PRACTICAL MANUAL

on

WEED MANAGEMENT

(AGRON 121)

Dr. O.P. SHARMA

Asstt. Professor

2008
DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY
S.K.N. College of Agriculture
(Rajasthan Agricultural University)
CAMPUS : JOBNER – 303329 DISTT. JAIPUR

1
 PREFACE

in view of the extent of losses caused by weed in crop production, it is

imperative to understand the weed flora, herbicide resistance, weed control
measures and concerns related to environmental pollutions. in recent past, weed
management has undergone a major technological changes and requires special
attention to manage the weed flora.

importance of crop weed competition and their consequences on crop

yield, weed management containers to draw attention of agricultural students,
scientists, planners and farmers. agricult ural education in the country is being
recognized by resisting the course curricula with emphasis. on practical training.
a god understanding of weed and their management can be developed with the
help of elite laboratories, instructional farm support and practical manual and for
the under graduate and post graduate students. the manual has been prepared to
cover all aspect of practical exercises on weed management based on the course
offered to b.sc. (ag.) hons. students by the faculty of agriculture , rajasthan
agricultural university, bikaner.

The financial assistance received from the ICAR for brining out this
manual is greatly acknowledged.

Authors

2
 Contents

Exercise PARTICULARS Page

No. No.
1. Identification of common weeds and their
characteristics
2. To become familiar with mode of propagation of weeds
and their occurrence
3. Collection and preparation of weed herbarium
4. Collection of common kharif weeds and their
preservation
5. Collection of common rabi weed and their preservation
6. Collection of common perennial weeds and their
preservation
7. To study crop weed competition
8. Classification of herbicides
9. Identification of common herbicides
10 Study of herbicide spray equipments
11. Calibration of herbicide spray equipments
12. Calculation on herbicidal requirement for field crops
and aquatic situations
13. Application of pre plant herbicides in the field
14. Application of pre emergence and post emergence
herbicides in the field
15. Application of herbicides under aquatic conditions
16. Farm visit to problem areas of weeds
Annexures
I. List of common weeds
II. Trade name, formulation and sources of common
herbicides
III. List of new herbicides
IV. Noxious weeds of world

3
 Exercise - 1

Identification of common weeds and their characteristics

Objective
To identify the weeds
Materials
Manual on weed management, Books on Botany, Taxonomy, Weed Science,
Herbaria, HB Pencil, White paper etc.
Procedure
After locating different types of weeds, study their habitat, morphology and
mode of propagation. Help of books, manuals, herbaria, exhibits and other references
may be taken for correct and scientific reporting of weed specimen. As you get a weed
plant, make a visual observation and understand it’s basic characteristics.
Observations
Make a list of all weeds and note down the salient characteristics given below :
(A) Morphology of the plant
(i) Leaf : Colour, size, shape, arrangement
(ii) Stem : Colour, size, nature (erect, prostrate, angular trailing etc.) nodes
and internodes, solid, hollow, woody, tender
(iii) Branches : Branched, unbranched, pattern and arrangement
(iv) Flowers : Colour, size, type of inflorescence
(v) Roots/under : Shallow, deep, tap root, adventitious, root colour, rhizomes,
ground parts : nuts, bulb etc.
(vi) Juncture points : Note the colour, shape, size of any plant part like hair, ligule,
auricle, glands etc. present at the joining point of stem with root,
leaf with stem, inflorescence with the main stem / branch etc.
(vii) Fruits / seeds : Colour, size, shape
(viii) Special points : Nature of plant sap (milky, juicy, gum etc.) and its colour, special
modification on the plant etc.
(B) Growth duration : Annual / biennial /perennial

4
(C) Categorization in broad groups : Grasses / sedges / broadleaf
(D) Nature : Associated, crop bound, parasitic, facultative, obligate

Results
1. Important scientific information may be tabulated as under :
Table : Identification of weeds
S.No. Name of weed Botanical Group Family Salient
(Local/Englis h) name characteristics
1. Bermuda grass Cynodon Narrow Poaceae Perennial,
dactylon leaf adventitious
roots, stolon

5
 Exercise - 2

To become familiar with mode of propagation of weeds and their

occurrence
Objectives
(i) To identify weed seeds and their propagules viz., root stocks, rhizomes,
stolons, tubes, bulbs, bulbils, stem, roots etc.
(ii) to recall methods of propagation and agents of weed seed dispersal,
(iii) to study various appendages which help weeds in their dissemination,
(iv) to know the importance of seeds and,
(v) to acquaint about the habitat or occurrence of weeds.
Propagation of weeds
A sound knowledge of the biology of weeds with particular reference to their
propagation and dispersal behaviour is essential for planning their management.
Methods of propagation
A. Sexual reproduction/propagation through seeds
In this method, fusion of male (pollen) and the female gametes (egg) takes place
to form the embryo. The majority of weeds reproduce by distinct seed formation which
is prolific particularly the annuals and biennial species. Such weeds are capable of
producing easily thousands of seeds per plant every season at the termination of t heir
vegetative stage. In the perennial species, on the other hand, the viable seed production
capacity is much limited. e.g. Cyperus rotundus and Cynodon dactylon produce only
40-170 seeds per plant. But there are exceptions of this generalization. The perennial
weeds like Sorghum halepense and Saccharum spontaneum produce thousands of seed
per plant every year in the same fashion as the annual weeds. Weed seeds (and fruits)
differ widely in their shape and size as well as in their viability. Many of these can
germinate immediately after harvest, whereas, others remain dormant for short or long
periods/ before reviving their viability. Weedy ferns, algae and equisetums reproduce
by spore formation.
B. Propagation through vegetative propagules

6
 In this method, either stem or root fragments of weeds cut or detached from
mother plant grow into new plants or the weeds may produce specific vegetative organs
for this purpose, both above and under the ground. These modifications may be in the
form of rhizomes, root stocks, runners, stolons, suckers, offsets, tubers, bulbs or bulbils.
Collectively these are termed as vegetative propagules. The vegetative propagation is
primarily a feature of perennial weeds which employ one or more of the above cited
propagules to achieve the objective, depending upon the weed species.
Besides the perennial weeds, some annual weeds can also adopt specific
propagation mechanism. Such weeds vigourate their crown buds to produce new plants
when the parent plants are cut at the ground level. Carrot grass (Parthenium
hysterophorus), Lantana camara and arrow weed (Pluchea lanceolata) are some weeds
of this type.
Weeds equipped with vegetative propagation are extremely difficult to manage
since their propagules are located upto 100 cm soil depth where these are not easily
approachable even with deep tillage or any available herbicide. . Roots of P. lanceolata
may hit several metres deep and remain undisturbed by any deep tillage tool. Even if
shallow roots and rhizomes of weeds are reached by tillage, it only tends to fragment
and disseminate them to help their further propagation. In the destruction of perennial
weeds with herbicides too, the depth of their propagules is vitally obstructive.

Biology of weeds
Biology and habitat of few weeds are discussed below:
Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon is a perennial weed growing largely from rootstocks and stolons.
Although it produces seeds, yet these are not important in its dissemination. Bermuda
grass rootstocks form dense sod inside the soil and its stolon creep over the land
,extensively. The grass grows round the year but vigorous under warm and moist
conditions.
Diagram

7
Nutsedge (Cyperus spp.)
There are two common species of nutsedge,namely,Cyperus esculentus L(yellow) and
C. rotundus(purple).A purple nutsedge plant possesses a prominent basal bulb just
below the ground level .This basal bulb produces a chain of tubers which ramify as
deep as 60 cm in the soil. But in yellow nutsedge, instead of basal bulb there are crown
buds a little below the soil surface which give rise to cluster of short rhizomes ending in
small tubers. When mother shoots of yellow nutsedge are destroyed by tillage, new
aerial shoots are borne by these crown buds.
Chief mode of propogation of yellow nutsedge is from seeds(nuts). Its tubers are small
and slow growing.During the first one month of purple nutsedge, a mother tuber can
produce four daughter tubers, and in three months the tuber population may reach
almost 100. This makes purple nutsedge much more problematic than yellow nutsedge.
Diagram

Carrot grass (Parthenium hysterophorus)

Carrot grass is an annual plant,with wide amplitude of ecological adaptability;being
both photo and thermo insensitive.It reproduces itself freely from numerous
seeds(5000-10000 per plant). When mother plant is cut , its cropwn bud produces new
shoots.
The weed is notorious for causing allergic dermatitis and mental depressions in human
beings.The main toxin responsible is parthenin. In summers , carrot grass tends to stunt
its growth and remain in rosette form.It shoots up new growth in the rainy season and

8
grows fast through the winters, attaining a height oup to 90 c, with profuse branching
The plant flowers and sets seeds throughout its growing period.

