Chapter 5: Herbicides and Its Application Techniques

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Chapter 5: Herbicides and Its Application
Techniques

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 Chapter 5: Herbicides and Its Application Techniques
5.1 Definition and Introduction
•The term ‘pests’ can refer to insects, mammals, weeds, birds, microorganisms, and these are
just to name a few. In order to eliminate these pests, various types of pesticides are used,
some of which are as follows:

Herbicides - a weed killer that is toxic to plants

Rodenticides - used to eliminate rodents
•Insecticides - a method for poisoning insects

•Pesticides are chemicals that may be used to kill fungus, bacteria, insects, plant diseases,
snails, slugs, or weeds among others. These chemicals can work by ingestion or by touch and
death may occur immediately or over a long period of time.
•Pesticides are chemicals used to control pests. 3
 Definition and Introduction…
• Herbicides are a subcategory of pesticides.
• Herbicide comes from the Latin herba meaning “plant,” turf and vegetation and the suffix
cide meaning “killer.”
 Therefore, herbicides are chemical substance used to kill or manipulate undesirable
vegetation, especially weeds.

 The definition accepted by the Weed Science Society of America (Vencill, 2002, p. 459) is
that an herbicide is “a chemical substance or cultured organism used to kill or suppress the
growth of plants.”
 Herbicides are also commonly known as weed killers.

 Herbicides disrupt the physiology of a plant (weed) over a long period to kill it or severely
limit its growth.
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 Cont…
• Herbicides reduce or eliminate labor and machine requirements and modify crop
production techniques.
• When used appropriately, they are production tools that increase farm efficiency, reduce
horsepower, and perhaps reduce energy requirements.
• Understanding the nature, properties, effects, and uses of herbicides is essential if one is to
be conversant with modern weed management.

Weed management is not accomplished exclusively by herbicides, but they dominate in the
developed world.
• Whether one likes them or deplore them, they cannot be ignored.

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 5.2 Merits and demerits of herbicides (see chapter 4)
5. 3 Classification of herbicides
• Although there are several methods of herbicide classification, no single one is
completely adequate.
• This is because of the great diversity of uses, sites of action, and chemical families.
• In spite of the inadequacy of all systems of classification, all are used because
each has some utility.
1. Based on method of application there are two groups of weed killer.
A . Soil applied herbicide: are categorized in to soil steriliant & soil fumigants.
• Soil steriliant herbicides may be permanent (>2 years) or temporary (volatile after
16 weeks).
• These temporary herbicides prevent the growth of weeds temporarily.
• Permanent used to control weeds around road sides, building areas.

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 Classification of herbicides…
B. Foliage applied: it is post emergence chemical. After emergence of the crop but
before or after weed emergence. E.g:
•Glyphosate/Roundup/- It is non selective but use in row crops by covering crops like
plastic sheet.
•2,4-D (2,4-di chloro phenoxy acetic acid)- selectively kill only broad leaved plants.
2. Based on time of application
•There are three times when herbicides are applied and each can be specified
relative to the weed or the crop.
A. pre-planting: E.g. EPTC (ethyl diprophyl thio carbamate), amitrole can vanish
noxious grassy weeds.
B. pre-emergence to the crop, the weed, or both. It is after planting, but prior to
emergence of the crop or weed. E.g. Diuron
C. post-emergence applications after the crop, weed, or both have emerged.
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 Classification of herbicides…
3. Based on mode of action
A. Systematic/translocated/- chemicals can move from point of application to site of
action through the plant system.
E.g. Glyphosate,2,4-D- could apply on top or root then translocated to the plant system.
B. Contact herbicide- are non systemic/non translocated/. which kills only or retards
the growth of those plants which comes in direct contact.
•It may require complete coverage. E.g. Paraquate, Sulphuric acid, Sodium arsenite,
Ammate - attack at site of action.
4. Based on selectivity herbicides can be
A . Selective herbicides: kill the target weeds in a mixed population. E.g. 2,4-D
•Selective herbicides kill or stunt weeds in a crop without harming the crop.

