What is "bensulide"

n. An organophosphate acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used as an insecticide.

Bensulide is a selective organophosphate herbicide. It is one of a few organophosphate compounds that are used as a herbicide. Most of the others are used as insecticides. It is used on vegetable crops such as carrots, cucumbers, peppers, and melons and in cotton and turfgrass to control annual grasses such as bluegrass and crabgrass and broadleaf weeds. It is often applied before the weed seeds germinate (pre-emergence) in order to prevent them from germinating. It is available as granules or an emulsifiable concentrate. Estimates place the total U.S. use of bensulide at about 632,000 pounds annually. Application rates may be relatively heavy (up to 22.6 kg/ha) when it is used. The EPA classifies Bensulide as a General Use Pesticide.