Diagram

Safed murga (Celosia argentia)

It is a herbaceous annual weed. It propogates through seeds which germinate with
the onset of rains. The inflorescense is pinkish- white and can be recognized from a
distance in a crop field. The plants have numerous lateral roots just a few centimeters
below the soil surface which enable efficient absorption of nutrients from the soil. The
plant has shallow root system.
Diagram:

9
Ex. 1 Different methods of sexual and vegetative propagation of
important weeds
Weed species Common name Propagation methods

Annuals / biennials

Perennials

10
 Exercise - 3

Collection and preparation of weed herbarium

Introduction
Weeds are the unwanted plants at a given place. Weeds account for nearly 33
per cent of total annual loss of agricultural produce in India. Collection of weeds is
essential so that one can know about their growth, development, competition and
management under field conditions.
Objectives
(i) To know about the common weeds,
(ii) To learn about collection of weed specimen and preparation of herbarium.
Materials
Herbarium sheets, wooden block press, old newspapers, pencil or marker,
thread etc.
Procedure
The scientific method of weed collection and preparation of herbarium consists
of the following important steps :
1. Collection of plant sample from field
A scientifically collected weed specimen should contain all parts of plant
including root, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits etc. For good identification, no part of the
plant should be excluded. If plants are too small or large, extra care may be taken in
collecting the specimen. A large plant may be divided into 2,3 or more sections, each
pressed separately. However, excess branches or leaves may be removed provided
remaining leaves and branches truly represent the plant. If the plants are very small,
more number of specimen of the sample plant should be collected.
2. Pressing and drying of collected specimen
Once the weed specimen is rooted out at right stage (at seedling, flowering and
fruiting), it is necessary to press it and fit well inside the limits of folded sheets of
paper. Plants with long stem or leaves may be folded into V, N or W bends but should
not be doubled back in such a way as to lie across itself.
3. Mounting on he rbarium sheet.

11
 Well pressed plant sample should be mounted on the herbarium sheet with the
help of cello tape at the centre of the sheet.
4. Preparation and fixing of identification label : It consists of following two steps :
(A) Collection of information
The collector of weed specimen should record maximum useful information at
the time of the collection. The data may be written either on the edge of same
newspaper in which weed specimen will be brought from field to laboratory or a diary
may be used citing some reference number for a particular weed specimen. The
collector should record information in respect of the following parameters.
1. Location : Name of the village or town nearby the field and its distance and
direction from the known town for exact location, the district may be mentioned..
2. Date : The date should be clearly mentioned with day, month and year. It should be
written as March 15, 2008.
3. Habitat : Under this category, name of place with ecological conditions viz., field,
pasture, roadside weeds, hillside, sand dune, nallah (eroded stream), light exposure
(sun or shade), moisture conditions (dry, moist, wet. etc.) and denseness of
community (bare ground, thin or dense population) should be pointed out.
4. Occurrence of weeds : A weed under consideration should be described in relativity
of number of other species of weeds. For this purpose, an arbitrary scale of
comparison using terms like rare, occasional, frequent, common and abundant may
be followed.
5. Noting of essential characteristics
Nature - Annual, biennial, perennial
Root - Tap, fibrous, adventitious, shallow, deep
Stem/branches - Woody, herbaceous, erect, spreading, trailing, prostrate
Leaves - Simple, compound, narrow, broad
Flower - Shape, colour, fragrance
6. Features of special reference : Some plants in nature are known for their special
characteristics in terms of fragrance, colour, leaf curling, stinging hairs, double
colour of leaves, milky juice of stem or leaves, habitat of growth, stickiness etc. The
specific characteristics of plant along with right stage of growth and development of
the plant should be mentioned.

12
7. Miscellaneous points of inte rest : A collector by his own wisdom or discussion
with local people may collect valuable and rare information about a weed specimen.
This includes special use, preference shown by insect-pest, industry etc., special
control measure, any thing special about dissemination and propagation etc.
B. Format of identification label
A scientific identification label should include the following points
LABEL Ref. No. …
State :
District :
Location and Habitat :
Common name (English) :
(Local) :
Scientific name :
Description :
Collectors Address :
Date & Time :

EXAMPLE
LABEL Ref. No. 1
State : Rajasthan
District : Jaipur
Location and habitat : 8 km east of Jobner, Kalakh
Common name (English : Field bindweed
(Local) : Hirankhuri
Scientific name : Convolvulus arvensis
Description : Perennial herb, broad leaf, trailing stem &
creeping roots, loamy sand, wheat field
Collectors address : Vibha, B.Sc. (Ag.) Pt. I
Date & time : March 15, 2008

13
 Exercise - 4

Collection of common kharif weeds and their preservation

Objecti ve
To study about the common kharif weeds and their preservation.
Materials
Herbariu m sheets, old newspaper, pencil o r marker pen, thread, tap, wooden block p ress etc.
Procedure
The methods for collection of weed specimen consists of following steps.
1. Collection of pl ant sample from fiel d : Weed specimen should contain all parts of plant including
root, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits etc. A large p lant may be divided into 2,3 or more sections.
2. Pressing and drying of collected speci men : It is necessary to press the collected specimen plants
with long stem or leaves which may be g iven folding.
3. Mounting of herbarium : Well pressed plant samples must be mounted on herbarium sheet with the
help of cello tape at the centre of the sheet
A. Preparation and fixing of identification label. It consist of two steps.
(i) Location
(ii) Date
(iii) Habitat
(iv) Occurrence of weeds.
(v) Noting of essential characteristics
(vi) Features of special reference
B. Filling of format of identification label

State :
District :
Location of and habitat :
Common name :
Scientific name :
Description :
Date and time :

14
List of common kharif weeds
S.No. Common name Scientific name

15
 Exercise - 5

Collection of common rabi weeds and their preservation

Objecti ve
To become familiar with co mmon rabi weeds and their preservation.
Materials
Herbariu m sheets, old newspaper, pencil o r marker pen, thread, tap, wooden block p ress etc.
Procedure
The methods for collection of weed specimen consists of following steps.
1. Collection of pl ant sample from fiel d : Weed specimen should contain all parts of plant including
root, stem, leaves flowers, fru its etc. A large plant may be d ivided into 2,3 or mo re sections.
2. Pressing and drying of collected speci men : It is necessary to press the collected specimen plants
with long stem or leaves which may be given fold ing as already mentioned.
3. Mounting of herbarium : Well pressed plant samples must be mounted on herbarium sheet with the
help of cello tape at the centre of the sheet
A. Preparation and fixing of identification label. It consists of two steps.
(i) Location
(ii) Date
(iii) Habitat
(iv) Occurrence of weeds.
(v) Noting of essential characteristics
(vi) Features of special reference
B. Filling of format of identification label

State :
District :
Location and habitat :
Common name :
Scientific name :
Description :
Date and time :

16
Exercise : List of common rabi weeds
S.No. Common name Scientific name

17
 Exercise - 6

Collection of common perennial weeds and their preservation

Objecti ve
To study about the common perennial weeds and their preservation.
Materials
Herbariu m sheets, old newspaper, pencil o r marker pen, thread, tap, wooden block p ress etc.
Procedure
The method for co llect ion of weed specimen consists of follo wing steps.
1. Collection of pl ant sample from fiel d : Weed specimen should contain all parts of plant including
root, stem, leaves flowers, fru its etc. A large plant may be d ivided into 2,3 or mo re sections.
2. Pressing and drying of collected speci men : It is necessary to press the collected specimen plants
with long stem or leaves which may be g iven folding as mentioned earlier.
3. Mounting of herbarium : Well pressed plant samples must be mounted on herbarium sheet with the
help of cello tape at the centre of the sheet
A. Preparation and fixing of identification label. It consists of two steps.
(i) Location
(ii) Date
(iii) Habitat
(iv) Occurrence of weeds.
(v) Noting of essential characteristics
(vi) Features of special reference
B. Filling of format of identification label

State :
District :
Location and habitat :
Common name :
Scientific name :
Description :
Date and time :

18
List of common perennial weeds
S.No. Common name Scientific name Mode of propagation

19
 Exercise - 7

To study crop-weed competition

Introduction
Competition is the action of endeavouring to gain what another endeavours the
gain at the same time. On agricultural lands, weeds compete with crops for nutrients,
moisture, light and space. The nature of crop weed competition is highly crop specific
and varies with several weed factors including time of weed occurrence, weed density,
critical period for weed competition etc. and other crop factors.Generally the crops are
weaker competitor and weeds exploit most of the natural resources as well as the
applied inputs. Therefore, the study of crop weed competition and its effect on crop
plants for obtaining optimum and remunerative crop yields deserves attention. Further,
we also need to evaluate or compare the effectiveness of different weed control
practices including herbicides using different indices and methods to reach a good
decision.
Objectives
(i) To estimate the competitive effect of weeds on crop growth.
(ii) To demonstrate the effect of competition among weeds and crop plants.
(iii) To study the weed and crop response to weed control treatments.
(iv) To study efficacy of herbicides.
(v) To determine efficacy of intercropping on suppression of weed.
(vi) To calculate the crop-weed competition using different indices

Calculation of effectiveness / efficiency of different weed control treatments

Procedure :
Record the data on dry matter production of weeds in unweeded and treated
plots or from intercropped plot and sole crop plots and crop yield from unweeded and
treated plots of the experimental area.