•b. Non-selective herbicides: kill any plant in a mixed population E.g. Paraquate
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 Classification of herbicide…
5.Based on chemical structure
a. Inorganic herbicides: it's synthetically manufactured in a lab. Do not contain carbon
atoms in their molecules.
•–E.g. arsenic acid, sulphuric acid, sodium arsenate, sodium chlorate, borax, copper
sulphate.
b. Organic herbicides: made from chemicals that naturally occur in nature. Do
contain carbon atoms in their molecule.
•–They may be oil or non oil.
•–Majority of the present day herbicides are organic compounds which are non oil.
6. Based on spectrum of control
a. broad spectrum= can kill many types of weed species
b. narrow spectrum= kill only one or few weed specie
7. Status of residues: a. residual=persist for long time e.g. 2,4,D & EPTC
•b. Non residual = have no long persistency. e.g Diquate, amitrol in activating the soil
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 5.4. Herbicide formulation
5.4.1 Why herbicides are formulated?
• Typically, pure herbicide molecules are of limited value to the end user.

• To give them practical value and usable most herbicides are combined with appropriate
solvents or surfactant to form a product called formulation.
• Formulation is a process by which a pure chemical substance is prepared and made
available for use in a form that will improve handling, storage, application, efficacy, and
safety.
• Formulation usually make the product easier to apply and more convenient to handle.
Generally reasons for herbicide formulation are:
1)To reduce the concentration of active ingredient
2)To permit uniform distribution of active ingredient
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 cont…

3)To reduce the level of contamination and hazard during application and handling
4)To protect active ingredient from degradation
5)To improve shelf-life of the herbicides

6)To reduce the cost of weed control

The formulation includes mixing of active ingredient and inert ingredients such as
solvents, stickers, surfactants, wetting agents, and carriers.

Active ingredient (a.i): a chemical in commercial product that is directly responsible

for its herbicidal effects
•Inert Ingredient (i.i) - other materials added with the a.i when the product is
formulated
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 Adjuvants
An adjuvant is any material that is added to a herbicide solution to enhance or modify the
performance of the solution. Or any chemicals which improve herbicidal effects.

•They don’t act by increasing the innate (inborn) activity of any herbicide but, they
merely aid its availability in region of the plant where it is needed.
•Adjuvants are used in herbicidal spray solutions as: wetting agent, penetrants,
spreaders, co-solvents, stickers and stabilizing agents.
•Adjuvants are either included in herbicide formulation as a part of the total product, or
are sold as an additive to be mixed with herbicide products in a spray thank.

•Generally there are three basic types of adjuvants used with herbicides.
1.Activator adjuvants: includes surfactants, wetting agents, penetrants and oils.
•are the best know class of adjuvants because they are normally purchased separately
by the user and added to the solution in the spray tank.
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 adjuvants…
2. Spray modifier agents: include stickers, spreaders, thickening agents, film
formers, and foams.
3. Utility modifiers: include emulsifiers, dispersants, stabilizing agents, coupling
agents, Co-solvents, compatibility agents and anti-foam agents.
•Utility modifier agents, and to a lesser degree spray modifier agents, are usually
found as part of the herbicide formulation and, thus, are added to the herbicide
product by the manufacturer.
•In general, adjuvants may be added to the herbicides:
•a)To improve herbicide selectivity to non-target plants
•b)To make herbicide safer to user
•c)To prolong shelf life of the concentrates
•d)To reduced drift hazards

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 Types of Formulations

• A single active ingredient often is sold in several different kinds of formulations.

• You must choose the formulation that will be best for each use.

• In making your choice, consider:

– application equipment available and best suited for the job,

– hazard of drift and runoff (nearness to sensitive areas, probability of wind or

rain),
– safety to applicator, helpers, and others likely to be exposed,

– growth patterns of the plant and

– Cost of formulation
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 Types of formulation…
1. Dry Formulations
•a) Wettable Powder (WP or W)

•WPs are finely ground solids, typically mineral clays, to which an a.i is sorbet.

