Eskudo

Technology of Systemic Weed Control

"Escudo" is a selective post-emergence herbicide based on rimsulfuron (250 g/kg), produced by CJSC "Avgust-Bel" in the form of water-soluble granules. Unlike soil-applied analogs, this product is designed for foliar application, which is essential for corn and potato crops during their active growth phase.

Mechanism of Action at the Cellular Level

The active ingredient, rimsulfuron, belongs to the sulfonylurea chemical class. Its primary feature is the inhibition of the enzyme acetolactate synthase, which is responsible for the synthesis of vital amino acids (valine, leucine, and isoleucine). The blockade results in the immediate cessation of cell division in the growing points of weeds.

• Penetration Speed: The product is absorbed by leaves within a few hours, making it resistant to wash-off by rain.
• Systemic Properties: Rimsulfuron moves rapidly through the phloem and xylem, reaching even the most remote parts of the root system of couch grass.
• Selectivity: Corn and potato plants possess the ability to metabolically break down rimsulfuron molecules, ensuring selective action without inhibiting the crop itself.

Practical Application Insights

The application rate of 0.02–0.05 kg/ha requires precise sprayer calibration due to the high concentration of the active ingredient in small volumes. As the product falls under toxicity class 3 (moderately hazardous substances), standard safety precautions must be observed during application. A critical factor is that only one treatment is required per season, owing to the product's high persistence and specific mode of impact on targeted weeds.

Using "Escudo" effectively clears fields of the most aggressive grass weed species, including perennial rhizomatous forms, precisely at the stage when mechanical weeding is no longer feasible or cost-effective.