20
Formula and Calculation :
1. Weed infestation : It refers to the percentage of weeds in the composite population
of weed and crop plants.
Total number of weeds in unit area
Weed infestation (%) = ---------------------------------------------------------------------x 100
Total number of weeds and crop plants in the same area

2. Weed index / weed competition index : It refers to the reduction in crop yield due
to the presence of weeds in comparison to weed-free crop :

Yield from weed free plot- yield from treated plot

Weed index = ------------------------------------------------------------------- x 100
Yield from weed free plot

This is used to assess the efficacy of herbicide. Lesser the weed index, better is
the efficiency of herbicides and vice versa.
Example : Calculate the weed competition index for alachlor and pendimethalin
applied in greengram from the following data.
1. Yield of greengram from weed free plot = 18 q ha-1
2. Yield of greengram from alachlor treated plot = 16 q ha-1
3. Yield of greengram from pendimethalin treated plot = 14 q ha -1
Calculation
18-16
i. Weed index for alachlor = ---------- x 100 = 11.11%
18

18-14
ii. Weed index for pendimethalin = ------------ x 100 = 22.22%
18
Results :
The weed index is lesser for alachlor, so it is a better herbicide than
pendimethalin.
3. Weed control Efficiency (WCE) : It indicates the efficiency of the applied herbicide
or other practices to control weeds. It is the percentage reduction in weed dry matter by
any weed control treatment in comparison to weedy check plot. This index is used to

21
compare the different weed control treatments. Higher the WCE of any treatment,
better is the treatment, and vice versa.

Dry matter of weeds in unweeded plot – Dry matter of weeds in treated plot
WCE (%)= ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x 100
Dry matter of weeds in unweeded plot

or

Weed count in unweeded plot –Weed count in treated plot

WCE (%)= -------------------------------------------------------------------------- x 100
Weed count in unweeded plot

Example : In a weed control experiment in groundnut, dry weight of weeds in weedy

check plot was 570 kg ha-1, whereas, for herbicides x and y, it was 355 and 240 kg ha -1 ,
respectively. Find out which herbicide is better.
X- Y
WCE = ---------------- x 100
X
570-355
1. Weed control efficiency for herbicide x = -------------- x 100 = 37.72%
570

570-240
2. Weed control efficiency for herbicide y = -------------- x 100 = 57.90%
570
Results
Since WCE of herbicide y is higher than x, hence it is be tter than x.
4. Weed smoothering efficiency (WSE)
It is used to determine the effect of intercropping on suppression of weeds in
comparison to pure stand crops.
Dry matter of weeds Dry matter of weed
from pure stand crop – from intercropped plots
WSE (%)= -------------------------------------------------------------------- x 100
Dry matter of weeds from pure stand crop
Proble ms :
1. Calculate the weed competition indices in mustard with the help of following details.
(i) Yield of weed free plot = 18.5 q ha-1
(ii) Yield of fluchloralin ( 1.0 kg ha-1 ) treated plot = 15.0 q ha-1

22
 (iii) Yield of pendimethalin ( 1.0 kg ha-1 ) treated plot = 14.32 q ha-1
(iv) Yield of oxyfluorfen treated plot = 15.8 q ha-1
(v) Yield of weedy check plot = 8.5 q ha-1
Which herbicide will you recommend to the farmers.

2. Application of 2,4-D at 1.0 kg ha-1 in wheat field gave a seed yield of 45.0 q ha-1 . If
weed index is 10%, then calculate the yield of weed free plot.

3. A weed free cumin crop produced 4.45 q seed ha-1 . If weed indices for one hand
weeding at 25 DAS, pendimenthalin at 1.0 kg ha -1 and trifluralin at 1.0 kg ha-1 are
18.5, 13.8 and 10.6%, respectively, then calculate the yield of cumin recorded under
these treatments.

23
4. Calculate the weed control efficiency of alachlor and nitrofen in soybean with the
help of following information :
i. Weed dry matter in weedy check plots = 17.25 q ha-1
ii. Weed dry matter in alachlor( 1.5 kg ha-1 ) treated plots = 5.70 ha-1
iii. Weed dry matter in nitrofen ( 1.0 kg ha-1 )treated plots = 4.50 q ha-1
If metribuzin (0.7 kg ha-1 ) controlled the weeds to the extent of 85%,
compute the weed dry matter accumulated under this treatment. Which herbicides is
recommendable to the farmers.

5. Calculate the weed infestation in a mustard field if the plant population of mustard is
650 in a plot of 5 m x 3m. The weed population in the same area is 280.

24
 Exercise - 8

Classification of herbicides

Introduction
Any chemical used for weed control is called as weedicide or herbicide.
Herbicides belonging to one chemical family tend to have similar modes of action on
plants and behaviour in soils. Therefore, to have systematic understanding of possible
behaviour of new herbicides belonging to a particular group or family, the classificat ion
of herbicides is essential.
Objectives
To become familiar with different groups or families of herbicides.
Classification of herbicides
1. Based on chemical structure
Inorganic he rbicides – Inorganic herbicides do not contain carbon atoms in their
molecules, For example, Arsenic acid, sulphuric acid, sodium arsenate, sodium
chlorate, borax, copper sulphate.
Organic herbicides – Organic herbicides contain carbon atoms in their molecules.
They may be oils or non oils. Majority of the present day herbicides are organic
compounds which are non oils.
2. Based on selectivity
Selective : Selective herbicides kill only targete plants or weeds while crops are not
affected eg. Simazine, altrazine, 2,4-D, MCPA, butachlor, alachlor, fluchloralin etc.
Non-Selective : Non-selective herbicides kill all vegetations that they come in contact
with irrespective of whether it is a crop or weed, e.g. Paraquat and diquat.
3. Based on translocation
Systemic – Systemic herbicides move within the plant either through xylem or phloem.
Most of the herbicides are selective at recommended rates, Example, Altrazine,
simazine, 2,4-D etc.

25
 Contact herbicides kill plants when they come in contact with plants. They kill the part
of the plant that is in contact with herbicides eg. Paraquat, diaquat.

Classification of herbicides
Common name Trade name Structural formula
1. Aliphatic acids
Dalapon Dowpon, Tofapon 2,2-dichloro propionic and
TCA Varitox Trichloro acetic acid
2. Anilides and amides
Alachlor Lasso 2-chloro 2,6-diethyl N (methoxy
methyl) acetanilide
Butachlor Machete N- (Butoxymethyl)-2 chloro-21 ,61
ethyl acetanilide
Propanil Stam F-34, Rogue 3-4-dichloro propionanilide
3. Anilines and nitro-phenols
Trifluralin Treflan 2,6-dinitro-NN-dipropyl-4-
trifluralin methylaniline
Fluchloralin Basalin N-propyl-N-(2- chloroethyl)-2,6-
dinitro-trifluroethyl)-2-6 dinitro-
triflurolin ethyl-aniline
Nitrofen TOK E-25 2,4-dichlorophenyl nitrophenyl
ether
4. Arsenicals
DSMA Ansar 184 Disodium methyl arsenate
MSMA Ansar 529 Monosodium methyl arsenate
5. Benzoics and Phenyl acetic
acid
Dicamba Banvel-D 2,3,6-trichlorophenyl acetic acid
Oxyfluorfen Goal 2-chloro-1 (3 ethoxy-4-
nitrophenoxy)-4 (trifluro methyl )
benzene
6. Carbamates and thio
carbamates
Barban Carbyne 4chloro-2-butynyl m-chloro-
carbanilate
EPTC EPTAM s-ethyl diprophyl thiocarnbamate
Glyphosate Round up N (Phosphono methyl) glycine
7. Heterocyclic compound
Diquat Reglone 1,1-ethylene-2,2 bi pyridylium
dibromide
Paraquat Gramoxone 1,1, dimethyl-4) 4-bipyridylium
dibromide
Altrazine Atrataf 2-chloro-4 (ethyl amino)-6
(isopropyl amino)-S-triazine

26
 Simazine Gesatop 2,chloro-4,6 bis (ethyl amino)-S
triazine
Metribuzin Sencor 4-amino-6-tert-butyl 3 (methyl-
thio) s-triazine-5 (4+1) one
8. Hormone type herbicides
A. Phenoxy acetic acids
2,4-D Weedox, weedone 2,4-dichloro phenoxy acetic acid
2,4-5-T Brush killer 2,4,5-trichloro phenoxy acetic acid
B. α phenoxy propionic acids
Dichlorprop 2,4-DP α-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionic
acid
Silvex Fenoprop 2-(2,4,5-trichloro phenoxy)
propionic acid
Mecoprop MCPP (4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxy)
propionic acid
C. r – phenoxy butyric acids
2,4-DB Butaxone (2,4-dichloro phenoxy) butyric
acid
MCPB Tropotox (4-dichloro-2-methyl phenoxy)
butyric acid
9. Substituted ureas
Diuron Karmex 3-(3,4-dichloro phenyl) dimethyl
urea
Fenuron Urab 1,1-dimethyl-3-phenyl urea mon
(trichloro acetate)
Monuron Telvar 3(P-chlorophenyl)-1,1- dimethyl
urea
Linuron Loxox 3 (3,4-dichloro phenyl)- methoxy
–1- methyl urea

27
 Exercise - 9

Identification of common herbicides

Introduction

Chemicals used for weed control are called as weedicide or herbicide.