•They provide an effective way to apply an a.i in a water spray that is not readily soluble
in water.
•These dry preparations look like dust, contain a high percent a.i (usually contains 50%
or more) and are mixed with water for application.
•WPs form a suspension rather than true solution when added to water.

•Good agitation (mixing) is needed in the spray tank to maintain the suspension.
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•They can be abrasive to pumps and nozzles.
 Dry formulation…
• The powdery nature of this formulation provide an inhalation hazard to the
applicator during mixing and loading.
• Example: Spike 80W.
• Advantages of WP:
• –Easy to store, transport and handle, and
• –Relatively inexpensive.
• Disadvantages of WP:
• –Inhalation hazard
• –requires high agitation
• –may clog strainer and screens,
• –abrasive to sprayers,
• –residues may be visible, and
• –difficult to clean up from porous surfaces.
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 Dry formulation…
• b) Soluble Powder (SP)
• This is also a dry formulation that contains a high percent (usually > 50 %) a.i.
• SP are look like WP but they form a true solution when added to water.
• Agitation in the spray tank will help this formulation to dissolve.
• After dissolving, no more agitation is usually needed.
• Few herbicides are available in this formulation because few a.i.s are soluble in
water.
• Soluble powders are non abrasive to equipment.
• Inhalation hazard is also a characteristic of this formulation. Example: solution.

• Advantages:
• Easy to mix, limited agitation required, and easy to store, transport, and handle.

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 Dry formulation…
• Disadvantages of SP:
• Inhalation hazard while pouring powder and
• Difficult to clean up from porous surfaces.

• C) Water Dispersible Granule or Dry Flowables (WDG or DF)

• These are manufactured in the same way as WP except that the powder is
aggregated into granular particles.
• Usually contains 70 to 90 % a.i.
• The formulation pours easily without the wind blown.
• Constant agitation is required.
• Because of their larger particle size, inhalation hazard is reduced.
• The labels of some dry flowables do permit application of the product in the dry
state, with special application equipment.
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 Dry formulation…
d) Granule (G)
•This is a ready-to-use dry mixture of a small amount of a.i. (1 to 15 %). with inert carriers.

•Most are made by applying a liquid formulation of the active ingredient to coarse particles (granules) of some
porous material such as clay, sand or plant material.
•Granule particles are much larger than dust particles (0.1 -1mm) ; will pass through a 4-mesh sieve but not through
an 80-mesh sieve.
•Inert ingredients may be added to make the formulation handle well.

•Granular formulations should always be used dry (never mix them with water).

•Granules should not be applied to frozen soil or on steep slopes.

•Since all are soil active, application in close proximity to root systems of non-target plants is also a special hazard.

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 Dry formulation…
• The relative large particle size of granules minimizes drift potential and reduces inhalation
hazard.
• Granules also have a low dermal hazard.

• Examples: Top-Site, Sprakill 13, Arsenal 0.5 G.

e) Pellet (P)
• Pellets are similar to granules, but their manufacture is different.

• The a.i is combined with inert materials to form slurry (a thick liquid mixture).

• This slurry is cut at desired lengths to produce a particle that is relatively uniform in size and
shape, but is much larger than a granule.

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 Dry formulation…
• Pellets are similar to granules in that they are ready to use, are applied in the dry form, and
contain a small amount of a.i (usually 10 to 20 %).
• Pellets are applied by hand or mechanically, and are used for soil treatment.
• pellets should not be applied to frozen soil like G.
• Pellets provide a high degree of applicator safety.
• Ready to use,-easily applied by hand,-and reduced applicator hazard,-minimum drift
potential, and and-effective spot treatment method.

• Active ingredient expensive,-hazardous on steep slopes, close to desired plants, and on

frozen soil,-bulk quantities necessary can be logistical problem, and-difficult to spread
uniformly around obstacles.
• Example: Spike 20P
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 2. Liquid Formulations…
• Liquid formulations do not exhibit the variety of physical forms possible with dry
formulations.
• However, liquid formulations differ markedly in the nature of their characteristics
that influence selection, rate and method of application, and environmental impact.
A) Water-Soluble Concentrate (WSC)
• Water-soluble concentrates form a true solution when added to water and are applied with
water as the carrier.
• These herbicides usually have an amine (ammonium salt) or mineral salt in the molecule
that enables water solubility.
• These formulations are essentially non-volatile.
• There are usually 2 to 6 pounds of a.i per gallon of formulation.
• Agitation is not necessary to maintain the herbicide in solution.

