Post-emergence Herbicidal Activity Research Articles

Khellin and Visnagin, Furanochromones from Ammi visnaga (L.) Lam., as Potential Bioherbicides.

Plants constitute a source of novel phytotoxic compounds to be explored in searching for effective and environmentally safe herbicides. From a previous screening of plant extracts for their phytotoxicity, a dichloromethane extract of Ammi visnaga (L.) Lam. was selected for further study. Phytotoxicity-guided fractionation of this extract yielded two furanochromones, khellin and visnagin, for which herbicidal activity had not been described before. Khellin and visnagin were phytotoxic to model species lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and duckweed (Lemna paucicostata), with IC50 values ranging from 110 to 175 μM. These compounds also inhibited the growth and germination of a diverse group of weeds at 0.5 and 1 mM. These weeds included five grasses [ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), barnyardgrass (Echinocloa crus-galli), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), foxtail (Setaria italica), and millet (Panicum sp.)] and two broadleaf species [morningglory (Ipomea sp.) and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)]. During greenhouse studies visnagin was the most active and showed significant contact postemergence herbicidal activity on velvetleaf and crabgrass at 2 kg active ingredient (ai) ha-1. Moreover, its effect at 4 kg ai ha-1 was comparable to the bioherbicide pelargonic acid at the same rate. The mode of action of khellin and visnagin was not a light-dependent process. Both compounds caused membrane destabilization, photosynthetic efficiency reduction, inhibition of cell division, and cell death. These results support the potential of visnagin and, possibly, khellin as bioherbicides or lead molecules for the development of new herbicides.

An Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of 2-(Aryloxyacetyl)cyclohexane-1,3-diones as Herbicidal 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase Inhibitors.

4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (EC 1.13.11.27, HPPD) is an important target for new bleaching herbicides discovery. As a continuous work to discover novel crop selective HPPD inhibitor, a series of 2-(aryloxyacetyl)cyclohexane-1,3-diones were rationally designed and synthesized by an efficient one-pot procedure using N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), triethylamine, and acetone cyanohydrin in CH2Cl2. A total of 58 triketone compounds were synthesized in good to excellent yields. Some of the triketones displayed potent in vitro Arabidopsis thaliana HPPD (AtHPPD) inhibitory activity. 2-(2-((1-Bromonaphthalen-2-yl)oxy)acetyl)-3-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-one, II-13, displayed high, broad-spectrum, and postemergent herbicidal activity at the dosage of 37.5-150 g ai/ha, nearly as potent as mesotrione against some weeds. Furthermore, II-13 showed good crop safety against maize and canola at the rate of 150 g ai/ha, indicating that II-13 might have potential as a herbicide for weed control in maize and canola fields. II-13 is the first HPPD inhibitor showing good crop safety toward canola.

Synthesis and herbicidal activity of α-[(substituted phenoxybutyryloxy or valeryoxy)]alkylphosphonates and 2-(substituted phenoxybutyryloxy)alkyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-one containing fluorine

Based on our previous work on the structural modification of the lead compound I, three series of novel fluorine-containing phosphonates derivatives (II, III and IV) were designed and synthesized. Their post-emergence herbicidal activities against some species of weeds were evaluated in a green house. The compounds II were synthesized by introducing of two methylene into the structure I. Compared with the commercial herbicidal clacyfos, compounds II showed moderate herbicidal activity with 60–85% inhibition effect against chingma abutilon (Abutilon theophrasti), common amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) and white eclipta (Eclipta prostrate) at a rate of 150g ai/ha. The compounds III were designed by introducing open-chain phosphonates, which displayed notable herbicidal activity. Especially, the compounds III-1–III-4, III-6, III-8, III-11 and III-12 exhibited significant herbicidal activity (80–100%) comparing to the clacyfos against all tested broadleaf weeds, while compounds IV with five carbon atoms in the carboxylic acid chain were inactive against all of the tested weeds. Structure-activity relationship analyses indicated that the length of the carbon chain had a great effect on the herbicidal activity. Furthermore, a broad spectrum test confirmed that compounds III-4 and III-8 were comparable with glyphosate against all of the tested weeds at a rate of 75g ai/ha.

