In a post on this website, scientists from Purdue University provide an excellent summary of the benefits and concerns that are associated with 2,4-D and dicamba-tolerant crops.

To add to the information base about 2,4-D use in crops (click here to access labels of various 2,4-D products), the newly developed 2,4-D Research Portal provides access to videos and refereed journal articles that provide a wealth of facts and data pertaining to the use of 2,4-D, which was the world’s first selective herbicide. Over the past 70 years, it has been a critical component in the expansion of agricultural production.

The materials posted within this portal provide an excellent source of information that is especially helpful in understanding the history and benefits associated with the use of 2,4-D in agricultural systems. The portal can be used to access the below bibliographies and videos on the following aspects of 2,4-D use and evaluation.

Bibliography of mechanistic studies’results–chemical fate and modes of action of 2,4-D

Bibliography of exposure studies’ results–occupational and environmental aspects

Bibliography of animal studies’ results–derivation of baseline toxicity data

Bibliography of human exposure studies’ results–studies involving extended time periods to explore biological variability and bioaccumulation

Bibliography of regulatory decisions–based on scientific literature

Expert interview series–discussion of findings via interviews with and presentations by experts

Since 2,4-D has been in continuous use as a crop protectant for this extended period, its safety aspects have likely been studied in more depth than for any other herbicide. This will be especially helpful and cogent as 2,4-D-tolerant crops come onto the agricultural scene.

The effect of 2,4-D in the environment will be even more scrutinized with its increased use on tolerant crops. I invite you to peruse the content of the above portal to familiarize yourself with its content and the wealth of results from decades of research. You will see that this thoroughly studied and evaluated herbicide will continue to be an important weed control component in agriculture’s future. It behooves all of us involved in agricultural production, which is dependent on the continued safe use of all pesticides, to become familiar with the resources that are available on this portal that provide the base for making intelligent, science-based decisions about a pesticide as important as 2,4-D.

Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, June 2015, larryheatherly@bellsouth.net