Currently, there are about more than 250 herbicides in the world market. More than 30

herbicides are registered for use in India. Some herbicides such as 2,4-D are available

in nearly a dozen commercial formulations each.

Objectives

To identify common herbicides with their formulations, trade name and uses.

Materials

Herbicide formulations available in the laboratory and publications or literature

on herbicides.

Procedure

Take a particular herbicide packet or container and show to the students.

Student should be instructed to note down the following formulation :

i. Colour coding on packet.

ii. Classify the herbicide as selective / nonselective / pre-emergence /post-emergence

/ contact / translocated etc.

iii. Clear the doubts of students on type, meaning and importance of herbicide

formulations, herbicide nature and precautions during handling of herbicide

packages.

Results

Note down the following information from a label on herbicide package or other

source given in the table 1.

28
Table - 1 Information to be noted from the label
Particulars Herbicide available in the laboratory
1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Common name
2. Trade name
3. Chemical name
4. Manufacturer’s address
5. % of a.i. and formulation
6. % of carrier/filler/adjuvant
7. Date of manufacture
8. Date of expiry
9. Directions of use, if any
10. Purpose for which herbicide is
recommended
11. Method of use, if any
12. Any other information

29
 Some common herbicides and their uses

1. Dinoseb : - Contact, post emergence, selective herbicide used to control grassy

weeds (monocots) in groundnut, soybean, pea, maize, sorghum etc. at 1-3 kg ha-1 .

2. PCP (Pentachlorophenol) : Contact, post emergence, non selective, used for

desiccation of weeds in rice @ 6-7 / kg ha-1 .

3. 2,4-D (2-4-dichloro phenoxy acetic acid) : Selective, systemic, post emergence

herbicide. It controls annuals dicot weeds in wheat, barley, oats, sugarcane, bajra
and other millets. Rate 0.5 - 2.0 kg ha-1 .

4. Dalapon : - Systemic, selective, pre-and post emergence, mainly used against

young grasses of jute, grapes, apples, pear @ 1-3 kg ha-1 . In non crop area,
Dalapon + 2,4-D are more effective against kans, baru, grasses etc.

5. Atrazine and simazine : These are selective, systemic, pre-emergence herbicides

used mainly to control many grasses and annual dicot weeds in maize, sorghum.
sugarcane, pineapple, tea, coffee and fruit and plantation crops.

6. Terbutryn : Selective, systemic, post emergence, controls annual grasses and

broad leaf weeds (BLWs) in wheat, barley, sorghum, sunflower, pea, potato and
cumin @ 0.5 –1.0 kg ha-1 .

7. Metribuzin (Sencor) : Selective, pre-emergence and post emergence used in

soybean, potato, sugarcane, cotton, tobacco, sunflower, carrot, tomato, lucerne etc.
to control annual grasses and BLWs @ 0.75-3 kg ha-1 .

8. Amitrole : Highly shoot mobile, selective, post-emergence used to control

perennial weeds like Circium arvense, Cynodon dactylon, Agropyron repens, C.
rotundus and broad leaf weeds (BLW) in industrial (Non cropped areas and water
bodies) selective rates 2-10 kg ha-1 .

9. Paraquat : It is a selective, contact and foliage applied herbicide used to control

annual weeds in perennial crops. eg. for cuscuta control in lucerne. It is also used

30
 as pre-emergence application in sugarcane and potato. At higher doses used as non
selective control of weeds.

10. Diquat : It is an aquatic herbicide used to control weeds of water bodies / ponds
like water hyacinth.

11. Monuron : Systemic, selective, pre-emergence, effective against foxtail, Johnson

grass (Baru), wild mustard etc. As soil sterilant controls all vegetation used in
sugarcane, cotton and orchard for deep rooted perennial weeds.

12. Diuron : Selective, systemic, pre and post emergence. As pre emergence, it
controls grasses and BLWs in soybean, sugarcane, cotton, pine apple, potato tea,
coffee, citrus at doses 0.5 – 5 kg ha-1 .

13. Isoproturon : Systemic, selective, post emergence, controls annual grasses like
Avena fatua, Phalaris minor, Polypogon in wheat, barley, mustard etc.

14. Methabenzthiazuron (tribunil) : - Selective, systemic, pre and post emergence

used to control monocot and dicot weeds like Avena fatua, Phalaris minor, E.
crusgalli, Chenopodium sp. in wheat, barley, onion, garlic etc. at doses 1-3.5 kg
ha-1 .

15. Alachlor : Pre-emergence selective, controls grasses and sedges, some BLWs at 1-
2 kg ha-1 .

16. Butachlor (Machete) : Selective, pre-emergence, mainly used in transplanted rice

to control barn yard grass (Echinochloa colonum and E. crusgalli).

17. Propanil : Selective, contact, post-emergence used to control Echinochloa sp. in

rice, selective rates 2-3 kg ha-1 .

18. Fluchloralin (Basalin), Trifluralin (Teflan) and Pendimethalin (Stomp) :

These are selective, systemic and pre plant applied herbicides used to control
annual grasses and BLWs in mustard, groundnut, soybean, sesame, cumin,
safflower, rice, potato, cotton, lucerne and oilseeds etc. Recommended doses 0.75,
1.5 kg ha-1 .

31
19. Nitrofen (Tok-E-25) : It is a selective, contact, pre and post emergence herbicide.
It controls young BLWs grasses and nut sedges in rice, cole crops, rice ,lawns etc.
selective doses 2-5 kg ha-1 .

20. Oxyfluorfen : (Goal) : Pre emergence, contact, selective used in wheat, soybean,
groundnut, potato, rice, jute, transplanted paddy, vegetables eg. onion garlic,
tomato to control annual and grasses and BLWs @ 50-250 g ha-1 .

Types of formulations
Most herbicides molecules are directly not in a form suitable for their field
application for weed control. These must be mixed with suitable adjuvants to improve
their solubility in water their application feasibility, their leaf surface activity, storage
life and safety to users. This is called then a formulation. The different types of
formulations are given below :
1. Emulsifiable concentrate (E.C.) :
Herbicides is a product of the active ingredient (Technical material), a solvent
and an emulsifier. As active ingredient is insoluble in water, it is prepared by dissolving
the a.i. in a small quantity of a solvent and emulsifying it with water to the required
degree of concentration eg. Basalin 45 EC.
2. Wettable powde r (W.P.)
Herbicides materials of low solubility may be milled into fine powder that
makes stable suspension in water. Wettable powders require continuous agitation to
prevent their setting and to give a uniform level of chemical in the spray e.g. Altrazine
50 % WP.
3. Soluble powder (S.P.)
These can be dissolved in convent amounts of water and sprayed efficiently.
Salts of most herbicides are soluble in water eg. Dalapon and sodium salt of 2,4-D etc.
4. Soluble concentrate (S.C.)
Herbicides which are available in the form of soluble liquids and can be easily
added to water, e.g. Dicamba and 2,4-D .
5. Granules (G.)
The granules are small pellets formed from various inert clays and sprayed with
a solution of the toxicant to give the desired content. After the solvent has evaporated
the granules are packed for use, eg. Butachlor granules.