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of α-(Substituted Phenoxybutyryloxy or Valeryloxy)alkylphosphonates and 2-(Substituted Phenoxybutyryloxy)alkyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-one.

On the basis of our work on the modification of alkylphosphonates 1, a series of α-(substituted phenoxybutyryloxy or valeryloxy)alkylphosphonates (4-5) and 2-(substituted phenoxybutyryloxy)alkyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-one (6) were designed and synthesized. The bioassay results indicated that 14 of title compounds 4 exhibited significant postemergence herbicidal activity against velvetleaf, common amaranth, and false daisy at 150 g ai/ha. Compounds 5 were inactive against all tested weeds. Compounds 6 exhibited moderate to good inhibitory effect against the tested dicotyledonous weeds. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analyses showed that the length of the carbon chain as linking bridge had a great effect on the herbicidal activity. Broad-spectrum tests of compounds 4-1, 4-2, 4-9, 4-30, and 4-36 were carried out at 75 g ai/ha. Especially, 4-1 exhibited 100% inhibition activity against the tested dicotyledonous weeds, which was higher than that of glyphosate.

Synthesis, Herbicidal Activity, and QSAR of Novel N-Benzothiazolyl- pyrimidine-2,4-diones as Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase Inhibitors.

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO, E.C. 1.3.3.4) is known as a key action target for several structurally diverse herbicides. As a continuation of our research work on the development of new PPO-inhibiting herbicides, a series of novel 3-(2'-halo-5'-substituted-benzothiazol-1'-yl)-1-methyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine-2,4-diones 9 were designed and synthesized. The bioassay results indicated that a number of the newly synthesized compounds exhibited higher inhibition activity against tobacco PPO (mtPPO) than the controls, saflufenacil and sulfentrazone. Compound 9F-5 was identified as the most potent inhibitor with a Ki value of 0.0072 μM against mtPPO, showing about 4.2-fold and 1.4-fold higher potency than sulfentrazone (Ki = 0.03 μM) and saflufenacil (Ki = 0.01 μM), respectively. An additional green house assay demonstrated that compound 9F-6 (Ki = 0.012 μM) displayed the most promising postemergence herbicidal activity with a broad spectrum even at a concentration as low as 37.5 g of active ingredient (ai)/ha. Maize exhibits relative tolerance against compound 9F-6 at the dosage of 150 g ai/ha, but it is susceptible to saflufenacil even at 75 g ai/ha. Thus, compound 9F-6 exhibits the potential to be a new herbicide for weed control in maize fields.

High value-added application of rosin as a potential renewable source for the synthesis of acrylopimaric acid-based botanical herbicides

Turning natural products into value-added herbicide preparation is an alternative to synthetic compounds for environmentally friendly weed management. In continuation of our research on rosin-based herbicidal agents, 33 acrylopimaric acid (APA) derivatives were synthesized, and were structurally characterized using proton nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectra, melting point, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. In addition, the herbicidal activity of APA derivatives against Amaranthus retroflexus, Echinochloa crus-galli, and Brassica campestris L. were investigated. Among the APA derivatives, the diacylthiourea compounds 3a–f showed significant post-emergence herbicidal activity against E. crus-galli. Moreover, compounds 3b–d (with EC50 values of 13.191, 13.441, and 13.191gai/ha, respectively) displayed more promising herbicidal activity against E. crus-galli than sulfentrazone (a commercial herbicide with an EC50 value of 15.606gai/ha). In quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) study, optimal conformers and best multilinear regression analysis were performed using Gaussian and CODESSA software. The four descriptors correlating the molecular structures with their herbicidal activities were as follows: Total Charge, log MS, qNmax and qCmax. The generated QSAR model had a correlation coefficient of 0.9625, a Fisher significance ratio of 185.96, and a squared standard error of the estimates of 0.0012. Preliminary studies on the structure–activity relationship and QSAR showed that the higher electron density around the substituent groups on the nitrogen atoms of rosin-based backbone structure and smaller volume of spatial structure played a beneficial effect on the herbicidal activity. Thus, rosin is a promising source of a value-added product for crop protection.

