Pendimethalin 38.7% CS Herbicide Uses

Pendimethalin 38.7% CS is a broad-spectrum, selective pre-emergent herbicide registered for use in India under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Formulated as a capsule suspension (CS) for improved handling and more gradual release than the older EC formulation, it is applied to the soil before weeds emerge across onion, chilli, cotton, soybean, groundnut, mustard and cumin. Pendimethalin remains legally registered and sold in India; always confirm the current pack label before use. This page lists its mode of action, key benefits and the recommended crop-wise dosage as per manufacturer labels.

Which Weeds Does This Control? (Field Identification Guide)

Not sure which weed is troubling your field? This guide matches the common name farmers use to the grassy and broadleaf weeds that pendimethalin-based herbicides are commonly used to control in onion, chilli, cotton, soybean, groundnut, mustard and cumin.

Mode of Action

Pendimethalin is a dinitroaniline herbicide that inhibits cell division (mitosis) in germinating weed seedlings by disrupting microtubule formation, which is essential for root and shoot cell growth. Applied to the soil surface before weeds emerge, it forms a thin treated layer that is taken up by the germinating weed seed and emerging radicle/shoot as they push through the soil, halting further growth before the weed can establish. Because it acts on germinating weeds rather than on an established crop's foliage, correct timing — application before weed emergence and, on most labels, before or shortly after crop sowing/transplanting — is essential for effective control. The capsule suspension (CS) formulation encapsulates the active ingredient for a steadier, more gradual release into the soil compared to conventional EC formulations.

Features & Benefits

• Broad crop label covering onion, chilli, cotton, soybean, groundnut, mustard and cumin — one product for multiple field and vegetable crops.
• Pre-emergent soil action controls weeds before they can compete with the crop for nutrients, light and moisture during the critical early growth window.
• Capsule suspension (CS) formulation gives a steadier, more gradual release than conventional EC formulations, improving consistency of control.
• Broad-spectrum activity against a wide range of grassy and broadleaf weeds including Echinochloa, Digitaria, Amaranthus, Portulaca and Commelina species.

Recommended Usage of Pendimethalin 38.7% CS Herbicide

The table below gives the commonly recommended dose, water volume and waiting period per acre for each crop, as listed on manufacturer labels for this active ingredient. Always confirm against the current product label before use, including the correct pre-emergence application timing relative to sowing/transplanting.

Doses above are the commonly listed formulation-label rates for Pendimethalin 38.7% CS, rounded to practical spray-tank quantities. Waiting periods vary considerably by crop; always confirm the current pack label/CIB registration and consult your local agricultural extension office for the latest guidance before harvest.

How to Use

1. Identify your crop and confirm the correct dose per acre and the correct pre-emergence application window (relative to sowing or transplanting) from the current product label.
2. Dilute the required quantity in a small amount of water, then mix this gradually into the full spray tank volume while stirring continuously so the capsule suspension disperses evenly.
3. Spray using a knapsack or power sprayer fitted with a flat-fan nozzle onto moist, well-prepared soil, ensuring uniform coverage of the field surface before weeds emerge.
4. Avoid disturbing the treated soil layer after spraying (through hoeing or heavy irrigation runoff), as this can break the herbicide barrier and reduce weed control.
5. Ensure adequate soil moisture at and after application, as pendimethalin's soil-surface activity depends on the germinating weed seed coming into contact with the treated layer.

Precautions & Safety

• Wear appropriate PPE — mask/respirator, gloves, goggles and full-sleeved clothing — while mixing and spraying.
• Apply strictly as a pre-emergence treatment within the labelled window; late application after weeds have already emerged gives poor control since pendimethalin does not control established weeds.
• Store in the original, tightly closed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, food, feed and out of reach of children and livestock.
• Respect the waiting period (PHI) listed for each crop above before harvesting, and follow your local agricultural extension advice for the latest guidance.
• Avoid repeated, back-to-back use of the same herbicide mode of action on the same field across seasons; rotate with herbicides from different groups as part of a resistance-management program.
• Wash hands, face and any exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water after handling or 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.