Selected fatty acids, such as pelargonic acid and caprylic acid, are effective nonselective herbicides for a wide spectrum of annual weed species. Greenhouse and field studies evaluated the potential of certain food-grade organic acids to enhance herbicide activity of pelargonic acid-based formulations. The addition of diammonium succinate and succinic acid improved the efficacy of a pelargonic acid formulation from 117 to 200% in the greenhouse. l-Lactic acid and glycolic acid enhanced the efficacy of pelargonic acid formulations on velvetleaf and common lambsquarters in the greenhouse by 126 to 168% and in the field by 117 to 138%. Thus, combinations of fatty and organic acids with selected emulsifiers can be highly effective as safe, nonselective herbicides.

Nomenclature: Caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L., CHEAL, velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti Medic. ABUTH