32
Exercise: Study of trade name, formulation, a.i. and co mmon use and source of
herbicides
S.No Common name Trade Formulation Common Source
name and a.i. use
1. 2,4-D (amine)
2. 2,4-D (ester)
3. 2,4-D (Na salt)
4. Acetachlor
5. Anilofos
6. Alachlor
7. Atrazine
8. Benthiocarb
9. Butachlor
10. Chlorimuron
11. Chlorosulfuron
12. Dalapon
13. Dicamba
14. Diclofop methyl
15. Diuron
16. Diquat
17. Fluchloralin
18. Fluazifop
19. Glyphosate
20. Imazethapyr
21. Isoproturon
22. Linuron
23. MCPA
24. Mestsulfuron- methyl
25. Metaxuron
26. Metolachlor
27. Metribuzin
28. Oxadiargyl
29. Oxadiazon
30. Oxyflourfen
31. Paraquat
32. Pendimethalin
33. Pretilachlor
34. Propanil
35. Simazine
36. Sulfosulfuron
37. Thiobencarb
38. Triallate
39. Trifulralin

33
 Exercise - 10

Study of herbicide spray equipments

Introduction
A spray is defined as liquid discharged in particles and scattered as dispersed
droplets. Sprayer is an appliance which atomizes the spray fluid which may be a
suspension, an emulsion or a solution. Different sprayers for different purposes and
conditions are available in the market. Knowledge of sprayers is essential for effective
application of herbicide and their proper maintenance.
Kinds of sprayers
Knapsack sprayers
They are loaded on the back of the worker during operation. Usually they carry
metallic tanks but nowadays also available in plastic tanks. There are three types of
knapsack sprayers (i) Hydraulic sprayers (ii) Manual pneumatic sprayers and (iii)
Motorized pneumatic sprayers.
Foot spraye rs
Foot sprayers are very popular for application of herbicides on comparatively
large holdings. The pump lever of a sprayer has a pedal. The sprayer has provision for
1-2 delivery hoses.
Tractor powe red
Tractor mounted sprayers work under a spray pressure of 1.4-2.8 kg/cm2 . It is
very useful equipment for large holding farmers. Tractor mounted sprayers give high
uniformity of the spray and utilization of tractor during idle time.
Objective
To become familiar with herbicide spray equipments.
Materials
1. Different types of sprayers with different capacity.
2. Nozzles : Hydraulic, flat fan, cone nozzle (hollow cone and solid cone),
centrifugal and pneumatic nozzle.
3. Measuring containers, buckets and graduated cylinders.
4. Metre tape, metre stick, pressure gauge.

34
Procedure
Prepare a list of sprayers available in the laboratory and make drawings of all
sprayers naming their parts. Similarly, drawings of nozzles and their spray pattern
schedule be made. Students should operate sprayers filled with water, note down the
spray pattern and spray angle with different nozzles. Observe the spray pattern and
angle by spraying over dry soil. Spray output with different sprayers and operating
pressures will be measured by collecting the water from the nozzles over constant
period of time. Leakage and un- uniform spray pattern will be noted using worn out
nozzles.
Result
1. Write down the components of a sprayer and their functions (Table 1)
2. Classify the sprayer according to spray volume into suitable category (Table 2).
3. Collect data on different pressures and nozzle types (Table 3 & 4).
4. Record the necessary information about a sprayer and its use (Table 5).

Table 1 Components of an ideal sprayer and their functions

S.No. Components Functions
1 Tank To contain spray fluid
2 Agitator To keep the material in tank uniformly dispersed by
mechanical stirring
3 Filters To strain off dirt and coarse particles
4 Pump To feed the spray fluid to delivery tubes and nozzles or to
deliver fluids under pressure
5 Power source To provide power to power operated sprayer
6 Pressure gauge For adjusting the pressure required for spraying
7 Valves To maintain direction of flow of the spray fluid
8 Hose To deliver spray fluid from the sprayers to lance or from
container to the sprayer (in case of no built- in tank)
9 Spray lance Brass tubes screwed to hold nozzles
10 Spray cut off devices To shut off flow of liquid
11 Booms (spray bar) A horizontal tube to hold a number of nozzles
simultaneously
12 Nozzles To break up and disperse the liquid supplied from spray
equipment in droplets and from spray

35
 Table 2. Classification of spray volume as per Indian standard institute (ISI)
norms
Class Volume Droplet Nature Equipment
(lit./ha) size of spray
(micron)
High volume 560 or > > 400 Coarse Hydraulic sprayer
Medium volume 56 to < 560 201-400 Medium Hydraulic sprayer
Low volume 5.6 to < 56 101-200 Fine Mist blower
Ultra low volume 0.56 to < 5.6 100 Mist Micron sprayer or ULV
sprayer
Ultra-Ultra low volume < 0.56 < 50 Aerosol Fogging machine, smoke
and vapour generator

Table 3 Readings at different pressure settings

psi Volume of water Spray droplets Spray patte rn

collected
10
20
40

Table 4 Observations on nozzle types

Particulars Flat fan Full cone Hollow cone Flood fan

1. Draw the spray pattern
a) Side view
b) Top view

36
Table 5 Necessary information about a sprayer and its use

1. Name of sprayer : Hydraulic knapsack sprayer

2. Manual or power operated : Manual
3. Parts of sprayer : Hydraulic spray, pump, tank, pressure
gauge, mechanical, agitator, nozzle,
lance, boom
4. Spray tank capacity : 15.0 litres
5. Type of nozzle : Flat fan
6. Pressure required to operate : 3-4 kg cm-2
7. Spray volume : 250 litres/ha
8. Area covered in one spray (By same : 600 m2
tank full spray liquid)
9. Spray out put (area covered/man/day) : 0.4 ha/man/day
10. Cost of spryer : Low cost
11. Drawback/demerit of sprayer, if any : Man gets tired due to use of both hands
12. Other related information, if any : It is a good sprayer for farmer with
small holding,cheaper and easy to
maintain

37
 Exercise - 11

Calibration of herbicide spray equipments

Introduction
Generally, herbicides are applied in the form of solution. Process of finding out
the exact quantity of water required for spraying unit area is called calibration. Sprayer
is the basic equipment used for application of herbicides. Proper application of
herbicide depends upon the proper adjustment of all the basic components of a sprayer.
Spray pattern varies according to nozzle type, orifice size, spraying pressure, nozzle
spacing and boom height. Therefore, for uniform spraying of herbicides with good
efficiency, it is necessary to calibrate the amount of water to be applied, speed of
walking, pressure to be maintained etc. The main aim of calibration is to adjust the
application pressure and application speed (walking speed) to get the desired volume
rate.
Objectives
To calibrate the spray equipments for required spray volume.
Materials
Sprayer (Knapsack), buckets, water, measuring tape, graduated cylinders, time
clock.
Method of calibration

The method of calibration of a sprayer consists of following steps :

Step 1 : Preparation of sprayer

- Remove and clean the nozzle
- Rinse the pressure and fill up with clean water and build up pressure
- Flush pump, hoses and lance with the clean water after removing the nozzle
and strainers.
- Readjust the nozzle and strainers.
- Refill tank
- Now sprayer is ready for spray operation
Step 2 : Determination of nozzle discharge
- Keep the sprayer on the ground, fill up it with water and build up pressure
- Now take a bucket and dip the nozzle in it. Spray water for 5 minutes into
bucket. Shut off the valve exactly at the end of five minutes.

38
 - Measure volume of water collected in bucket with the help of graduated
cylinder
- Repeat the operation for three times.
- Determine the average reading. This is the nozzle discharge or flow rate
expressed in litres / minute.
Step 3 : Determination of spray volume
Measure and mark an area of 50 sq.m with the help of a measuring tape. Spray
the water in this measured area of 50 sq.m. Determine the volume of spray delivered
from the tank.
Step 4 : Determination of walking speed
- Mark a starting point on bare soil surface with a stick.
- Adjust the prepared sprayer on the back and operate pumping, directing lance
and nozzle within spray swath.
- Walk at a normal and constant speed exactly for five minutes.
- Measure the distance covered in five minutes.
- Repeat the operation for three times.
- Express the average walking speed in metres /minute.
- Do the same operation in the crop planted field and determine the average
walking speed.
Step 5 : Determination of swath
Mark in the field an area having width equal to the swath (the distance up to
which the spray falls on the ground on a fixed height). The spray lance could be held
constant while walking forward but could be swung from left to right.
Step 6 : Observation
For proper calibration of a sprayer, following observations should be recorded.
a) Total distance travelled = d metre
b) Time taken for travelling distance ‘d’ metres = t min.
c) Swath width = x metres
d) Amount of water discharged at a given pressure = L litre.

