Photo: Russian Olive, southwest Montana. © 2020 Delena Norris-Tull
Triclopyr (Remedy) Herbicide
Summaries of the research and commentary by Dr. Delena Norris-Tull, Professor Emerita of Science Education, University of Montana Western, October 2020.
Manufactured since 1976, triclopyr is one of the systemic herbicides. In forbs, it is absorbed through the leaves and roots. It increases plant growth by mimicking auxin plant growth hormones. It kills forbs and trees by causing the plant to undergo uncontrolled rapid growth. It is used to kill broadleaf weeds and is used on woody shrubs and trees, as it can be injected in tree bark and stumps. It has been used in forestry management. It has many trade names, as it is produced in over 200 products.
Triclopyr breaks down relatively rapidly in soils, with a soil half-life of 8 to 46 days (National Pesticide Information Center). The half-life times vary with soil temperature, depth, and moisture levels. An excellent review of the research on triclopyr can be found at (invasives.org). Sunlight degrades triclopyr quickly, and the salt formulation (but not the ester) degrades rapidly in moist soils and water.
It is highly volatile, so application must be conducted carefully to prevent overspray. The salt formulation is considered to have low toxicity in insects, mammals, birds, fish, and humans as it is not well absorbed through the skin, but it is thought to have some moderate reproductive toxicity. And it can cause severe eye damage. The ester formulation, however, is highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates (invasives.org). Limited research has been conducted on its potential for causing cancer in humans.
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Triclopyr (Remedy) Herbicide
Summaries of the research and commentary by Dr. Delena Norris-Tull, Professor Emerita of Science Education, University of Montana Western, October 2020.
Manufactured since 1976, triclopyr is one of the systemic herbicides. In forbs, it is absorbed through the leaves and roots. It increases plant growth by mimicking auxin plant growth hormones. It kills forbs and trees by causing the plant to undergo uncontrolled rapid growth. It is used to kill broadleaf weeds and is used on woody shrubs and trees, as it can be injected in tree bark and stumps. It has been used in forestry management. It has many trade names, as it is produced in over 200 products.
Triclopyr breaks down relatively rapidly in soils, with a soil half-life of 8 to 46 days (National Pesticide Information Center). The half-life times vary with soil temperature, depth, and moisture levels. An excellent review of the research on triclopyr can be found at (invasives.org). Sunlight degrades triclopyr quickly, and the salt formulation (but not the ester) degrades rapidly in moist soils and water.
It is highly volatile, so application must be conducted carefully to prevent overspray. The salt formulation is considered to have low toxicity in insects, mammals, birds, fish, and humans as it is not well absorbed through the skin, but it is thought to have some moderate reproductive toxicity. And it can cause severe eye damage. The ester formulation, however, is highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates (invasives.org). Limited research has been conducted on its potential for causing cancer in humans.
To return to the information on the Picolinic Acid Family of Herbicides:
Next Sections:
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