Nanoencapsulation Enhances the Post-Emergence Herbicidal Activity of Atrazine against Mustard Plants.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocapsules have been recently developed as a modified release system for atrazine, an herbicide that can have harmful effects in the environment. Here, the post-emergence herbicidal activity of PCL nanocapsules containing atrazine was evaluated using mustard (Brassica juncea) as target plant species model. Characterization of atrazine-loaded PCL nanocapsules by nanoparticle tracking analysis indicated a concentration of 7.5 x 1012 particles mL-1 and an average size distribution of 240.7 nm. The treatment of mustard plants with nanocapsules carrying atrazine at 1 mg mL-1 resulted in a decrease of net photosynthesis and PSII maximum quantum yield, and an increase of leaf lipid peroxidation, leading to shoot growth inhibition and the development of severe symptoms. Time course analysis until 72 h after treatments showed that nanoencapsulation of atrazine enhanced the herbicidal activity in comparison with a commercial atrazine formulation. In contrast to the commercial formulation, ten-fold dilution of the atrazine-containing nanocapsules did not compromise the herbicidal activity. No effects were observed when plants were treated with nanocapsules without herbicide compared to control leaves sprayed with water. Overall, these results demonstrated that atrazine-containing PCL nanocapsules provide very effective post-emergence herbicidal activity. More importantly, the use of nanoencapsulated atrazine enables the application of lower dosages of the herbicide, without any loss of efficiency, which could provide environmental benefits.

POST-EMERGENT HERBICIDAL ACTIVITY OF MONOTERPENES ON COMMON PURSLANE, Portulaca oleracea

The post-emergent herbicidal activity of eight monoterpenes, namely camphor, (R)-carvone, 1,8-cineole, cuminaldehyde, (S)-fenchone, geraniol, (S)-limonene and (R)-linalool was evaluated against Portulaca oleracea (L.) under glasshouse conditions at 1 and 2% concentration. Results were taken after 5 days of foliar applications. The effect of monoterpenes on chlorophyll contents and total phenolic compounds was also examined at 0.5 and 1% concentrations. All the tested monoterpenes reduced fresh, dry weights and reduced shoot growth of the weed. At 1%, cuminaldehyde caused the highest reduction of 97.4, 92.0 and 74.7% on fresh and dry weights, and shoot length, respectively and geraniol caused 94.1, 90.0 and 72.4 % reductions on fresh, dry weights, and shoot length, respectively. Moreover, cuminaldehyde and geraniol caused complete burning of the plant and complete reduction 100% of fresh weight, dry weight and shoot length at 2%. In contrary, camphor caused the lowest reduction of fresh, dry weight, and shoot length at both concentrations whereas the reduction reached 32.6, 34.6 and 14.8% at 1%, and 63.1, 62.8 and 33.6% at 2%, respectively. The tested monoterpenes showed significant reduction of both chlorophyll a and b contents and phenolic compounds at concentration of 0.5 and 1%, this indicated that monoterpenes may cause adverse effect on photosynthesis and weed metabolism.

Design, synthesis and herbicidal activity of novel quinazoline-2,4-diones as 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitors.

