Asulam Explained

Asulam is a herbicide invented by May & Baker Ltd, internally called M&B9057,^[1] that is used in horticulture and agriculture to kill bracken^{[2] [3]} and docks.^[4] It is also used as an antiviral agent. It is currently marketed, by United Phosphorus Ltd - UPL, as "Asulox" which contains 400 g/L of asulam sodium salt.

Asulam was declared not approved by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1045/2011 of 19 October 2011 concerning the non-approval of the active substance asulam. Concerns included: lack of evidence concerning the fate of the toxic metabolite sulfanilamide and other metabolites; the poorly characterised nature of the impurities potentially present in the technical-grade product; toxicity to birds. This decision is given in with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, and amending Commission Decision 2008/934/EC.

Notes and References

1. Web site: ChemSpider – Asulam – C8H10N2O4S. 30 September 2011.
2. An assessment of aerially applied asulam as a method of long-term bracken control . R. J. Pakemana, M. G. Le Ducb and R. H. Marrs . Journal of Environmental Management . 53 . 3 . 255–262 . 1998 . 10.1006/jema.1998.0207 . 1998JEnvM..53..255P .
3. Restoration of Calluna heathland on a bracken Pteridium-infested site in north west England . C. S. R. Snow and R. H. Marrs . Biological Conservation . 81 . 1–2 . 35–42 . 1997 . 10.1016/S0006-3207(96)00147-4. 1997BCons..81...35S .
4. Interactions Between the Chrysomelid Beetle Gastrophysa viridula, the Weed Rumex obtusifolius and the Herbicide Asulam . R. I. Speight and J. B. Whittaker . The Journal of Applied Ecology . 24 . 1 . 119–129 . 1987 . 10.2307/2403791 . 2403791 . 1987JApEc..24..119S .