What Is Actinol?
Actinol is a nitrile pesticide, specifically a herbicide, used for weed control. Its chemical name is Ioxynil, and it is marketed under the trade names Actinol Emulsion and Actinol B Emulsion. These products have identical ingredients and are primarily used in wheat and onion fields.
One of the key characteristics of Actinol is its short half-life, lasting only 7 to 8 days after application. This means it is not persistent in the soil and does not negatively impact subsequent crops. Its efficacy varies with temperature, acting rapidly in high temperatures and more slowly in low temperatures. There is a risk of crop damage when temperatures exceed 20 °C (68 °F).
Uses of Actinol
Actinol is particularly effective against annual broadleaf weeds and shows minimal effects on monocotyledonous plants like grasses and lilies. It is highly effective on red-leaved plants, making it a suitable herbicide for wheat, onions, garlic, soybeans, and red bean fields. As a contact herbicide, Actinol does not get absorbed by plant roots and does not migrate in the soil, thereby not affecting underground crops like potatoes.