved in the same resistant population. How to manage the problem of ALS resistance? Some recommendations: 1. Avoiding the use of ALS inhibitors for more than 4-5 years as the sole means of weed control. They should be rotated with other herbicides with different modes of action. 2. From a resistance management point of view it is important that each herbicide in mixture controls the same weed spectrum 3. Where required and feasible an integration with other measures such as crop rotation and mechanical means is advisable 4. More effort is still required to convey the right message to the farmers, stressing the importance of implementing efficient and cost-effective resistance prevention and control strategies Anyway, worldwide experience shows that herbicide resistance can be contained through integrated weed management. Field and greenhouse tests conducted in Italy and abroad showed a crossing resistance between Orthosulfamuron and others ALS inhibitors.

10. EFFECTS ON THE YIELD OF TREATED PLANTS OF PLANT PRODUCTS IN TERMS OF QUANTITY AND/OR QUALITY
Effects on the quality of plants or plant products No visible negative effects have been noticed concerning the final stage of crop development. Moreover, specific studies conducted at Doneghani Institute of Novara (Italy) determined a presence of residues below the detection level at the end of rice plant. This suggests that no effects should be expected. Effects on transformation processes No information are available on this aspect. Anyway the presence of residues below the detection level at the end of rice plant suggests that no effects should be expected. Effects on the yield of treated plants or plant products The yield was evaluated in the many trials and no relevant differences have been detected between the plots treated with the standard and the plots treated with

Technical Bulletin 9 of 11

Orthosulfamuron.

11. IMPACT ON SUCCEEDING CROPS

All the field trials have been carried out into the main rice production areas. No negative effects have been noticed to the following crops. Moreover Orthosulfamuron is not a long residual compound and so no negative effects on a following crop is to be expected.

12. IMPACT ON NON TARGET PLANTS, INCLUDING ADJACENT CROPS

Observations about this issue were carried out by field investigators and their comments are included in several field trial reports. No negative effects on no target plants growing near the application area were recorded.

14. REGISTRATIONS
COUNTRY
Bangladesh Brazil China Colombia Cuba Egypt Greece India Italy Malaysia Mali Pakistan South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Taiwan USA

TRADE MARK
KELION 50 WG KELION 50 WG KELION 50 WG KELION 50 WG KELION DUO KELION 50 WG KELION 50 WG KELION 50 WG KELION 50 WG KELION 50 WG KELION 50 WG KELION 50 WG
ORTHOSULFAMURON tech grade

CROPS
Rice rice & sugarcane Rice rice & pasture Rice Rice Rice Rice Rice Rice Rice Rice Rice Rice Rice Rice Rice

REGISTRATION STATUS
registered pending registered registered registered pending pending pending registered pending registered registered registered pending registered registered registered

KELION 50 WG PIVOT 50 WG
ORTHOSULFAMURON tech grade

STRADA WG

New submissions are still under evaluation, for example in: Ecuador, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Burkina Faso and Turkey.

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15. KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS

FEATURES
Orthosulfamuron 50 WG

BENEFITS

High effectiveness on sedges and broad leave weeds and good suppression on barnyard grasses Excellent physico-chemical and biological compatibility with other rice herbicides Excellent crop safety on both indica and japonica varieties Dose rate of 100 - 150 g fp/ha Low rate per hectare Excellent formulation Easy to use, to weigh and to mix. No dust Excellent eco-toxicological profile Safe to workers and end users, green to environment Can be used with different water management and Flexibile varieties (indica & japonica) Quick degradation in soil and water Low residues and no carry over Timing (from 13 to 23 BBCH) Broad window of application

15. CONCLUSIONS
Orthosulfamuron is a very effective herbicide for rice to be used at very low rate in early post emergence for controlling sedges, broadleaf weeds and to suppress grasses (i.e. Echinochloa) with very high selectivity on rice (japonica and indica variety) posing reasonable no risk to the user (human being) and to the environment.

Technical Bulletin 11 of 11