Metaxuron herbicide details

1. AGRICHEMICALS
ASSIGNMENT
TOPIC: HERBICIDE-
METOXURON

2. HERBICIDE NAME: Metoxuron
 Metoxuron is an organic compound.
 It belongs to the urea derivatives and chlorinated
compounds.
 The substance is used as a herbicide, which was first
introduced by Sandoz in 1968.
 Other Names : Dosanex, Dosaflo, Dosagran, Purivel
STRUCTURE:
MOLECULAR FORMULAE: C10H13ClN2O2
IUPAC ID:
3-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea

3. PROPERTIES:
 The substance is a selective herbicide against weeds
and also occasionally used as a herbicide in the
cultivation of carrots and winter cereals.
 It inhibits the Hill Reaction in Photosystem II during
photosynthesis.
 The compound is highly toxic to aquatic organisms.
 It is selective with contact and residual action.
REASONS FOR BAN:
 Long term hazardous to the aquatic environment.
 Reported that it decreases the grain yield and
environmentally hazard.
 A survey has been conducted and collected 281
urine samples of adolescent children, a liquid
chromatography and mass spectrometry images
reveals that, all 100%samples found to be toxicated.
 Also reported that tuber size of potatoes got
affected due to their susceptibility to foliar
application with metoxuron.
 It was banned in the year 1989 in India.

4. EFFECT OF AGRICHEMICALS:
…ON AIR:
 Agrichemicals can contribute to air pollution.
 Pesticide drift occurs when pesticides suspended in
the air as particles are carried by wind to other
areas.
 Weather conditions at the time of application as well
as temperature are relative humidity change the
spread of the chemicals in the air.
 Low relative humidity and high temperature result in
more spray evaporating.
 The polluted air is inhaled by humans end with up
with different diseases
…ON WATER:
 Water becomes unfit for drinking.
 The runoff of agrochemicals into streams, lakes, and
other surface waters can increase the growth of
algae

5.  Eutrophication – Change in quality and composition
of aquatic ecosystems by accumulation of excessive
chemicals in water bodies.
 Polluted water leading to the death of fish and other
aquatic animals.
 Excessive use of agrochemicals has led to the
contamination of groundwater.
…ON SOIL:
 Kills beneficial organisms like earthworms,….
 Increase in nitrate levels of soil.
 Damagenatural makeup of soil.
 Alters the pH.
 Decrease soil quality.
 Residual effect.
 Toxic to microbes, soil organisms.
…ON HUMAN HEALTH:
 It has both direct and indirect effect.
 Farm workers and their family experience the
greatest exposure to agricultural pesticides
through direct contact.

6.  Pesticide exposure can cause a variety of adverse
health effects, ranging from simple irritation of the
skin and eyes.
 It also effects the nervous system, reproductive
problems, also causes cancer.
 Children are more susceptible and sensitive
because they are still developing and have a
weaker immune system than adults.
…ON ANIMALS:
 Agrichemicals can travel up the food chain.
 Some types of fungicides slightly toxic to birds and
mammals, but may kill earthworms, which can in
turn reduce populations of the birds.