4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) (EC 1.13.11.27) has been identified as one of the most promising target sites for herbicide discovery. To discover novel HPPD inhibitors with high herbicidal activity and improved crop selectivity, a series of novel triketone-containing quinazoline-2,4-dione derivatives possessing a variety of substituents at the N-1 position of the quinazoline-2,4-dione ring were designed and synthesised. The results of in vitro tests and greenhouse experiments indicated that some analogues showed good HPPD inhibitory activity, with promising broad-spectrum herbicidal activity at a rate of 150 g AI ha(-1) . Most surprisingly, compound 11 h, 1-ethyl-6-(2-hydroxy-6-oxocyclohex-1-enecarbonyl)-3-(o-tolyl)quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, showed the highest HPPD inhibition activity, with a Ki value of 0.005 μM, about 2 times more potent than mesotrione (Ki = 0.013 μM). Further greenhouse experiments indicated that compounds 11d and 11 h displayed strong and broad-spectrum post-emergent herbicidal activity even at a dosage as low as 37.5 g AI ha(-1) , which was superior to mesotrione. More importantly, compounds 11d and 11 h were safe for maize at a rate of 150 g AI ha(-1) , and compound 11d was safe for wheat as well. The present work indicated that the triketone-containing quinazoline-2,4-dione motif could be a potential lead structure for further development of novel herbicides.

Post-emergent herbicidal activity of cineole derivatives

Essential oils are being investigated as potential herbicides or to provide leads to new environmentally and socially acceptable herbicides. Novel hydroxy and ester derivatives of 1,8-cineole and 1,4-cineole were synthesised, by chemical and biological methods, and have shown pre-emergence herbicidal activity against annual ryegrass and radish. Effects on post-emergence activity of these derivatives, as well as 1,8-cineole, eucalyptus oil and the carboxylic acids from which the esters were derived, against annual ryegrass and radish, are reported here. Results suggest that reduced root and shoot growth observed in pre-emergence herbicidal bioassays were due to post-emergence activity rather than delayed germination. All tested substances had a dose-dependent, post-emergence herbicidal activity against annual ryegrass and radish with many derivatives showing improved activity relative to 1,8-cineole and high-cineole eucalyptus oil. However, results do not support the postulate that cineole esters would be more active than their respective carboxylic acid and the hydroxy cineole. Phytotoxicity of ester derivatives may be due to metabolic cleavage of the esters to the hydroxy cineole and carboxylic acid within the plant.

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activities of Lithium or Potassium Hydrogen 1-(Substituted Phenoxyacetoxy)Alkylphosphonates

A series of lithium or potassium hydrogen 1-(substituted phenoxyacetoxy)alkylphosphonates were designed and synthesized. All the title compounds were identified by IR, 1H NMR, and 31P NMR, some of them were further analyzed by MS and elemental analyses. The test for herbicidal activity indicated that most of the phosphonates (8) possessed excellent postemergence herbicidal activities against broadleaf weeds. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activities of Sodium Hydrogen 1-(Substituted Phenoxyacetoxy)Alkylphosphonates

A series of sodium hydrogen 1-(substituted phenoxyacetoxy) alkylphosphonates was designed and synthesized. The test for herbicidal activity indicated that most of the phosphonates (8) possessed excellent postemergence herbicidal activities against broadleaf weeds. Especially, 8f and 8g showed the best herbicidal activity against rape and amaranth with more than 95% inhibitory rate. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of nonsymmetrical aromatic disulfides as novel inhibitors of acetohydroxyacid synthase

46 Novel nonsymmetrical aromatic disulfides containing [1,3,4]thiadiazole or [1,3,4]oxadiazole groups were synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated as inhibitors of acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS, EC 2.2.1.6). Besides their strong in vitro inhibition against plant AHAS, compounds 3e and 3f also display 80–100% post-emergence herbicidal activities in greenhouse bioassay at 1500g/ha dosage. The assay of exogenous branched-chain amino acids supplementation on rape root growth of 3e suggests that the herbicidal activity has relationship with AHAS inhibition.

Synthesis and herbicidal activities of potassium methyl 1-(substituted phenoxyacetoxy)alkylphosphonate

A series of potassium methyl 1-(substituted phenoxyacetoxy)alkylphosphonates(9a–9o) was designed and synthesized. The results of preliminary bioassays indicate that most of the title compounds possess excellent pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicidal activities against Brassica napus, Amaranthus mangostanus, Medicago sativa, Echinochloa crusgalli, and Digitaria sanguinalis at a dosage of 1500 g/ha(1 ha=10000 m2). Especially, potassium methyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetoxy)-1-(4-methylphenyl)methylphosphonate(9g) and potassium methyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetoxy)-1-(furan-2-yl)methylphosphonate(9j) show the best herbicidal activity against five tested weeds with more than 85% inhibitory rate in pre-emergence.

