PURPOSE: A herbicide that contains the reaction product between sodium chlorite and a peroxypyrophosphate salt as an active ingredient, thus showing no hygroscopicity and high stability at room temperature, low decomposition rate, retaining herbicidal effect for a long time and having effect of withering various kinds of weeds.

CONSTITUTION: The reaction product between sodium chlorite and peroxypyrophosphate salt is a odorless, white powder, easily soluble in water and low in toxicity to men. Thus, it can be applied directly, however it may be mixed with a carrier or assistant and made into a wetting dust or granules as well. They are used by spraying on stalks and leaves or on soil. The dose is 1W2kg/a against annual true grass weeds such as finger or manna grass or broadleaf weeds, 3W5kg/a against prennial weeds such as smart weeds and 8W10kg/a against annual weeds such as Indian mockstrawberry or arrowroot vine. The pyrophosphate salt, remaining after decomposition, can be expected to act as a fertilizer.