Review date: August 2026
Overview
Trifludimoxazin is a new herbicide active ingredient registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in July 2026.
The MDA routinely conducts reviews of new pesticide active ingredients (a.i.) before registration in Minnesota. The MDA completed its review trifludimoxazin in July 2026 and did not identify any risks of concern specific to Minnesota. To evaluate the potential impacts of trifludimoxazin on groundwater and surface water, the MDA may add this a.i. to its water quality monitoring program. Trifludimoxazin is a per-/polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) based on Minnesota’s PFAS definition (MINN. STAT. 18B.01, subd. 15c). As a result, products containing trifludimoxazin are subject to additional regulations under the Pesticide Control Law.
Trifludimoxazin was initially registered by the EPA on May 17, 2021, as a new herbicide active ingredient. However, BASF voluntarily withdraw the registration following legal concerns regarding EPA’s compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). BASF submitted an updated application on April 28, 2022, that included additional mitigation measures intended to reduce exposure to non-target organisms, including listed species. Tolerances for all proposed crop groups previously were established as part of the initial registration; therefore, no new tolerances were requested.
The following is a summary of the MDA’s review of the EPA’s trifludimoxazin risk assessments and product labels (EPA Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0649). The EPA uses high-end, conservative exposure estimates to evaluate risk based on various use scenarios. As a result, exposure estimates may not reflect future use and impacts in Minnesota.
Active Ingredient Details
- Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number: 1258836-72-4
- EPA Pesticide Chemical Code: 080800
- Chemical class: Oxazine
- Mode of Action (Herbicide Resistance Action Committee): Group 14 - Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor
- Basic Manufacturer: BASF Agricultural Solutions US LLC
Use Profile
Use Sites
Trifludimoxazin is registered for a variety of agricultural uses across multiple crop groups. It is approved for postemergence-directed applications in select bearing and non-bearing tree crops as well as preplant or pre-emergence use in field crops such as corn, soybean, sorghum, small grains, and legume vegetables. Additional use sites include postharvest and fallow land.
Target Pests
Trifludimoxazin products are labeled to control a wide range of broadleaf and grass weed species. Target weeds include Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, lambsquarters, pigweed species, velvetleaf, foxtail, crabgrass, goosegrass, and Italian ryegrass. Products provide both residual pre-emergence control and postemergence burndown activity, making them effective against small, actively growing weeds as well as germinating weed seedlings.
Application Rates and Methods
Trifludimoxazin can be applied by ground (broadcast, banded, or spot treatment) or as aerial spray for certain field crops. It also may be applied with sprayable nitrogen fertilizers or be impregnated on and applied with dry-bulk fertilizers. Maximum single and annual application rates vary by use site.
Table 1. Maximum application rates for select use sites
| Use Site | Max Single Rate (LB A.I./ACRE) | Max Annual Rate (LB A.I./ACRE/YEAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Corn | 0.011 | 0.011 |
| Soybean | 0.011 | 0.022 |
| Tree Crops | 0.022 | 0.089 |
Products
The EPA registered one technical product and five end-use products containing trifludimoxazin. Product trade names include Vulcarus, Tirexor, Antorix, Rexovor, and Voraxor. End-use products vary in formulation and use site. A complete list of trifludimoxazin-containing products registered for use in Minnesota is available through the Kelly Solutions registered pesticide product database.
Projected Use in Minnesota
According to University of Minnesota Extension, trifludimoxazin may be a valuable herbicide for Minnesota crops where glyphosate- and PPO-resistant weeds are an issue.
Human Health
Toxicity Profile
- Signal Word: Caution
- Toxicity Category (acute exposure): Category III (low toxicity) via oral exposure; Category IV (very low toxicity) via dermal and inhalation routes
- Population-Adjusted Dose (PAD): Acute PAD: not applicable; Chronic PAD: 0.11 mg/kg/day
- Cancer Classification: “Suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential”
Drinking Water
The EPA identified the parent compound, trifludimoxazin, and four of its degradates (M850H001, M850H002, M850H003, and M850H004) as residues of concern (ROC) for drinking water. The highest estimated drinking water concentrations in groundwater for trifludimoxazin + degradate ROCs were 3.1 µg/L and 2.3 µg/L for acute and chronic exposure, respectively. No chronic dietary (food and drinking water) risks were identified by the EPA. The non-cancer chronic dietary assessment is considered protective of any dietary cancer risks. An acute dietary assessment was not conducted because no appropriate acute endpoints were observed.
Occupational and Residential Exposure
The EPA concluded there are no occupational or residential risks of concern. Label mitigations include droplet size restrictions, wind speed limits, and buffer zones. The restricted-entry interval is 12 hours. Use on any non-agricultural sites, including residential, is prohibited.
Environmental Fate
The movement and degradation of trifludimoxazin in the environment depend on factors such as soil type, pH, application method, and climate. Trifludimoxazin may move offsite through leaching, spray drift, runoff, and erosion. It is moderately mobile and non-persistent to moderately persistent in soil. Trifludimoxazin has the potential for bioaccumulation based on its logKow; however, bioaccumulation is not expected based on lipid-normalized bioaccumulation factors in rainbow trout and observed rates of depuration.
Table 2. Trifludimoxazin properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Solubility in Water (20°C) | 1.78 mg/L (Moderately soluble) |
| Vapor Pressure (20°C) | 8.3 x 10⁻¹³ Torr (Non-volatile) |
| Henry’s Law Constant (20°C) | 2.5 x 10⁻¹³ atm·m³/mol |
| Binding Affinity/Sorption | Kfoc = 315 to 698 L/kgoc (Moderately mobile) |
| Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient | log Kow = 3.33 (Potential for bioaccumulation) |
Table 3. Trifludimoxazin dissipation rates
| Degradation Study Type | Dissipation Rate [DT₅₀] |
|---|---|
| Abiotic Hydrolysis | pH 4: Stable; pH 7: 61 days; pH 9: 0.33 days |
| Aqueous Photolysis | 11.5 days |
| Soil Photolysis | 32 days |
| Aerobic Soil Metabolism | 12-87 days |
| Anaerobic Soil Metabolism | 58.1-383 days |
| Aerobic Aquatic Metabolism | 18.9-224 days |
| Anaerobic Aquatic Metabolism | 8.8-817 days |
| Field Dissipation | 2.3-12.5 days (parent); up to 995 days (degradates) |
Degradates
Trifludimoxazin has nine major degradates, including M850H001, M850H002, M850H003, and M850H004. Both M850H001 and M850H003 are more mobile than trifludimoxazin, while M850H002 and M850H004 are classified as moderately mobile. Persistence varies by degradate and environmental conditions. In general, degradates were more persistent than trifludimoxazin, including M850H003, which has longer half-lives than the parent in acidic soils.
Ecotoxicology
Risk Assessment and Residues of Concern
The EPA uses the Risk Quotient (RQ) Method to evaluate potential ecological risks from pesticides. The RQ is calculated by dividing the estimated environmental exposure concentration of a chemical by its toxicity endpoint. RQ values are then compared to established Levels of Concern (LOCs). RQ values above the LOC indicate a potential risk and need for further assessment or mitigation measures.
Residues of concern for EPA’s ecological risk assessment include trifludimoxazin and degradates M850H001, M850H002, M850H003, M850H004, M850H033, M850H035, M850H042. The ROC degradates are assumed to have similar toxicity to the parent compound.
Aquatic Ecotoxicology and Risk
Table 4. Trifludimoxazin aquatic toxicity. LC₅₀ = 50% Lethal Concentration; NOAEC = No Observable Adverse Effect Concentration; EC₅₀ = 50% Effect Concentration; LDPH = Light-Dependent Peroxidizing Herbicide.
| Taxa | Toxicity Information | Acute Risk Category |
|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Fish (Surrogates for Aquatic-Phase Amphibians) | Acute: 96-hr LC₅₀ > 588 µg a.i./L Chronic: NOAEC = 12 µg a.i./L LDPH-adjusted NOAEC = 0.82 µg a.i./L | Practically non-toxic |
| Freshwater Invertebrates (Water-Column Exposure) | Acute: 48-hr LC₅₀ > 1,950 μg a.i./L Chronic: NOAEC= 10.1 μg a.i./L | Moderately toxic |
| Aquatic Non-Vascular Plants | EC₅₀ = 0.200 µg a.i./L NOAEC = 0.068 µg a.i./L | |
| Aquatic Vascular Plants | EC₅₀ = 0.115 µg a.i./L NOAEC = 0.0143 µg a.i./L |
The EPA did not identify any risks of concern for aquatic invertebrates or fish from trifludimoxazin in its ecological risk assessment. The LOC was exceeded for aquatic plants for all trifludimoxazin uses, and the EPA noted that direct risks of concern are expected for this taxon. However, mitigations to reduce runoff and spray drift are expected to reduce the likelihood of adverse effects.
Terrestrial Ecotoxicology & Risk
Table 5. Trifludimoxazin terrestrial toxicity. LD₅₀ = Lethal Dose 50%; NOAEL = No Observable Adverse Effect Level; NOAEC = No Observable Adverse Effect Concentration; TEP = Typical end-use product.
| Taxa | Toxicity | Acute Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Mammals | Acute: LD₅₀ > 2,000 mg a.i./kg bw Chronic: NOAEL = 750 mg a.i./kg bw/day | Practically non-toxic |
| Birds | Acute: LD₅₀ > 2,000 mg/kg bw Chronic: NOAEC = 145 mg/kg diet | Practically non-toxic |
| Terrestrial Invertebrates - Bees | Acute: Oral (adult) LD₅₀ > 107 µg a.i./bee Acute: Oral (larval) LD₅₀ > 105 µg a.i./larval Acute: Contact (adult) LD₅₀ > 105 µg a.i./bee Chronic: Oral (adult) NOAEL = 9.6 µg a.i./bee/day Chronic: Oral (larval) NOAEL = 2.9 µg a.i./larva/day | Practically non-toxic |
| Terrestrial Plants | Seedling emergence: NOAEC = 0.00013 lbs a.i./A (tomato) Vegetative vigor: NOAEC = 0.0000033 lbs a.i./A (soybean) |
The EPA did not identify any risks of concern for birds, mammals, bees, or other terrestrial invertebrates from trifludimoxazin alone. However, risks to bees or other terrestrial invertebrates are expected from exposure to saflufenacil in co-formulated products. Trifludimoxazin products containing saflufenacil include label language to protect pollinators. For example, users are advised to avoid application to crops during bloom or when bees are actively collecting pollen or nectar in the treatment area. As with aquatic plants, direct risks of concern were identified for terrestrial plants from trifludimoxazin use; however, mitigations to reduce runoff and spray drift are expected to reduce the likelihood of adverse effects.
Listed Species
The EPA conducted a Biological Evaluation (BE) to assess whether a pesticide may affect any federally listed threatened and endangered species or their designated critical habitats. In its effects determination, the EPA concluded that trifludimoxazin is likely to adversely affect multiple listed species and critical habitats. To address the potential likelihood of future jeopardy or adverse modification, the implemented mitigation measures, including spray-drift and runoff controls, and developed Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs) for one species. Specifically, a PULA was established to protect the Spring Creek Bladderpod, a plant species with habitat overlapping trifludimoxazin-use areas. Spring Creek Bladderpod has an extremely restricted range in Tennessee and is not found in Minnesota.
A Biological Opinion by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National Marine Fisheries Service has not yet been published for trifludimoxazin.
Product Labels
Environmental Hazards
The following hazard warnings or use restrictions appear on at least one end-use product but may not appear on all products. Always read and follow the label for the specific product you are applying. Applicators must comply with all use restrictions listed on the labels. For additional information on product labeling criteria, see the EPA’s Label Review Manual.
Surface Water Advisory
Trifludimoxazin may impact surface water quality due to runoff, particularly from poorly draining soils and in areas with shallow groundwater. The product is classified as having high potential for reaching surface water via runoff for several weeks after application.
Groundwater Advisory
Trifludimoxazin has properties associated with chemicals detected in groundwater. These active ingredients may leach into groundwater, especially in permeable soils and areas with shallow water tables.
Pollinator Precautions
The product is potentially toxic to bee larvae. Avoid application to blooming crops or when bees are actively foraging (only for products co-formulated with saflufenacil).
Non-target Organism Advisory
The product is toxic to plants and may adversely affect forage and habitat of non-target organisms, including pollinators, in adjacent areas. Minimize spray-drift to protect these habitats.
Mandatory Spray Drift Management
Applicators must comply with spray-drift requirements listed on the label. Users must follow requirements for wind speed, nozzle and pressure, wind speed and direction documentation, temperature inversion guidance, and boom height and location. Users are required to maintain a mandatory ecological spray-drift buffer downwind from the edge of the treated. Buffer reduction options are provided on the EPA’s Mitigation Menu. Additional buffer requirements may exist outside this section for which reductions options may not apply. Follow label instructions for implementing other label listed buffers.
Mandatory Runoff/Erosion Mitigation
Applicators must comply with runoff mitigations listed on the label. The number of required mitigation points may vary by product. Users will be required to use the EPA’s Mitigation Menu to determine if mitigations are required and to select and implement measures to meet the point requirement.
Endangered Species Requirements
Applicators must access Bulletins Live! Two (BLT) within six months of application to determine whether the application site falls within a Pesticide Use Limitation Area (PULA). If the application site is within a PULA, the applicator must obtain any applicable Bulletin and implement requirements set forth in the bulletin.
Date Posted: August 31, 2026
