Sulfonylurea Herbicides

Sulfonylurea herbicides are among the most potent weed control agents, functioning by inhibiting acetolactate synthase (ALS), an essential enzyme in branched-chain amino acid synthesis. Their extremely low application rates, crop selectivity, and strong efficacy against a wide range of grasses and broadleaf weeds have made them dominant in cereal, soybean, rice, and horticultural systems. These herbicides exhibit both pre- and post-emergence activity and are absorbed through foliage and roots. Because ALS inhibitors face increasing resistance globally, sulfonylureas are frequently used within rotation strategies to diversify modes of action. Environmental advantages include low toxicity to mammals and minimal use rates, although soil persistence and pH-dependent degradation require careful management. Their precision activity continues to support efficient and sustainable weed control.