Design and synthesis of 1-(benzothiazol-5-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones as protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO, E.C. 1.3.3.4) is the action target for several structurally diverse herbicides. A series of novel 4-(difluoromethyl)-1-(6-halo-2-substituted-benzothiazol-5-yl)-3-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5(4H)-ones 2a–z were designed and synthesized via the ring-closure of two ortho-substituents. The in vitro bioassay results indicated that the 26 newly synthesized compounds exhibited good PPO inhibition effects with Ki values ranging from 0.06 to 17.79μM. Compound 2e, ethyl 2-{[5-(4-(difluoromethyl)-3-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-6-fluorobenzo-thiazol-2-yl]thio}acetate, was the most potent inhibitor with Ki value of 0.06μM against mtPPO, comparable to (Ki=0.03μM) sulfentrazone. Further green house assays showed that compound 2f (Ki=0.24μM, mtPPO), ethyl 2-{[5-(4-(difluoromethyl)-3-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-6-fluorobenzothiazol-2-yl]thio}propanoate, showed the most promising post-emergence herbicidal activity with broad spectrum even at concentrations as low as 37.5gai/ha. Soybean exhibited tolerance to compound 2f at the dosages of 150gai/ha, whereas they are susceptible to sulfentrazone even at 75gai/ha. Thus, compound 2f might be a potential candidate as a new herbicide for soybean fields.

In planta Mechanism of Action of Leptospermone: Impact of Its Physico-Chemical Properties on Uptake, Translocation, and Metabolism

Leptospermone is a natural β-triketone that specifically inhibits the enzyme p-hydrophyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, the same molecular target site as that of the commercial herbicide mesotrione. The β-triketone-rich essential oil of Leptospermum scoparium has both preemergence and postemergence herbicidal activity, resulting in bleaching of treated plants and dramatic growth reduction. Radiolabeled leptospermone was synthesized to investigate the in planta mechanism of action of this natural herbicide. Approximately 50% of the absorbed leptospermone was translocated to the foliage suggesting rapid acropetal movement of the molecule. On the other hand, very little leptospermone was translocated away from the point of application on the foliage, indicating poor phloem mobility. These observations are consistent with the physico-chemical properties of leptospermone, such as its experimentally measured logP and pK a values, and molecular mass, number of hydrogen donors and acceptors, and number of rotatable bonds. Consequently, leptospermone is taken up readily by roots and translocated to reach its molecular target site. This provides additional evidence that the anecdotal observation of allelopathic suppression of plant growth under β-triketone-producing species may be due to the release of these phytotoxins in soils.

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of 2-(Substituted phenoxyacetoxy)alkyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-one

A series of 2-(substituted phenoxyacetoxy)alkyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-ones IIa-s were designed and synthesized on the basis of the previous work for the modification of alkylphosphonates I, and their structures were confirmed by (1)H NMR, (31)P NMR, (13)C NMR, IR, MS, and elemental analysis. Their herbicidal activities against seven species of weeds were evaluated in a greenhouse. A part of the title compounds such as IIa-g, IIk, IIo, and IIr exhibited significant postemergence herbicidal activity against Abutilon theophrasti, Brassica juncea, Amaranthus retroflexus, and Eclipta prostrate at a dosage of 150 g ai/ha. Structure-activity relationship analyses indicated that the introduction of a phosphorus-containing heterocyclic ring had a favorable effect on herbicidal activity, and their herbicidal activity could be further increased by a reasonable combination of X, Y, and R in parent structure II. It could be found that the title compounds IIa 2-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetoxy](methyl)methyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-one and IIr 2-[(4-chloro-2-methyl-phenoxy)acetoxy](methyl)methyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-one possess high activity and a broad spectrum against all of the test broadleaf weeds with 70-100% inhibition effect at a dosage of 75 g ai/ha, and the title compounds IIa and IIr are safe for corn and wheat at a dosage of 150 g ai/ha. Furthermore, the title compound IIa possesses low rat toxicity. These results suggest that the title compounds IIa and IIr could be potential and selective postemergence herbicides for further development.

