Top 5 Types of Herbicides and Their Uses: Agriculture Guide

What is Herbicide?

Herbicide is a chemical substance that is designed to control or kill unwanted plants, usually called weeds. This chemical is a major class of crop protection chemical which is commonly used in agriculture. It boosts productivity and reduces manual labor. These include both natural and chemical herbicides.

How Do Herbicides Work?

While this is the most effective and protective chemical, lets understand how it actually works. 

Herbicides work based on absorption and where they act in the plant. 

1. Systemic Herbicide:  It works by being absorbed by leaves or roots and translocated throughout the plant to kill the entire weed, including roots.

2. Contact Herbicide: In this, it only affects the part of the weed it touches, but requires multiple application for completely work effectively.

Top 5 Types of Herbicides and Their Uses: Every Farmer Must Know

The following are the different types of Herbicide and their usages every farmer should be aware of before using:

1. Selective Herbicides

By the name, you can make a guess easily. These herbicides specifically target particular types of weeds without harming any crop. Usually, farmers use selective herbicides for controlling weeds in- 

>> Cereal fields, 

>> Vegetable farms

>> Other crops where weed species differ from the crop.

Best For: In crop weed control, where crops and weeds are different species.

2. Non Selective Herbicides

This specifically kills or damages all the plant types they get in contact with. That is the reason itis commonly used to clear land before planting, manage vegetation on field borders, or prepare fields for crop rotation.

Some of the non-selective Herbicides:

• ?Glyphosate? is a commonly used ones which is effectively works against a broad range of weeds.

• ?Paraquat? is the contact herbicide which often used for quick vegetation burn down. 

3. Pre Emergent Herbicides

This one is applied before weed seeds germinate. Pre Emergent Herbicides prevent weed growth early in the season by creating a barrier in the soil. This later inhibits seedling development. Some common examples are Pendimethalin and Trifluralin.

4. Post Emergent Herbicides

Slightly different from the Pre Emergent Herbicide, the Post Emergent Herbicide is applied after weeds have emerged and are actively growing. It targets visible weeds during the growing season, either selective or non selective, based on weed and crop type. The common type of Post emergent herbicide is Dicamba.

5. Systemic vs. Contact Herbicide Groups

Instead of crop timing or selectivity, another type of herbicide categorize based on how they act.

Systemic Herbicides: It absorbed and transported throughout the plant. This kills roots and shoots, like Glyphosate and Dicamba.

Contact Herbicides: They only affect the sprayed plant parts and stay there, just like Paraquat and Diquat.

Learning about the systemic herbicide action is especially useful in perennial weed control and deep rooted weed species management.

Read More: How to Use Weed Mat for Agriculture - Step-by-Step Guide 

What Types of Herbicides in India Farmer Use?

In India, herbicides are the cornerstone of weed management across major crops like-

>> Paddy

>> Sugarcane

>> Maize

>> Pulses.

Many chemical herbicides are designed for local weed flora and cropping systems. Farmers in India combine Pre Emergent and Post Emergent herbicides based on crop stage and weed challenge.

Explore the best plant growth promoters: Best Plant Growth Regulators - Types, Usage, and Price in India 

Final Words

Herbicides become an essential need in weed control in agriculture. By understanding every type and its uses, you will be able to get the proper knowledge before applying. To ensure healthier crops and higher yields. So farm confidently and avoid weeds in your farms!