39
Calculation
A. Spray volume
Water used in testing (litres) x 10000
Spray volume (L/ha) = ----------------------------------------------
Area covered during test run (m2 )

L
= ------------ x 10000
d x x

Example : If 50 metres were covered while spraying a solution (water) of 4 litres with
a swath width of 1 metre, the volume required for one hectare would be :
4 x 10000
= ------------- = 800 litres ( 1 ha =10,000 m2 )
50 x 1
B. Area covered per hour by sprayer
Area sprayed (m2 / minute) = width of spray swath (m) x walking speed (m/min)

Walking speed (km /hr) x m / km x Walking speed (m /min)

Area (ha/hr) = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
m2 / ha

or

WS (m /hr) x Swath (m)

Area (ha/hr)
= ---------------------------
10,000
C. Pump capacity of a sprayer
The rate of discharge of a sprayer per unit time can be calculated by fo llowing formula :
Spray volume (L/ha) x Swath width (m) x Walking speed (m/hr)
Pump capacity (L /hr) = ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,000

Example : If a person is walking at 2 km/hr covering a swath of 1 m width, with a

spray discharge rate (pump capacity) 100 litres/hr, then calculate the area covered (ha)
per hour, time taken (hr) to cover an area of one hectare and spray volume required for
an area of one hectare

40
 2 x 1000 x 1
(a) Area covered per hour = --------------------- = 0.2 ha /hr
10000
1 10
(b) Time required to cover one hectare = --------- = ------ = 5 hrs
0.2 2
Discharge rate Time required Area (ha)
(b) Spray volume for one hectare = (L /ha) x for spray (hr) x

= 100 x 5 x 1 = 500 litres /ha

Example : Find out the spray volume in litres /ha if the pump capacity is 50 litres /
minute, swath width is 5 m and walking speed is 10 km/hr.
Spray volume Swath width Walking speed
(L /ha) x (m) x (m /hr)
Pump capacity (L /hr) = -----------------------------------------------------------------------
10,000

Pump capacity (litres /hr)

So, spray volume (L /ha)) = ------------------------------------------------------ x 10,000
Swath width (m) x Walking speed (m/hr)

50 x 60 x 10,000
= ---------------------------- = 600 L /ha
5 x 10,000
Proble m -1
What minimum size of pump is required to apply a spray at 90 L/ha with
sprayer travelling at 8 km /hr and equipped with a 8 m long boom.
Solution
Given spray volume = 90 l /ha
Walking speed = 8 km /hr
Spray swath = 8m
Pump capacity (l /m) = ?
Spray volume Swath width Walking speed
(L /ha) x (m) x (m /hr)
Pump capacity (l /minute) = --------------------------------------------------------------------
10,000 x 60

90 x 8 x 8,000 48
= --------------------------- = ------ = 9.6 L/m
10,000 x 60 5

41
Proble m -2
A tractor drawn sprayer is walking at 10 km /hr covering swath width of 2 m,
with a spray discharge rate of 50 L/ha. Calculate the area covered per hour, time taken
(hr) to cover an area of 5 hectares and spray volume required for the same area.
Solution

42
 Exercise - 12

Calculation on herbicidal re quirement for field crops and aquatic situations

Introduction
Requirement of a herbicide depends upon the type of herbicide, formulation, per
cent of active ingredient, area to be sprayed and volume of water. Further, the method
of calculation of herbicide dose will be different for aquatic situation (water body) in
comparison to unit area of land.
Objective
To calculate the requirement of herbicide formulations for field crops and
aquatic situations.
Materials
Herbicide formulation, area to be treated (pond area or land surface) measuring
tape, weighing balance, given numericals etc.
Procedure

(a) Herbicide requirement for field crops

All the herbicide recommendations are based on active ingredient (a.i.). Once
the a.i. is known, herbicides requirement can be determined by applying the following
formula :

Recommended dose (kg a.i/ha) x Area to be treated (ha)

Quantity of herbicide (kg/ha) = ----------------------------------------------------------- x 100
% a.i. in the formulation

Example 1. Determine the quantity of Glycel 41SL required to treat 2 hectares of land,
if the recommendation of glyphosate is 0.5 kg a.i. /ha.
Solution
0.5 x 2
Quantity of Glycel = ------------ x 100 = 244 kg ( glycel contains 41% a.i.)
41

Example 2 A herbicide contains active ingredient of 0.4 kg/litre and the desired rate of
application is 1.5 kg/ha. Calculate the quantity of herbicide required for 1 ha.
Solution
1.5
Quantity of herbicide formulation = ------x 100 = 3.75 litres
40
Note : 0.4 kg a.i./litre = 40% a.i.

43
(B) Calculation of quantity of herbicide for aquatic weeds
For different aquatic situations and nature of weeds, herbicide requirement may be
determined as under :
(i) For e merged, marginal floating weeds growing in stagnant wate r : In this
situation, surface area of pond/lake to be treated is important.

Surface area (m2 ) x Spray volume (L/ha) x Herbicide concentration (%)

Quantity of herbicide (L/ha) = ----------------------------------------------------------------
10,000 x 100

Example : Calculate the quantity of Gramoxone required to control emerged weeds in

a pond, having an area of 5000 sq metres. Weeds are to be treated with 0.5% of
Gramoxone (paraquat) at a spray volume of 800 litres /ha.
Solution
5000 x 800 x 0.5
Quantity of Gramoxone = -------------------------- = 2 litres
10,000 x 100

(ii) For submerged weeds in stable water bodies : In this situation, inspite of surface
area, total volume of water in a pond or water body is taken as a basis of total herbicide
requirement.
Surface area of Depth of water Herbicide dose
2
Water body (m ) x in water body x 10.11 x (ppmw)
Quantity of herbicide = -----------------------------------------------------------------------
10000
ppmw = parts per million weight
or

Volume of water (m3 ) x 1011 x Herbicide dose (ppmw)

Quantity of herbicide = -------------------------------------------------------------------
106
Example : Calculate the amount of 2,4-D required to control weeds in a pond with
4000 m2 surface area and 1.0 metre water depth. The rate of application of 2,4-D is 0.5
ppmw.

4000 x 1 x 10.11 x 0.5

Quantity of 2,4-D = ------------------------------------
10,000

or

4000 x 1011 x 0.5

Quantity of 2,4-D = ------------------------------------ = 2.02 kg
106

44
(iii) For submerged weeds in flowing wate r bodies :Weeds also grow in canals and
channels. Water flows in canals and channels and, hence, under this situation, the
quantity of herbicide is based on the water discharge rate and dimensions of the ca nal
or channel. Therefore, first calculate the water discharge rate of stream and then
determine the requirement of herbicide.
Application of spray = Rate of herbicide x Discharge rate
herbicide (litres/minute) application (litres/minute) of stream
(cumec.)

Discharge rate of stream = Width of x Depth of x Flow speed

(cumec.) canal (m) canal (m) (m/sec.) x 0.9

Example : A canal with a dimension of 25 m width and 1.5 m depth is to be treated

with a spray solution of 200 litres in 90 minutes to control weeds. Canal is flowing at a
speed of 0.8 m/sec. Calculate the application rate of the herbicide solution.
Solution
(i) Discharge rate of water in canal = 25 x 1.5 x 0.8 x 0.9 = 27 m3 /sec.
200 x 27
(ii) Application (injection) rate of herbicide solution = -------- = 60 litres/min.
90
Proble m 1 : Calculate the quantity of commercial material required to spray 5
hectares of wheat crop with a solution of 6000 ppm of 2,4-D available in ester and
amine forms. The a.i. present in ester is 400 g/l and in amine is 500 g/l., the
recommended doses are 0.25 and 0.5 kg ha-1 for ester and amine, respectively.
Solution

45
Proble m 2 : A,B and C are three different herbicides available in the market with the
following informations

Herbicide A Herbicide B Herbicide C

a.i. present(%) 45 60 75
Recommended dose (kg a.i./ha) 1.50 1.25 0.40
cost (Rs/kg) 225 240 400
Report which herbicide you will recommend for controlling weeds in wheat crop.
Solution

Proble m 3 : Calculate the amount of 2,4-D required to control the weeds in a pond of
3500 m2 surface area and 1.5 m water depth. The rate of application of 2,4-D is 0.6
ppmw ( parts per million weight).
Solution

46
 Exercise - 13

Application of pre plant herbicides in the field

Introduction
Herbicides are the chemicals used to kill weeds. They are selective to crops
when they are applied at recommended dose by proper method. For the effective and
safe use of herbicides, time of application, selection of proper equipment, technique
and method, knowledge of nature of chemical and environmental conditions are very
important. A herbicide treatment made at any time before the crop is planted is called a
pre plant treatment. Pre plant treatments are of two types (a) Pre plant desiccation and
(b) Pre plant incorporation. In desiccation, herbicides are applied to destroy the
standing vegetation as an aid to seed bed preparation. While in pre plant incorporation.
method, herbicides are mixed in weed free seed bed to obtain residual control of weeds
during crop season.
Objective
To ensure proper application of pre plant herbicides in the field.
Materials
Knapsack sprayer, crop field, herbicide, water measuring scale etc.
Procedure
1. Selection of proper herbicide.
2. Equipment : according to area to be sprayed and method of application, choose
an appropriate equipment. For spray, knapsack sprayers are suitable.
3. Calibration : Calculate the spray volume, walking speed, discharge rate and
time of spray through calibration.
4. Compute the amount of herbicide needed.
5. Put on hand gloves, eye glass and tie cloth around the mouth.
6. Measure the amount of herbicide and put it in a bucket. Slowly pour some water
in the bucket and stirr with a stick to obtaine homogeneous solution.
7. Add this solution to the water container and make up the desired volume.
8. Undertake the spraying operation.