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 Liquid formulation…
B) Emulsifiable Concentrâtes (EC or E)
•An EC formulation usually contains the a.i, one or more petroleum solvents, and an emulsifier
that allows the formulation to be mixed with water.
•ECs usually contain 2 to 8 pounds of a.i per gallon.

•These concentrates are soluble in oil and form an emulsion in water.

•The emulsion-forming characteristic results from the addition of adjuvants.

•EC show milky colored appearance when mixed with water.

•Usually by-pass agitation is sufficient to keep the emulsion from separating.

•There usually is a dermal (skin contact) hazard associated with this formulation.

•Phytotoxic hazard usually greater than water soluble concentrate

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 Liquid formulation…
C) Flowable or Aqueous Suspension (FL or AS)
•In this formulation, very finely ground solid material is suspended in a liquid.
•Liquid flowables usually contain a high concentration (4 pounds or more) of a.i and are mixed
with water for application.
•The formulation has the same major characteristics as a Wettable powder;
–it forms a suspension when added to water, and
–it enables the application of water-insoluble herbicides in water.
•Advantages:
–can be mixed with water, and no inhalation hazard. They seldom clog spray nozzles and they
need only moderate agitation

•Disadvantages:
–agitation is needed after mixing, and may leave a visible residue.
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 5.5 Herbicide application and types of treatments

• Methods of herbicide application: for soil acting chemicals

1)Surface application: herbicides are applied to the soil surface.
–herbicide left under the bed, on soil or mix 3.5-4cm depth & maximum up to 8cm.
2)Sub-surface laying: applied herbicide slightly below the soil surface 8-10cm
–the chemical is incorporate by deeper machine
–Perennial & annual weeds can be control.
–E.g. carbamate – against Cyprus rotundus
Nitracine – against Convolvulus arvensis.
3) Broadcast application: is coverage of the entire area with herbicide
4) Band application: application of herbicide in a band directly over the crop row 25
Herbicide application…
5) Soil fumigation:
A . soil injection herbicide injected at certain interval by injector. E.g. chloropicrin.

B . under plastic sheet cover – apply chemical then cover with plastic for a certain period E.g.
methyl bromide

C. soil surface fumigation E.g. methane.

•Methods of application for foliage acting herbicide

a) Directed application: is application of herbicide to soil or weeds between crop rows

b) Spot application: The application of herbicide only to selected areas of the field that are
infested with problematic (parasitic) weeds, living the non-weedy areas /weed gaps/ E.g.
Methylene blue 26
 Cont…
c) Protected spraying: non selective herbicide could apply. Need to protect the crop by plastic
sheet to protect crop damage
d) Stem injection: Is injection of translocated herbicides into the xylem, and phloem to kill
woody weeds
e) Herbigation: application of herbicide through irrigation system.

Terms used in related with herbicide application:

1. Nozzle height: is the distance between the nozzle tip and the target to be sprayed (plant or
soil)
2. Swath width: the width of the sprayed area per single journey.
•This varies with the sprayed height and angle of the nozzle.

3. Nozzle flow rate: is the rate (in litters/unit time) at which a liquid is propelled out of the
nozzle.
•It is affected by size of the orifice, nozzle pressure, and type of solution (formulation)

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 Cont…
4. Walking speed: An ideal speed for manual operated sprayers is 3-4 ft/sec and for tractor
mounted sprayers is 3-6 km/h.
5. Application rate: is the volume of liquid that a sprayer can apply per unit area of the target.
•It is affected by swath width, pressure, nozzle flow rate, walking speed, number of nozzles, and
viscosity of the liquid.
•The three steps to be determined prior to the herbicide application are:
–Dosage of a herbicide,
–sprayer calibration, and
–the amount of herbicide formulation to be added to the sprayer tank.

