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Pendimethalin pre-emergence herbicide

Pendimethalin is a dinitroaniline pre-emergence herbicide widely used in India across cotton, soybean, maize, pulses, groundnut, onion and rice. It is among the most-used pre-emergent active ingredients globally, originally developed by American Cyanamid in the 1970s.

Composition / Active ingredient

  • Active ingredient: Pendimethalin
  • Modern formulation: 38.7% CS (capsule suspension; BASF Stomp Xtra and equivalents)
  • Older formulation: 30% EC (higher volatility, more crop-staining)
  • Chemical class: Dinitroaniline

Mode of action

Pendimethalin inhibits microtubule assembly during mitosis by binding to plant tubulin. Without functional spindle fibres, dividing cells cannot complete chromosome separation, and the seedling dies during germination — usually before the cotyledons emerge. HRAC Group 3 (microtubule assembly inhibitor).

The CS formulation gives:

  • Reduced volatility losses to air
  • Longer soil residual (30-50 days under normal moisture)
  • Lower phytotoxicity to crop seedlings
  • Less crop yellowing/staining compared with EC

Target use and dose

Pre-emergent application — within 1-3 days of sowing on moist soil — is critical for activity, since pendimethalin must form a thin chemical barrier at the soil surface to kill emerging weed seedlings. Standard rates:

  • Cotton: 600-700 ml/acre
  • Soybean, pulses, groundnut: 600-1000 ml/acre depending on label
  • Onion (transplanted): 500-700 ml/acre after transplanting

Pendimethalin controls annual grasses (Echinochloa, Setaria, Digitaria) and small-seeded broadleaves (Amaranthus, Digera, Trianthema); it does not control established weeds or sedges.

Safety and regulatory status

Pendimethalin binds strongly to soil organic matter; leaching is minimal. Pre-harvest interval is generally not relevant since the herbicide is applied at sowing. To extend weed control beyond the residual window, pendimethalin is typically followed by post-emergent passes — Agil Propaquizafop Cotton for grasses, Hitweed Maxx Cotton / Kevat Ultra Cotton for broadleaves and grasses combined.

See also: Pendimethalin Cotton Preemergent, Pretilachlor Craze, Agil Propaquizafop Cotton, Hitweed Maxx Cotton, Ipfencarbazone Dinkar.

References

  1. Stomp Xtra. BASF India.
  2. ANTALIS — Pendimethalin 38.7% CS. Albaugh India.