India depends significantly on cotton as a vital commercial crop. However, its slow growth in the initial growth stages and wider row spacing allows different weed species to grow and compete for water and nutrients, hindering cotton’s development and reducing crop yields. If the weeds are left unchecked, they could cause a yield loss of about 50 – 85%. To address this problem, effective weed management practices can be approached through integrated techniques including physical, mechanical, cultural, and chemical measures.
Weeds in cotton fields can be broadly classified into two main categories: grass weeds and broad-leaved weeds. Grass weeds typically have long, narrow leaves that are parallel-veined, while broad-leaved weeds have wider leaves that are often branchy-veined.
Type of Weeds | Common weeds in cotton fields |
Grass weeds | Cynodon dactylon, Echinocloa crusgalli, Dactyloctenium aegypticum, Cyperus deformis, Cyperus rotundus, Dinebra retroflexa |
Broad-leaved weeds | Amaranthus viridis, Chenopodium album, Commelina benghalensis, Euphorbia hirta, Parthenium hysterophorus, Trianthema portulacastrum, Digera spp |
Manual weeding using hoes or sickles is important to be carried out to reduce the weed population in the field. Do one hand weeding at 45 DAS, after application of pre-emergence herbicide. If no pre-emergence herbicide is applied at the time of sowing, give two hand weeding at 18 – 20 DAS and other at 45 DAS. Or you can run blade harrows at 20-25 DAS and 45-50 DAS in between the crop rows to remove the weeds.
(*DAS – Days after sowing)
Knowing the types of weeds, i.e., grass weed or broad-leaved weed present in cotton fields can help growers develop more effective weed management strategies tailored to the specific weeds present.
Herbicides can be applied pre- or post-emergence to control weeds in cotton fields. Care should be taken to select the appropriate herbicide based on the weed species and crop stage. The critical period for weed control in cotton fields is the first 45 days. Use selective herbicides to target specific weeds while reducing the risk of harm to non-target species and the surrounding environment.
Spray Pre-emergence herbicide Pendimethalin 30% EC at 1.2 liter per acre or 6 ml per liter of water, three days after sowing. It kills both grasses and broad-leaved weeds, thus protecting crops during early and critical days of their growth.
Time of Application – Inter-row application at 15 – 30 DAS or at 2 – 4 leaf stage of weeds
Product name | Technical content | Dosage | Type of weeds it controls |
Agil Herbicide | Propaquizafop 10% EC | 2 ml/lit of water | Grass weeds |
Dozo Maxx | Pyrithiobac sodium 6% + Quizalofop ethyl 4% MEC | 2 ml/lit of water | Both broad and narrow leaved weeds |
Targa Super or | Quizalofop Ethyl 5% EC | 2 ml/lit of water | Grass weeds |
Ryusei Herbicide | |||
Hitweed Herbicide | Pyrithiobac sodium 10% E C | 1 ml/liter of water | Broad leaved weeds |
Whip Super Herbicide | Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 9.3 % EC | 1.5 ml/lit of water | Grassy weeds |
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