Intensity Herbicide is a specialized tool designed to manage unwanted grass species without harming desirable broadleaf crops. It is a selective post-emergent solution, meaning it is applied after weeds have emerged and targets specific plant types. Understanding the chemistry and biological action of this herbicide is important for effective use.
Chemical Identity and Classification
The active ingredient in Intensity Herbicide is clethodim, a compound belonging to the Cyclohexanedione Oxime chemical family.
The term “selective” describes the herbicide’s ability to kill grass weeds while leaving broadleaf crops unharmed. This selectivity results from differences in enzyme structure between the two plant types. “Post-emergent” means the chemical is applied directly to the foliage of actively growing weeds, rather than being applied to the soil before germination.
How the Herbicide Stops Growth
Intensity Herbicide functions as an Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor, the specific mechanism by which it stops plant growth. ACCase is an enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the synthesis of fatty acids, which creates the basic building blocks for lipids. Lipids are necessary for forming cell membranes and are required for the creation of new cells in the plant’s growing points.
The herbicide is absorbed through the leaves and rapidly moves throughout the plant, accumulating primarily in the meristematic tissues—the growing points in the shoots and roots. It binds to and inhibits the ACCase enzyme, shutting down lipid production. Grasses (monocots) are uniquely sensitive because they possess a susceptible form of the ACCase enzyme, while broadleaf plants (dicots) possess a less sensitive form, allowing them to tolerate the chemical. The lack of new cell membrane components causes the growing points to turn necrotic, leading to plant death within a few weeks.
Practical Application and Targeted Weeds
Intensity Herbicide controls a wide range of annual and perennial grass weeds in broadleaf crops like soybeans, cotton, peanuts, and alfalfa. Common target species include foxtail, barnyardgrass, crabgrass, and volunteer cereals.
The effectiveness of the herbicide depends on proper application timing and weed growth stage. Maximum control is achieved when the product is applied post-emergence to young, actively growing grasses that are not under stress from drought or cold. Larger or more mature weeds are harder to control, potentially requiring repeat applications or higher rates.
To ensure the chemical penetrates the waxy leaf surface, it is often tank-mixed with an adjuvant, such as a non-ionic surfactant or a crop oil concentrate. These additives improve the wetting and absorption of the herbicide into the grass foliage, optimizing its translocation to the meristematic tissues.
Safe Handling and Environmental Considerations
Handling Intensity Herbicide requires strict adherence to safety protocols to protect the user and the surrounding environment. Applicators must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes coveralls, chemical-resistant gloves, protective eyewear, and chemical-resistant footwear. Proper handling also involves washing thoroughly after use and discarding heavily contaminated clothing.
Preventing off-target movement is an important environmental consideration. The product is toxic to aquatic organisms, so care must be taken to prevent drift during application and runoff into surface water, such as streams or ponds.
Intensity Herbicide is classified as a Group 1 herbicide based on its ACCase-inhibiting mode of action. Repeated use of the same chemical group can lead to the development of herbicide resistance in weed populations, making it important to rotate with herbicides from different chemical groups to maintain long-term efficacy.