PBI-Gordon develops new herbicide

PBI-Gordon Corp. has developed a nonphenoxy, “three-way” herbicide, soon to be branded SwitchBlade.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s registration for the herbicide is pending.

SwitchBlade will feature three active ingredients: halauxifen-methyl, fluroxypyr and dicamba. Testing has shown that, when combined, these active ingredients will provide extended postemergence control of 34 broadleaf weeds—including clover, dandelion and plantain, according to the company.

The active ingredient halauxifen-methyl is from a new class of systemic auxin herbicides, called Arylpicolinates. Rapidly absorbed by leaves and to a lesser extent, the roots of sensitive plants, it mimics the plant growth hormones and disrupts the weed’s growth process, said PBI-Gordon.

The herbicide can be applied year-round when weeds are actively growing but will be ideal for spring or fall applications in cooler conditions.

It’s being proposed for use on bahiagrass, bermudagrass, bentgrass, centipedegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass.