An actual scenario that demonstrates sulcotrione photodegradation on maize leaves after spraying

The fate of sulcotrione (a pesticide and herbicide) has been monitored on maize leaves after spraying. One hour after spraying, 10% of the active ingredient is already transformed by the action of solar light. Sulcotrione mainly undergoes photocyclisation. The photoproduct, which has been fully characterised, is easily detected on the leaf surface. The day after spraying, 90% of the sulcotrione initially detected has disappeared. Twenty three percent is detected as the cyclisation product. Two days after spraying sulcotrione is no longer detected but the photoproduct still represents 7% of the initial amount detected. This study brings out the importance of the photodegradation pathway after crop spraying.