Carfentrazone-ethyl 40% DF Herbicide Uses

Carfentrazone-ethyl 40% DF is a selective, post-emergence contact herbicide of the triazolinone group, registered for use in India under the Insecticides Act, 1968, formulated as a dry flowable (DF) granule that disperses in water. It is registered for the control of broadleaf weeds such as bathua, senji, krishnaneel, jangli matar and jangli palak in wheat, and of broadleaf weeds and sedges (motha) in direct-seeded rice. This page lists its mode of action, key benefits and the recommended dosage as per the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) official list of approved herbicide uses (Government of India).

Which Weeds Does This Control? (Field Identification Guide)

Not sure whether the weeds in your field match this herbicide's use case? This guide helps match weed identification to this herbicide's approved crop-wise uses.

Mode of Action

Carfentrazone-ethyl is a protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor (HRAC Group 14, formerly Group E). Taken up by the green leaves and stems, it blocks the PPO enzyme in the chlorophyll-making pathway; this causes a toxic build-up that, in sunlight, ruptures the cell membranes of the weed. It acts mainly by contact with very limited movement inside the plant, so symptoms appear fast — water-soaked spots within hours, followed by browning and drying (necrosis) of the treated leaves within 2–3 days, and death of susceptible broadleaf weeds within about 1–2 weeks. Because it acts only where the spray lands, thorough coverage of the weed foliage is essential.

Features & Benefits

• Controls a wide range of broadleaf weeds in wheat, including bathua, senji, maina, krishnaneel, jangli matar, ankari, kateli, jangli palak and sonchal.
• In direct-seeded rice it controls broadleaf weeds such as jangli laung, tandla, bhui amla and bhringraj, along with Cyperus sedges (motha).
• Fast contact action — visible scorching of the weeds within a few days of spraying.
• Very low dose per acre in a dry flowable (DF) formulation that disperses readily in water.
• Group 14 (PPO inhibitor) mode of action differs from the Group 2 (ALS) and Group 4 (synthetic auxin) herbicides commonly used against broadleaf weeds in wheat, making it a useful rotation option.
• It is a broadleaf and sedge herbicide only — it does not control grassy weeds such as gulli danda (Phalaris minor) or wild oat, which need a separate grass herbicide.

Recommended Usage of Carfentrazone-ethyl 40% DF Herbicide

The table below gives the recommended dose, water volume and waiting period per acre for each crop, converted from the CIB&RC-registered per-hectare rate — see the note below the table for conversion details. Always spray in the recommended water volume for uniform coverage, and confirm against the current product label before use.

Figures above are converted from the CIB&RC-registered per-hectare rates (1 ha ≈ 2.47 acres): Wheat (25–35 days after sowing) — 20 g a.i./ha, 50 g formulation/ha, 400 L water/ha, waiting period 80 days; Direct-seeded rice (10–15 days after sowing) — 25 g a.i./ha, 62.5 g formulation/ha, 300 L water/ha, waiting period 102 days. Always confirm the current product label before use.

How to Use

1. Identify the weeds in your field using the guide above and confirm that the crop and weeds match the approved uses.
2. Spray at the registered crop stage — 25–35 days after sowing in wheat, or 10–15 days after sowing in direct-seeded rice — when the weeds are young and actively growing.
3. Weigh the dose accurately; because the amount per acre is very small, first mix it into a little water to make a smooth slurry, pour it into a half-filled spray tank and top up to the full volume while stirring.
4. Use a knapsack sprayer with a flat-fan or flood-jet nozzle and cover the weed foliage uniformly; do not overlap spray swaths.
5. Spray in calm, clear weather when no rain is expected for several hours.
6. Clean the sprayer thoroughly with water after use, especially before using it on broadleaf crops.

Precautions & Safety

• Respect the waiting period (PHI) between the last spray and harvest: 80 days in wheat and 102 days in direct-seeded rice.
• Use only in the crops registered by CIB&RC (wheat and direct-seeded rice); avoid spray drift onto neighbouring broadleaf crops such as mustard, pulses and vegetables, which can be scorched.
• Minor leaf spotting or scorching may sometimes appear on the treated crop; do not exceed the recommended dose.
• Carfentrazone-ethyl belongs to herbicide Group 14; avoid relying on a single herbicide group season after season, and rotate or combine with other weed-control methods to slow resistance development.
• Wear appropriate PPE — mask, gloves, goggles and full-sleeved clothing — while mixing and spraying, and avoid inhaling the spray mist.
• Do not let spray, spray-tank washings or leftover solution reach ponds, canals, streams or drinking-water sources.
• Store in the original, tightly closed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, food and feed, and out of reach of children and livestock.
• Wash hands, face and any exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water after spraying, and change out of contaminated clothing before eating, drinking or smoking.

Brand names mentioned on this page are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced here for identification purposes only; FarmMate is not affiliated with or endorsed by these brands. This page is for general information only — always consult your local agricultural extension office and confirm the current product label before use.