A new bio-enhanced formulation of hormone herbicides, which could reduce the amount of active ingredient applied by farmers by up to two-thirds, will be marketed by DuPont across Europe.

The launch marks a significant advancement in the formulation of the phenoxy herbicides, according to DuPont’s Neil Beadle, and could help reduce the amount of active ingredient from the herbicide class found in ground waters.

“There is significant environmental pressure on the use of phenoxy herbicides because they are found in groundwater. But hopefully using the new formulation, which will allow growers to use a lower dose, will mean far less is found in groundwater,” he said.

The first product to be launched is a 300g/litre MCPA, which will be marketed as Go-Low Power. Initially the label will be for broadleaved weed control in cereals, but weed control in grassland is likely to be added later.

In cereals the key target weed would likely be poppies, with Go-Low Power typically being used in mixture with sulfonylurea herbicides, Mr Beadle suggested.

Other products hormone herbicides, such as mecoprop-P, 2,4-D and related mixtures are planned for 2009 onwards.