Zytron, also known as DMPA, is a chlorophenoxy herbicide.[1] It controls crabgrass and other weeds in turf preëmergently, and ants, chinch bugs and grubs.[2] It is used on baseball pitches in Australia.[3]
Zytron inhibits microtubule assembly, preventing mitosis. making it a Group 3 / D / K1, similar to dinitroanilines like trifluralin.[4] It was tested and commercially available in the US in 1959, and applied at 10-20 lbs per acre on turf,[5] a high rate compared to other herbicides.
Zytron disappears almost completely from the body within one hour of mammalian exposure.[2] It does not accumulate in soil and is non-harmful to microflora.[6] DMPA has in testing been applied at rates as high as 67 lbs per acre.[7]
Zytron may cause neurotoxicity in chickens. It is an organophosphorus ester, and other such chemicals are known to cause similar neurotoxicity. 100 mg/kg daily for 10 days was considered the minimum effective dose to observably alter hens' behaviour.[8]
Zytron has been sold under the tradenames "Dow Crabgrass Killer", "Dow 1329", "Dowco 118" and "T-H Crabgrass Killer."[9][10]
^ abSt. John, Jr., Leigh E.; Lisk, Donald J. (January 1970). "Metabolic studies with Zytron herbicide in a lactating cow". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 18 (1): 125–127. Bibcode:1970JAFC...18..125S. doi:10.1021/jf60167a031. PMID5535663.
^Ahrens, J. F.; Olson, A. R. (March 1961). "Prevention and Control of Crabgrass in Lawns"(PDF). The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (Bulletin 642). New Haven. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^Gibeault V. A.mSkogley, C.R., Effects of DMPA (Zytron) on Colonial Bentgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Red Fescue Root Growth, uly, 1967
^B. M. Francis, L. G. Hansen & R. L. Metcalf (1980) Neurotoxicity of
halogenated o‐phenyl o‐alkyl alkylphosphonothioates, Journal of Environmental Science &
Health Part B, 15:4, 313-331, DOI: 10.1080/03601238009372186