47
Results
Collect and systematically note down the information.
Table : Information required for herbicide application
Particulars Description
(A) About herbicide
1. Trade tame
2. Quantity of formulated product for given area
3. Stage of application
(B) About requirement
1. Name of equipment
2. Working condition
3. Type of nozzle
4. Walking speed
5. Spray volume for given area

48
 Exercise - 14

Application of pre emergence and post emergence he rbicides in crop field

Introduction
Pre emergence treatment : Application of herbicides soon after planting of a crop is
called pre emergence treatment. The soil should be adequately moist to induce weed
seed germination and move the herbicide 1-1.5 cm deep into the soil in a uniform film.
Post emergence treatment : Application of herbicides after the emergence of both the
crops and the weeds. When the weeds grow before the crop plants have emerged
through the soil, the herbicidal application is called as early post eme rgence
treatment. Herbicides used for these purpose are usually non-residual types.
Objective
To ensure proper application of pre and post emergence application of herbicide in
the field.
Materials
Knapsack sprayer, crop field, herbicides, water, measuring scale etc.
Procedure
1. Selection of proper herbicide.
2. Measure the cropped area.
3. Calibrate the knapsack sprayer as explained in exercise 13.
4. Compute the herbicide needed.
5. Put on hand gloves, eye glass and a cloth around the mouth.
6. Measure the amount of herbicide and put it in a bucket and stir well.
7. Add this solution to the water container of sprayer and make the desired
volume.
8. Undertake spraying operation.
9.
10.
11.

49
 12. Results
Collect and systematically note down the information.
Table : Information required for herbicide application
Particulars Description
(A) About herbicide
1. Trade tame
2. Quantity of formulated product for a given area
3. Stage of application
(B) About requirement
1. Name of equipment
2. Working condition
3. Type of nozzle
4. Walking speed
5. Spray volume for given area

50
 Exercise - 15

Application of herbicides under aquatic conditions

Introduction
Aquatic weeds are those unwanted plants which grow in water and complete at
least a part of their life cycle in water. Aquatic weeds are of two types i.e. algae and
hydrophytes. They cause harmful effects in several ways. Therefore, it is necessary to
control aquatic weeds. Herbicides can be effectively used to control those aquatic
weeds which are hard to mechanical or other control methods.
Objective
To control aquatic weeds.
Materials
Boat mounted power sprayers, herbicide, water.
Procedure
For proper application of herbicides in aquatic situation ,following steps should
be followed.
1. Survey the nature of weeds in pond or lake.
2. Selection of proper herbicide and time of application.
3. Choose an appropriate spray equipment.
4. Prepare solution of herbicide and spray it uniformly.
5. Use granular formulation of herbicides for control of submerged aquatic weeds.
Proble m 1
1. Write down names of predominant aquatic weeds

2. Which herbicides are used to control aquatic weeds.

51
 Exercise-16
Study of phytotoxicity symptoms of herbicides in different crops
Introduction

Application of herbicides on field crops results some phytotoxicity symptoms.

Higher doses of herbicides are also responsible for phytotoxicity.While conducting
herbicidal spray utmost care should be taken regarding spray concentration and drift
hazard.

Objective

To study the phytotoxicity symptoms of herbicides on crops.

Materials required

Sprayer, water, 2,4-D, paraquat, bucket, measuring cylinder etc.

Procedure

1. Carry out spray operation in standing wheat crop with 2,4-D recommended
dose.
2. Spray paraquat on Lucerne in Cuscutta infested field or blanket spray.

Observations

Phytotoxicity symptoms in wheat after a week

Phytotoxicity symptoms in lucerne after a week

52
 Exercise - 16
Farm visit to problem areas of weeds
Introduction
A field trip provides an opportunity to students to acquaint themselves with the
important crops and weeds of the farm. They are able to know the kind, diversity and
severe of weeds to an area. Similarly, they can also observe other activities going on at
the farm.
Objective
To know about the weed flora of the locality.
Materials
Note book, pencil, pen etc.
Procedure
1. Carry all the necessary things.
2. After arrival at the site, contact the farm manager.
3. Introduce yourself with the farm manager and discuss about the purpose of visit.
4. Note down the crop being grown in the problem areas. Also note down the
weeds of the locality.
5. Seek clarification on any aspect or doubts, if required.
Observations
Note down the following observations :
1. Name of the field :
2. Characteristics of the soil :
Texture :
pH :
Colour :
3. Season kharif / rabi :
4. Rainfed / irrigated :
Source of irrigation ,if irrigated :
5. Name of the crops being grown :
6. Weed flora present in the locality
Monocot (a/b/p) Dicot (a/b/p)

a – annual, b – biennial, c – perennial

53
 Annexure – I
List of common weeds
Scientific name Vernacular name English name
A. Grasses
Andropogan leniger Boor grass -
Aristida depressa Lampra grass Three own
Avena fatua L. Jangli Jai Wild oat
Cenchrus cilliaris Anjan -
C. purea White anjan -
C. setigerus Dhaman black -
Cenchrus biflorus Bhoorat, baroot Sand bur
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Doob Bermuda grass
Cyperus iria L. Dachab Umbrella sedge
Cyperus rotundus L. Motha Purple nut sedge
Dactyloctenium aegypticum (L.) Makra grass Crow foot grass
Beauv.
Digitaria ciliaris Jhernia Crab grass
Echinochloa colonum (L.) Link Jangli Dhan (sama Jungle rice
grass)
Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv. Sawan /kodon Barnyard grass (water grass)
Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Mandla/Balrara Goose grass
Eragrostis poacides Chidi grass Lover grass/stink grass
Lasirus sindicus L. Sewan grass Desert grass
Oryza sativa var. fatua Jangli rice Wild rice
Paspalum distichum - Knot grass
Phalaris minor Retz. Gullidanda / ghehu ka Little canary grass
mama
Poa annua L. Sua grass Annual blue grass
Saccharum munja L. Moonj -
Saccharum spontaneum L. Kans Thatch or tiger grass
Seteria glauca (L.) Beauv. Bandra-bandri Fox tail grass
Sorghum halepense (L.) pers. Barru/sudan grass Johnson grass
B. Kharif weeds
Achyranthus aspera Latjira/chirchitta Snake’s tail
Apamarg /Puthkkunda
Amaranthus blitum var. oleracea Sabjiwali chandlai Amaranth / pig weed
Amaranthus spinosus Kantewali chaulai Prickly amaranth
Amaranthus viridis Jangli chandlai
Boerhavia diffusa (syn. B. repens) Sati /Biskhapra Hog weed /Horse purslane
Celosia argentia L. Safed murga Cock’s comb
Citrulus colocynthis Tumba Bitter apple

54
Commelina benghalensis L. Kankana /Morabati Day flower
Cumumis callosus Kachari Small gourd
Corchorus acuntaglis Kag roti /Jangli jute Wild jute
Digitaria sanguinalis Jhernia ghas Crabgrass
Digera muricata (Syn. D. Arvensis) Lesua /Gundra/ Lohru Amaranthus
Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Jalkumbhi Water hyacinth
Euphorbia hirta L. Bari dudhi /Lal duhi Ashthma weed /garden
spurge
Euphorbia macrophylla Choti dudhi Carpet weed
Euphorbia themaphlia L. Medium dudhi -
Heliotropium subulatum & H. Kali bui Helitrop
strigosum
Indigofera deffusa Bekaria Wild indigo
Leucas inifolia Guma Leucas
Momordica diocoa Rotb Jangali karela Wild small bitter gourd
Mollugo cerviana Parpat /chiria-ro-khet Pill pod spurge
Pedarium murex Bada gokharu -
Physalis minima Papotan/Tulatipati Sunberry/ground cherry
Portulaca oleracea and P. asiatica Kulfa /Nunia Pursalane
Striga lutea & S. asiatica Runkhadi Witch weed
Trianthema portulacastrum (Syn. T. Lasabuni Horse purslane
Monogyna) Patherchatta/Satha
Tribulus terrestris L. and T. alatus L. Gokhru/Bhalri/Kantri Punctursvine
Tridax procumbens Pardeshi bhangra / -
Vernonia cinerea & V. baldwine Sahadevi /Phulni Fleabane
Vigna trilobata Jangli moth /Ark moth
Xanthium strumarium Adhasis / Banokra Wild moth cocklerbur / Bur
/Bichu weed
C. Rabi weeds
Launia asplenifolia Jangli gobi -
Bergia suffruticosa Kharbuje -
Solanum nigrum Makoy Back night shade
Orobanche aegyptiaca Sarson –banela Broomrape
Ranunculus acutus Jangli palak Buttercup
Medicago denticulata wild Jangli rajaka California bur clover
Cirsium arvense Gokhru Canada thistle
Cichorium intybus Kasni Chicory
Clitoria ternatea Titli matar Conch flower creeper
Convolvulus arvensis L. Hirankhuri Field bind weed
Fumaria parviflora Pitpapra / Gajri Fumitory

