Roundup Herbicide is one of the most successful and widely used herbicides produced by Bayer Agrochemicals. Known for its effective weed control properties, this herbicide is used in various settings, ranging from agricultural fields to non-cropped areas like industrial sites, roadsides, and orchards.
Key Technical Details of Roundup Herbicide
- Technical Name: Glyphosate 41% SL
- Mode of Entry: Contact herbicide
- Mode of Action: Roundup is a post-emergent herbicide, meaning it works after weeds have emerged from the soil. It is a non-selective herbicide, capable of killing most types of plants, whether they are broad-leaved or grasses. The active ingredient, Glyphosate, inhibits the EPSP synthase enzyme, crucial for the synthesis of aromatic amino acids in plants. By blocking this enzyme, the herbicide disrupts the plant’s metabolic functions, leading to its gradual death.
Key Features and Benefits of Roundup Herbicide
- Broad Spectrum, Non-Selective Herbicide: Roundup can effectively target both annual and perennial weeds, offering broad-spectrum weed control.
- Targets Various Weed Types: It eliminates both broad-leaved weeds and grasses, providing comprehensive control over a wide variety of weed species.
- Fast-Acting: The herbicide is rain-fast within 2 hours of application, meaning it will not be washed away by rain after this period, making it effective even in unpredictable weather.
- Versatile Usage: It is suitable for use in non-cropped areas, such as industrial sites, roadsides, and the borders of agricultural fields, as well as in crops like tea and rice.
Recommended Crops and Application Details
Roundup herbicide is applied on various crops for weed control, following specific dosage instructions. Below are the details for its application:
| Crops | Target Weeds | Dosage per Acre (litres) | Dilution in Water (L) | Dosage per Litre of Water (ml) | Waiting Period (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea | Axonopus compresus, Cynodon dactylon, Imperate cylindrica, Polygonum perforiatum, etc. | 1 – 1.2 | 200 | 5 – 6 | 21 |
| Non-cropped Areas | Sorghum helipense, various dicot and monocot weeds | 1 – 1.2 | 200 | 5 – 6 | – |
| Rice | Echinochloa crusgalli, Echinochloa colonum, Cyperus iria, Eclipta alba, Marsilia quadrifoliata | 1 | 200 | 5 | – |
Method of Application
The recommended method for applying Roundup Herbicide is through ground-level spraying on young, newly emerged weeds. For rice fields, the product must be applied at least three days before planting the crop, ensuring the weeds have already emerged. It should not be used on standing rice crops under any circumstances.
Additional Information
- Roundup is prohibited from being shipped to certain states like Kerala, Punjab, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
- For large quantities (20 liters), cash on delivery (COD) is not available in all states.
Why is Roundup prohibited from being shipped to certain states?
Roundup is prohibited from being shipped to states like Kerala, Punjab, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh due to concerns over its environmental and health impacts. The primary active ingredient in Roundup is Glyphosate, which has been linked to several issues:
- Health Concerns: Glyphosate has been associated with potential risks to human health, particularly cancer. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. This has led to stricter regulations in certain states.
- Environmental Impact: Glyphosate can have negative effects on biodiversity, soil health, and water sources. In agricultural states like Kerala and Punjab, concerns about its impact on the environment, including groundwater contamination and harm to non-target species, have led to restrictions.
- Sustainable Agriculture Practices: States like Kerala promote organic farming and discourage the use of chemical herbicides that could disrupt sustainable practices.
- Precautionary Measures: Some state governments have imposed bans or restrictions as a precautionary measure until further research can conclusively determine the safety of glyphosate.
Other Popular Brands Of Glyphosate In India.
In India, Roundup is a well-known herbicide brand with the active ingredient Glyphosate, but there are several other herbicide brands with similar formulations that are also used across the country. Here are a few herbicide brands with Glyphosate that are similar to Roundup:
- Glycel – Manufactured by Excel Crop Care Ltd, Glycel contains Glyphosate 41% SL and is widely used in agriculture for controlling weeds.
- Unison – Produced by Crystal Crop Protection, Unison is another popular herbicide containing Glyphosate 41% SL and is used in various crops for weed control.
- Ranger – Manufactured by Dow AgroSciences, Ranger is a Glyphosate-based herbicide used for non-selective weed control in non-cropped areas and industrial sites.
- Weednil – Produced by Indofil Industries, Weednil contains Glyphosate 41% SL and is commonly used in agriculture to control both annual and perennial weeds.
- Hitweed – Manufactured by Dhanuka Agritech, Hitweed is also a Glyphosate-based herbicide that is used for effective control of a wide range of weeds in various crops and non-cropped areas.
Conclusion
Roundup Herbicide, with its Glyphosate 41% SL formula, is an extremely effective solution for managing a broad range of weed species in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. Its fast action, broad-spectrum capability, and ease of application make it a popular choice for farmers and other users seeking to control weeds effectively. With specific application guidelines for different crops, Roundup ensures targeted weed elimination while helping maintain crop health and field productivity.