6. Spray drift: it is movement of water particles from the site of application to the adjoining
field with wind.

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 Cares during application:
1.Wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended on the label.

2.Use the label rate.

3.Use application equipment that is calibrated, properly maintained, and adjusted for the crop
being treated.

4.Use separate equipment for applying herbicides.

5. Shut off the spray nozzles when you turn.

6. Wear gloves to replace or clean plugged nozzles.

7. Spray when human activity nearby is unlikely

8. Do not work alone when handling very toxic pesticides.

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9. Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, and touching your face during pesticide application.
 Cares during application…
10. Wash before eating, drinking, smoking or using the toilet.

11. Have fresh water available for emergency.

12. Prevent herbicides from contaminating non target areas.

13. Keep the direction of wind during spray.

14. The weather should be:

Not sunny day, Not rainy, Cloudy, Early morning or Late after noon

15. Remove clothing immediately if pesticide gets inside.

16. Remove PPE immediately after handling of herbicide.

•Wash the outside of gloves before removing.
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•As soon as possible, wash thoroughly and change into clean clothing.
 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Applicators and other handlers must wear:

• Long-sleeved shirt and long pants or coverall

• Waterproof gloves

• Shoes plus socks

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning/maintaining PPE.

• If no such instructions for washables, use detergent and hot water.

• Keep and wash PPE separately from other laundry.

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 5.6 Sprayer calibration; Herbicide calculation
• Sprayer calibration includes preparing the sprayer for proper use and then calibrating or
calculating the delivery rate of the sprayer under operating conditions.
• To estimate the required amount of herbicides in a unit area within a specified time we have
to follow the following step
1. Measure the small area. Find out its area in sqm (10x10) = 100 m 2
2. Pour measured quantity of water in tank of sprayer (water) = A litter
3. Spray the area uniformly with pump and nozzle to be used for spray and record the time taken
to spray the test plot repeat this step and at least twice and record the average time e.g 50 sec.
4. Measure the left over water in tank (water) = B litter
5. Calculate the amount of water after actually used for spraying the plot by subtracting (A-B) =
C litter e.g 2 litter
6. For 100 m2 water needed = C litter
• Therefore spray liquid for 1 ha = C x 10,000m/100 where C amount of water used,
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Cont.…

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 5.6. Types of Herbicide Toxicity
• Toxicity of a chemical:

• is a measure of the harmful effects liable to be produce by that chemical. OR:

• the quality or potential of a substance to cause injury or illness.

• There are two types of toxicity as indicated below.

• 1.Acute toxicity- The ability of a substance to cause injury or illness shortly after exposure to
a relatively large dose.

• Acute toxicity results from a single but larger dose

• 2.Chronic toxicity- The ability of a substance to cause injury or illness after repeated
exposure to small doses over an extended period of time
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 Expression of herbicide toxicity
• Toxicity of herbicides is most commonly expressed on the basis of median lethal dose or
simply as LD50 (the quantity of a chemical calculated to be lethal to 50% of the organisms in
a specific test situation).
• This lethal dose is expressed in weight of the chemical (mg) per unit of body weight (kg) of
the test animal.
• The chemical may be feed orally (oral LD50) to the animal (rat), or applied to the skin
(dermal LD50) (rabbit), or the animal can be also exposed to the vapor form of the chemical
(LC50 - lethal concentration).
• Herbicide with low LD50 is more toxic than one with a high LD50.

• The classification of pesticides according to their toxicity is indicated on the next table
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Cont…

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 Symptoms of poisoning
• Symptoms of mild poisoning: Headache, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, anxiety, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite.
• Symptoms of moderate poisoning: Vomiting, trembling, blurred vision, stomach cramp,
rapid pulse rate, excessive perspiration, constricted eye pupils, fatigue and nervous distress.
• Symptoms of severe poisoning: convulsion, respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, loss
of pulse and death.

Because of their toxicity herbicides must be handled, and disposed

accurately.

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 The End
Tanks very well
I wish good luck !

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