Tebuthiuron 80% WDG – Soil-Residual Herbicide for Total Vegetation Control

Tebuthiuron 80% WDG es un persistent urea herbicide formulated as a water-dispersible granule, designed for long-term suppression of broadleaf weeds, grasses, and woody plants in non-crop areas (industrial sites, railways) and select crops (sugarcane, pineapples). As a photosynthesis inhibitor (PSII, HRAC Group 5), it provides 1–2 years of residual control through root uptake and soil mobility, making it ideal for low-maintenance vegetation management .

Especificaciones técnicas

Parámetro	Especificación
Principio activo	Tebuthiuron 80% (w/w)
Clase química	Substituted urea (PSII inhibitor)
Tipo de formulación	Gránulo dispersable en agua (WDG)
Modo de acción	Blocks electron transport in PSII → disrupts photosynthesis
Target Vegetation	Broadleaves, grasses, shrubs (Cynodon, Amaranthus, Acacia)
Solubilidad	Moderate (2,500 mg/L at 25°C)
Vida media del suelo	DT₅₀: 180–360 days (persistent)
Vida útil	3 years (store at 10–30°C in dry conditions)

Critical Use Restrictions

Non-Selective: Total vegetation control – avoid near desirable plants.
Groundwater Hazard: High leaching risk (GUS index: 3.8) – prohibited in sandy soils or near aquifers .
Global Bans: Withdrawn in EU (2002) and Australia; restricted use in USA/Canada .

Normas de aplicación

Usos registrados:

Sitio	Dosis (kg/ha)	Target Vegetation	Método
Industrial Sites	4.0–8.0	Brush, perennial grasses	Soil-surface broadcast
Sugarcane (Pre-plant)	2.0–3.0	Cynodon dactylon, Sorgo halepense	Incorporación al suelo
Silvicultura	3.0–6.0	Woody invasives (Acacia)	Spot treatment

Prácticas clave:
⚠️ Activación: Requires 25–50 mm rainfall within 10 days.
⚠️ Zonas tampón: 100m from water bodies, 500m from croplands.
⚠️ Single Application Limit: ≤8 kg/ha/year to reduce leaching risk .

Perfil ambiental y de seguridad

Parámetro	Datos	Estado regulatorio
Toxicidad en mamíferos	Moderate (Rat oral LD₅₀: 644 mg/kg)	Clase II de la OMS (moderadamente peligrosa)
Ecotoxicidad	Extremely toxic to fish (LC₅₀: 0.09 mg/L)	EPA Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP)
Unión del suelo	Koc: 80 (high leaching potential)	GUS index: 3.8 (high risk)
Intervalo de reingreso	48 horas	Full PPE mandatory

Ventajas y limitaciones

Ventajas:
✅ Long-Term Control: 12–24 months suppression after single application.
✅ Rentabilidad: Reduces mechanical clearing by 80% in trials.
✅ Gestión de la resistencia:Eficaz contra malezas resistentes al glifosato.

Limitaciones:
⚠️ Non-Target Damage: Root zone migration kills adjacent vegetation.
⚠️ Persistencia: Residual activity limits land reuse (wait 24+ months for sensitive crops).

Estado regulatorio global

Región	Status	Key Restrictions
EE.UU	Restricted Use (EPA Reg. No. 352-399)	Certified applicators only; groundwater monitoring
Canadá	Limited registration (PMRA Dir. 2017-01)	Prohibited in areas with <60 cm soil depth
UE	Banned (2002)	—
Brasil	Approved for sugarcane (2021)	Mandatory 500m crop buffers

Handling & Storage

Embalaje: 25 kg moisture-proof bags with inner liner.
Almacenamiento: Secure, ventilated area; separate from food/feed.
Spill Response: Contain with absorbent material; collect in sealed containers.
Eliminación: Incinerate at licensed facilities (>1,000°C) .