55
Chenopodium murale L. Kharthua / Bhabra Goosefoot
Chenopodium album L. Bathua Lamb’s quarters
Melilotus indica Senji (Pili) Indian clover
Melilotus alba Desr. Senji (safed) White sweet clover
Phyllanthus niruri (Syn. P. fratemus) Hazardana /Jangli amli Nirure
/ Jeramala
Polygonum pumila Jari -
Parthenium hysterophorus Congress ghass Parthenium, wild carrot weed
Angallis arvensis L. Krishna neel Pimpernel, scarlet
Plantago medica / P. rugelii / P. Jiri Plantains
lanceolata
Argemone mexicana L. Satyanashi Prick /Mexican poppy
Spergula arvensis L. Satganthia Sand weed or corn spurry
Daucus carota Jangli Gajar Wild carrot
Alium vineale Jangli lahsun Wild garlic
Brassica kaber Jangli sarson Wild mustard
Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. Pyaji Wild onion
Allium calendulosa Jangli Pyaj Wild onion
Carthamus oxyacantha Pohli Wild safflower
D. Perennial weeds
Desmostachya bipinnata Dab/Kusha -
Psoralea corylifolia Babchi -
Blumea lacera Kukranda Spreading hog weed
Eclipta prostrata L. Bhangra /Mochkand Hassk
Lantana camara Phullakri Lantana
Artemisia scoparia Barna -
Tephrosisa purpurea L. pers Dhamasa Tephrosia
Pluchea lanceolata Chhajas /Baisuri Arrow weed
Alhagi camelorum Jawasa Camelthorn
Abutilon indicum & A. poersicum Kanghi Country mallow
Crotolaria burhia Sinia Crotolaria
Cuscuta reflexa Amarbel Doddeer
Gomphrena globossa - Globe amaranth
Heliotropium ellipticum Kamera Heliotrop
Cannabis sativa Bang Hemp
Datura stramonium Datura Jimson weed
Agropyron repens - Quack grass /couch grass
Calotropis gigantea /procera Aak /Madar Swallow word
Imperata cylindrica Thatch grass Thatch grass/ Congo grass
Zizyphus nummularia Jharber Wild ber
Aerva pseudotomentosa Safed buie Bui
Caparis aphylla Ker -
Caligonum polygonoides Phog -
Leptodenia pyrotechnica Kheep -

56
Important weeds of aquatic environment of India
Emergent Typha angustala Cattail narrow weed
Paspalum distichum Paspalum
Scirpus maritimus Bulrush
Ipomea carnea Besharam
Polygonum glabrum Smart weed
Eclipta prostrata Eclipta
Floating Eichhornia crassipes Water hyacinth
Salisnia molesta Water from /salvinica
Ipomea aquatica Swamp morning glory
Azolla pinnata Azolla
Pistia stratiotes Water lettuce
Submerged Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla
Vallisnaria spirallis El weed
Potamogeton spp. Pond weed

Annexure – II
Trade name, formulation and source of common herbicides
Chemical name Trade name Formulation(%) Source
Alachlor Lasso 50 EC Monsanto
Anilofos Aniloguard, Arozin 30 EC Aventis
Atrazine Atrataf, solaro 50 WP Rallis
Butachlor Machete 50 EC Monsanto
2,4-D Knock weed Na Salt 80% Rhone-poulenc
Fernoxone. Weedmar Ethyl ester 34% Herbicide India Ltd.
Chlorimuron Kloben 20 WP Dupont
Chlorosulfuron Glean 75 WP Dupont
Clodinofop Topik 15 WP Syngenta
Clomozone Command 50 EC Rallis
Diclofop-methyl Illoxan 28 EC Aventis
Diuron Karmex,Hexuron 80 WP Dupont
Dalapon Hexapon 80 WP BASF
Fluchloralin Basalin 45 EC BASF
Fonoxaprop-ethyl Pumpasuper/whipsuper 12.5 EC Aventis
Fluazifop-butyl Fusilade 9 EC Syngenta
Glyphosate Round-up, Glycel 41 EC Mosanto /Excell
Glufosinate-Ammonium Basta/Liberty 15 SL Aventis
Isoproturon Arelon 50 & 75 WP Dupont/Gharda
Imazethapyr Pursuit 10 EC Cynamide
Loctofen Cobra 24 EC Aventis

57
Linuron Afalon 50 WP Aventis
Metolachlor Dual 50 EC Syngenta
Metribuzin Sencor 70 WP Bayer
Metoxuron Dosanex 80 WP Seark Ind. Ltd.
Metsulfuron-methyl Algrip 20 WP Dupont
Oxadiazon Ronstar 25 EC Rhone-Poulenc
Oxadiargyl Raft 6 EC, 80 WP BASF
Oxyfluorfen Goal 23.5 EC Rohm & Hass
Paraquat Gramoxone 24 EC Syngenta
Pendimethalin Stomp 30 EC Cynamid
Pratilachlor Rifit 50 EC Syngenta
Pratilachlor+Safener Sofit 50 EC Syngenta
Sulfosulfuron Leader 75 WP Monsanto
Tralkoxydim Grasp 10 EC ICI Geneca
Thiobencarb Saturn 50 EC Pesticide Ind. Ltd.
Trifuralin Teflan 48 EC De-nocil/Gharda
Annexure – III
Trade name, formulation and source of new herbicide molecules
Chemical name Trade name Formulation(%) Source
Acetachlor MON-8435, ICIA-5676 90 EC Monsanto
Acifluorfen Blazer 90 EC BASF
Ametryn Gesapax 50 WP Rallis
Bentazon Basagran 4.5 EC BASF
Bentazone-Aciflourefen Galaxy - BASF
Cnosulfuron Setoff 20 WP Syngenta
Ciefoxidim Tetris 75 EC BASF
Difenzoquat Avenge 15 EC Gharda
Dimethenamid Frontier 72 WP BASF
Dithiopyr Dimension 12 EC Rohm & Hass
Haloxyfop-methyl Focus, Gallant, Verdict 10 EC De-nocil
Imazaquin Scepter 1.5 EC Cynamid
Metribuzin+Flufenacet Domain 60 DF Bayer
Metsulfuron+Chlorimuron Almix 20 WP Dupont
Prometryn Gesagard, Prometre 50 WP Rallis /Syngenta
Propagizafop Agil 10 EC Syngenta
Pyrazosulfuron Clincher 5 WP Rallis

58
 S-metolochlor Dual Gold 98 EC Syngenta
Triasulfuron Logran 20 WP Syngenta
Tribenuron –methyl Express 10 WP Dupont
Quinclorac Facet 25 EC BASF

Annexure - IV

The world’s noxious weeds in order of severity of their damage

Weed Botanical name Common name Type of Annual or

ranking weed perennial weed
1. Cyperus rotundus (L.) Nut grass Sedge Perennial
2. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Bermuda grass Grass Perennial
3. Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv Barnyard grass Grass Perennial
4. Echinochloa colonum (L.) Link Jungli rice Grass Perennial
5. Elusine indica(L.) Gaertn. Goose grass Grass Perennial
6. Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Johnson grass Grass Perennial
7. Imperata cylindrica (L.) Thatch grass Grass Perennial
8. Eichhornia crassipes (mart). Water hyacinth Herbaceous Perennial
Solm.
9. Partulaca oleracea L. Common Herbaceous Annual
pursane
10. Chenopodium album Lambs quarter Herbaceous Annual
11. Digitaria sanguinallis (L.) Scop. Large grass Grass Annual
12. Convolvulus arvensis Field bind weed Herbaceous Annual
13. Avena fatua (L.) Wild oat Herbaceous Annual
14. Amaranthus viridis (L.) Amaranth Herbaceous Annual
15. Amaranthus spinosus (L.) Amaranth Herbaceous Annual
16. Cyperus esculentus (L.) Yellow nutsedge Sedge Perennial
17. Paspalum conjugatum Berg. Sour grass Grass Annual
/Perennial
18 Rottaboellia exaltata L.F. Raoul grass Grass Annual

59
60
Exercises for students