(Phys.org) -- A naturally occurring compound derived from wild tomato plants is also a fast-acting, nontoxic herbicide, according to researchers at North Carolina State University.

NC State entomologist Dr. Mike Roe had previously worked with the compound  known as 2-undecanone  as a natural replacement for the chemical DEET in insect repellents. Both he and his NC State colleague, entomologist Dr. George Kennedy, were exploring whether 2-undecanone could be used as an insecticide on plants, when they noticed an unexpected side effect: it killed the plants.

The discovery was a bit unexpected  we were taking this chemical from a plant, so we didnt expect it to have herbicidal qualities, Kennedy says. But in the wild tomato where 2-undecanone naturally occurs, it is held in tiny hairs all over the vine and fruit, so it never actually comes into contact with the plant itself. This serendipitous discovery led the researchers to do some further testing, and they found that 2-undecanone provides both effective and fast-acting weed control. It seems to interfere with a plants ability to retain moisture, which kills it quickly.

On a warm sunny day, you can apply this to a weed and it will be withered and dead within as little as 30 minutes, Roe says. It retains its effectiveness even in winter, when other herbicides tend to lose potency. Additionally, the chemical is volatile, meaning that it dissipates after 30 minutes.

Roe and Kennedy believe that the compound has multiple potential uses: in the organic farming industry, by homeowners for outdoor weed control, by home gardeners and in larger agricultural operations. Youve got something here that is already approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as an insect repellent safe enough for application to human skin, Roe says. The herbicidal effects occur with an even lower concentration of the active compound. Plus, it kills plants in minutes and then dissipates, so you dont have to worry about soil or groundwater contamination.

What more do you need? Youre fighting plants with plants  its perfect.

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