Design, Synthesis, and 3D-QSAR Analysis of Novel 1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2(3H)-ones as Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase Inhibitors

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO, EC 1.3.3.4) has been identified as one of the most significant action targets for a large chemically diverse family of herbicides that exhibit some interesting characteristics, such as low use rate, low toxicity to mammals, and low environmental impact. As a continuation of research work on the development of new PPO inhibitors, some benzothiazole analogues of oxadiargyl, an important PPO-inhibiting commercial herbicide, were designed and synthesized by ring-closing of the substituents at the C-4 and C-5 positions. The bioassay results indicated that the series 8, 9, and 10 have good PPO inhibition activity with k(i) values ranging from 0.25 to 18.63 microM. Most interestingly, 9l, ethyl 2-((5-(5-tert-butyl-2-oxo-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-yl)-6-fluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)sulfanyl) propanoate, was identified as the most promising candidate due to its high PPO inhibition effect (k(i) = 1.42 microM) and broad spectrum postemergence herbicidal activity at the concentration of 37.5 g of ai/ha.

Design and synthesis of N-2,6-difluorophenyl-5-methoxyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5- a]-pyrimidine-2-sulfonamide as acetohydroxyacid synthase inhibitor

Triazolopyrimidine-2-sulfonamide belongs to a herbicide group called acetohydroxyacid synthase inhibitors. With the aim to discover new triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilide compounds with high herbicidal activity and faster degradation rate in soil, the methyl group of Flumetsulam ( FS) was modified into a methoxy group to produce a new herbicidal compound, N-2,6-difluorophenyl-5-methoxy-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5- a]pyrimidine-2-sulfonamide (experimental code: Y6610). The enzymatic kinetic results indicated that compound Y6610 and FS have k i values of 3.31 × 10 −6 M and 3.60 × 10 −7 M against Arabidopsis thaliana AHAS, respectively. The 10-fold lower enzyme-inhibiting activity of Y6610 was explained rationally by further computational simulations and binding free energy calculations. In addition, compound Y6610 was found to display the same level in vivo post-emergent herbicidal activity as FS against some broad-leaf weeds and good safety to rice, maize, and wheat at the dosages of 75–300 g ai/ha. Further determination of the half-lives in soil revealed that the half-life in soil of Y6610 is 3.9 days shorter than that of FS. The experimental results herein showed that compound Y6610 could be regarded as a new potential acetohydroxyacid synthase-inhibiting herbicide candidate for further study.

Metabolism of the peptide deformylase inhibitor actinonin in tobacco

Actinonin is a naturally occurring hydroxamic acid and a potent inhibitor of the essential cotranslational protein processing enzyme peptide deformylase. Actinonin has both pre- and post-emergence herbicidal activity, but it is rapidly metabolized by plants, thus limiting herbicidal efficacy. Studies designed to elucidate the metabolic fate of actinonin revealed that after absorption actinonin was metabolized by tobacco plants with only about 17% of the parent compound remaining 48 h after application. Subcellular fractionation revealed that a microsomal fraction was capable of metabolizing actinonin in vitro. Two actinonin metabolites were isolated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by mass spectrometric analyses. The major metabolite was derived from the hydrolysis of the hydroxamate group to its corresponding acid, and a relatively minor metabolite through reduction of the hydroxamate group to the corresponding amide. Both metabolites were functionally inactive as inhibitors of peptide deformylase. These results provide rationale for the low efficacy of actinonin as a broad-spectrum herbicide, and identify functional groups in actinonin targeted by plants during detoxification. This information may facilitate the design and synthesis of actinonin analogues with increased herbicidal efficacy.