Profluralin is a dinitroaniline herbicide used preëmergently to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds, in cotton, soybeans, peanuts, sunflower, cabbage, cauliflower, tomato and others.[1] Profluralin has largely fallen out of use.[2] It rose out of the related, still in common use, trifluralin.[3]
Environmental decomposition by microörganisms happens in soil and water. Typical soil half-lives for profluralin are 80-160 days. Profluralin is adsorbed into plantmatter, so there is potential that it stay in crops after harvest. It is practically non-toxic to birds and mammals, though bees and fish are affected. If applied in high doses to rats, they may exhibit ataxia, slower breathing, salivation, prostration, hyperactivity or dyspnea. It interacts with dsDNA via electrostatic binding.[1]
It was sold under the tradenames "Pregard" and "Tolban" (Syngenta),[2] registered in August 1975 and expiring in April 1984. Tolban was a 45% profluralin emulsifiable concentrate.[4] 48000lbs was used in the US in 1974.[5]
Profluralin's mode of action is by binding to tubulin microtubules as they form, blocking further growth. It shares the same mechanism and resistance properties of trifluralin, and other dinitroanlines.[6]
Profluralin is not toxic, not considered a carcinogen. Human harm is not expected, outside of eye irritation. Profluralin is very toxic to fish though, and is theorised to bioaccumulate in them.