THE MOST IMPORTANT LAND CLEARING HERBICIDE

The rain season is just by the corner and it becomes very critical for farmers to acquire their inputs in time and when they do so it becomes even more critical to use those inputs correctly/efficiently/effectively to get the best results out of them and thus enhance productivity.

This is very important since farming is a business, the return per dollar invested is the most important aspect. One of the most critical agronomy issues in farming is weed management, remember yield losses can go up to as far as 60% or more if weed management is not done properly.

So Agri-preneurs, Agricura PVT Limited brings you a technical dose of the day pertaining weed management in particular the most important land clearing herbicide:
GLYPHOSATE

It is one of the most advanced herbicides/weedkillers on earth. It incorporates a highly effective systemic action.

Glyphosate is sprayed on to the leaves of the weeds. It’s absorbed through the leaves and enters the plant’s sap stream. It is carried to the growing points of the weed’s roots and shoots. Glyphosate kills the leaves, shoots and roots. Soil is left ready for replanting.

Because it kills right down to the root, Glyphosate will eradicate almost all weeds, including deep-rooted perennials such as Lantana camara and problematic weeds such as couch grass (kapinga/tsangadzi) shamva grass and many more.

Why is Glyphosate recommended?

Glyphosate is one of the safest weedkillers available when it’s used correctly.

One of the reasons for this is because Glyphosate deactivates upon contact with soil and is degraded by micro organisms.

KEY POINTS TO NOTE

Glyphosate is a post emergent herbicide (applied on emerged weeds) that are actively growing, inongoshanda chete pane sora rakamera uye ririkuratidza kuti harina kuneta panguva yatirikumwaya mushonga wedu.
It is pointless to apply Glyphosate on a relatively cleaner fields, remember Glyphosate is NOT a Pre-emergent herbicide, haishandiswi kana pasina sora rakamera mumunda medu.
It has no effect in the soil. Glyphosate is a NON selective herbicide, haina chainosarudza inouraya chese chiri mumunda chakamera panguwa yatinoimwaya.
This means we can NOT apply Glyphosate when our crop is already in the field, hazvikwanisike kumwaya mushonga we Glyphosate kana mbeu dzamera mumunda nekuti inouraya neidzo mbeu dzedu, donzvo redu nderekuuraya sora kwete kuuraya mbeu.

What is the application rate per hectare?

Application rate depends on the types of weeds that are in any given piece of land, it also depends on the density of the weeds, zvinobva nemhando neuwandu hwesora huri mumunda menyu, whether there is couch grass, shamva grass, pfende, ndave, or whether its just annual grasses and broad leaved weeds. Normally we use higher rates for perennial grasses, some of which have just been mentioned.
It also depends on the age of the weeds at the time of application, are they newly emerging weeds (young weeds), are they average sized weeds or whether they are very old weeds.

Considering the factors mentioned above, the application rate therefore ranges from 1 – 8 litres per hectare, the mostly used average application rate being 4 litres per hectare.

How many days before planting?
NB. This entirely depends on the farmers intentions and prevailing field and seasonal conditions, not forgetting the state of the weeds at any given time.
Time ranges from 1 month before planting up to 2 – 3 days after planting, for those crops that propagate through seeds, this means for transplantable crops its strictly before transplanting.

Can i mix Glyphosate with Pre-emergent herbicides? 
Yes, very possible and recommended for example soon after planting your maize, for those that intend to grow maize again the next season. Let’s say there are already emerged weeds at the time of planting mybe munhu arikudyara zvekucheka ma lines zviye (zero tillage) or mybe sora ranga rati kurey zvekuti harife rese nekurima, one can have this combination immediately after planting:
Glyphosate 4.5 litres + S-Metolachlor 1 litre + Atrazine 3.5 litres per hectare, all mixed in 200 – 250 litres of water.
However as a rule, always refer to the LABEL, for specific instructions and compatibility.