Tembotrione 34.4% SC Herbicide Uses

Tembotrione 34.4% SC is a selective, post-emergence herbicide from the triketone chemical group, registered for use in India under the Insecticides Act, 1968, formulated as a suspension concentrate (SC). It is registered specifically for the control of grassy and broadleaf weeds in maize, applied as a post-emergence spray over the standing crop. This page lists its mode of action, key benefits and the recommended dosage for maize as per the official Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) list of approved herbicide uses (Government of India), cross-checked against manufacturer labels.

Which Weeds Does This Control? (Field Identification Guide)

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

Mode of Action

Tembotrione belongs to the triketone chemical class within the HPPD (4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase) inhibitor group of herbicides (Group 27 / Group F2). It works by blocking the HPPD enzyme, which is essential for synthesising carotenoid pigments in plants. Carotenoids protect chlorophyll from breaking down in sunlight, so when their synthesis is blocked, susceptible weeds lose this protection and their new growth turns white or bleached in appearance — this is why herbicides of this class are commonly called "bleaching herbicides". Bleached tissue gradually turns necrotic (brown) and the weed dies over roughly one to three weeks. Maize tolerates tembotrione at the recommended dose because it rapidly metabolises (detoxifies) the herbicide into inactive compounds before it can act, whereas susceptible weeds cannot detoxify it fast enough — this differential metabolism is what gives the herbicide its crop selectivity.

Features & Benefits

• Broad-spectrum post-emergence control of grassy weeds (Echinochloa, Brachiaria) and troublesome broadleaf weeds (Trianthema portulacastrum) in a single spray in maize.
• Distinctive HPPD-inhibitor ("bleaching herbicide") mode of action — visible whitening of susceptible weeds within days confirms the herbicide is working, well before full plant death is apparent.
• Selective to maize when applied at the recommended dose and crop stage, allowing safe use as an in-season post-emergence spray.
• Useful as a resistance-management tool in maize weed-control programs, since Group 27 has a different mode of action from the older ACCase- and ALS-inhibitor herbicides commonly used in cereals.

Recommended Usage of Tembotrione 34.4% SC Herbicide

The table below gives the recommended dose, water volume and waiting period per acre for maize, 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.

Tembotrione 34.4% SC is registered in India only for use in maize — no other crop use is documented in the CIB&RC list. The dose above is converted from the CIB&RC-registered per-hectare rate (120 g a.i./ha, 286 ml formulation/ha, 500 litres water/ha; 1 ha ≈ 2.47 acres), which agrees closely with manufacturer label rates. Always confirm the current product label and PHI/waiting period before use.

How to Use

1. Confirm your field is sown with maize — this herbicide's label covers maize only, and it is not recommended for any other crop.
2. Since this is a suspension concentrate (SC), shake the container well before use, then measure the recommended dose and add it directly to the spray tank, half-filled with water, stirring continuously; top up to the required water volume with continued agitation.
3. Spray uniformly as a post-emergence application once weeds have emerged and are actively growing — follow the crop-stage window on the current product label for best results.
4. Use a knapsack or power sprayer fitted with a flat-fan nozzle for uniform coverage, and spray during calm, dry weather — avoid spraying in windy conditions or when rain is expected within a few hours, as this reduces efficacy and increases drift.
5. Do not tank-mix with other herbicides of a different chemistry unless specifically recommended on the label, and avoid spray drift onto neighbouring non-maize crops, as this HPPD-inhibitor class can cause severe injury to sensitive broadleaf and vegetable crops.
6. Do not re-sow the treated field with a crop other than maize within the season without checking the label's rotational-crop restrictions.

Precautions & Safety

• Wear appropriate PPE — mask/respirator, gloves, goggles and full-sleeved clothing — while mixing and spraying.
• Tembotrione belongs to Group 27 (HPPD-inhibitor); avoid repeated, season-after-season use of the same mode-of-action group on the same field, and rotate with herbicides from a different group as part of an integrated weed-management program to delay resistance development.
• Follow the recommended dose and application window strictly — both underdosing (poor weed control and faster development of resistant weed populations) and overdosing (potential crop injury) reduce field performance.
• Do not spray on a maize crop that is under stress from waterlogging, drought or nutrient deficiency, as this can increase the risk of crop injury.
• Respect the labelled waiting period (PHI) of 55 days for maize before harvest, and follow your local agricultural extension advice for the latest guidance.
• 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 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.