Pendimethalin 29.75% + Metribuzin 11.25% ZC Herbicide Uses

Pendimethalin 29.75% + Metribuzin 11.25% ZC is a ready-mix, selective herbicide combining pendimethalin (dinitroaniline group) and metribuzin (triazinone group), registered for use in India under the Insecticides Act, 1968, formulated as a ZC — a mixed formulation of a capsule suspension and a suspension concentrate in water. It is registered for the control of grassy and broadleaf weeds such as makra, sanwak, doob ghaas, gulli danda, bathua, chaulai, makoy and bishkhapra in pigeon pea (arhar), potato and tomato. 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

Pendimethalin is a microtubule-assembly inhibitor (HRAC Group 3, formerly Group K1). Applied to the soil surface, it forms a herbicide layer in the top soil; as weed seeds germinate, it stops cell division in their roots and shoots, so most seedlings — especially grasses and small-seeded broadleaf weeds — die before or just as they emerge. Metribuzin is a photosystem II inhibitor (HRAC Group 5, formerly Group C1). It is taken up mainly by the roots of germinating and young weeds and moves upward to the leaves, where it blocks photosynthesis; affected seedlings show yellowing and browning from the leaf edges and tips and then die.

The combination is used because it brings together two different modes of action — Group 3 and Group 5 — in one application. Pendimethalin is strongest on grassy weeds, while metribuzin is strongest on broadleaf weeds, so together they cover a wider range of weeds, and using two modes of action at once also helps slow the development of herbicide resistance.

Features & Benefits

• Two modes of action (HRAC Groups 3 and 5) in a single ready-mix product.
• Controls both grassy weeds (makra, sanwak, viper grass, crabgrass, doob ghaas, jangli mandua, gulli danda) and broadleaf weeds (bathua, chaulai, tandla, bishkhapra, makoy, dudhi, bhui amla, jangli halon).
• Registered for pigeon pea (arhar), potato and tomato.
• Soil-applied action stops weeds as they germinate, so the crop gets an early, weed-free start.
• The ZC formulation combines a capsule suspension and a suspension concentrate and mixes readily in water.

Recommended Usage of Pendimethalin 29.75% + Metribuzin 11.25% ZC 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): Pigeon pea — 696 + 264 g a.i./ha (pendimethalin + metribuzin), 2000 ml formulation/ha, 500 L water/ha, waiting period 184 days; Potato — 696 + 264 g a.i./ha, 2000 ml formulation/ha, 500 L water/ha, waiting period 124 days; Tomato — 696 + 264 g a.i./ha, 2000 ml formulation/ha, 500 L water/ha, waiting period 71 days. Always confirm the current product label before use.

How to Use

1. Identify the weeds commonly found in your field using the guide above and confirm that the crop and weeds match the approved uses.
2. Apply to the soil surface before the weeds emerge — generally soon after sowing or planting — following the product label for the exact timing in your crop.
3. Prepare a fine, clod-free seedbed; the soil should have adequate moisture at the time of spraying for the herbicide layer to work well.
4. Shake the container well, add the measured dose to a half-filled spray tank and top up with clean water while stirring.
5. Use a knapsack sprayer with a flat-fan or flood-jet nozzle and spray the soil surface uniformly, walking backwards so you do not step on the treated soil; do not overlap spray swaths.
6. Avoid disturbing the treated soil surface (for example by hoeing) for the first few weeks after application.

Precautions & Safety

• Respect the waiting period (PHI) between application and harvest: pigeon pea 184 days, potato 124 days and tomato 71 days.
• Use only in the crops registered by CIB&RC; metribuzin can injure sensitive crops, so follow the label on soil type, crop variety and dose, and do not exceed the recommended dose.
• Avoid spray drift onto neighbouring sensitive crops.
• Pendimethalin belongs to herbicide Group 3 and metribuzin to Group 5; rotate with herbicides of other groups and 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.