Broad spectrum, pre-emergent herbicide
Tembotrione is not a medical substance. It is a selective, post-emergence herbicide developed for the control of a broad spectrum of broadleaf and grassy weeds in corn [1]. It works by inhibiting an enzyme called 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), which is essential for carotenoid biosynthesis in plants. Carotenoids are pigments that protect chlorophyll from photobleaching. When HPPD is inhibited, carotenoid synthesis is disrupted, and chlorophyll is bleached by sunlight. This leads to cell death and ultimately kills the weeds [2].
Tembotrione is typically applied to corn fields between crop emergence and the V8 (more than 8 visible leaves) developmental stage of corn. It is often used in conjunction with a herbicide safener, such as cyprosulfamide, to protect the corn from injury.
Here are some key points about tembotrione:
- It is a herbicide, not a medical substance
- It is used to control broadleaf and grassy weeds in corn
- It works by inhibiting HPPD, which is essential for carotenoid biosynthesis in plants
- It is typically applied between crop emergence and the V8 developmental stage of corn
- It is often used in conjunction with a herbicide safener to protect the corn from injury