Nichino launches a new herbicide, ZEMBU™, to support California’s paddy farmers in weed control

Nichino recently announced that its new herbicide ZEMBU™ has been approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) for paddy weed control. The active ingredient of the herbicide is Pyraclonil, the PPO inhibitor.

The herbicide ZEMBU, developed by Kyoyu Agri for the California paddy market, represents a major advance in herbicide technology that will revolutionize the way rice is grown. ZEMBU is very suitable as a base herbicide for weed control throughout the season, and its unique chemical mode of action can control a variety of weeds such as broadleaf weeds, sedges and grasses. ZEMBU only needs to be applied once on the day of sowing (DOS) or before sowing to provide lasting control and can be used as a good tool for weed resistance management in paddy.

Nichino, which acquired U.S. marketing rights to the herbicide ZEMBU through a partnership with Kyoyu Agri, said the proven performance of Pyraclonil against major broadleaf and grass weeds (including resistant weeds) in paddy allows California growers to add ZEMBU to their herbicide management plans.

Pyraclonil has the characteristics of wide insecticidal spectrum, rapid action, convenient use and high safety. It has high activity against Barnyard grass in paddy field, and is the first choice herbicide in Japan. Its combination or mixed use can expand the control spectrum and improve the herbicidal effect. At present, Pyraclonil has a high market share in paddy cultivation in Japan and South Korea, accounting for 50% in Japan and 30% in South Korea.