Instructions for use of the herbicide Sickle, mechanism of action and consumption rates

Systemic herbicides, penetrating the weeds, quickly stop the growing season and lead to the death of the plants. They are used for chemical weeding of fields. Sickle is a post-emergence herbicide intended for cleaning soybean and pea crops from various types of weeds. Let's consider the features and rules for using the popular drug.

Composition and release form of the drug Sickle

The basis of the drug is a herbicide of the imidazolinone class, produced since 1984. The active ingredient, imazethapyr, is contained in a concentration of 100 grams per liter. The drug is a water-soluble concentrate. Packaged in 5 and 10 liter canisters.

Mechanism of action of the drug

Imazethapyr is absorbed by the leaves and root parts of sensitive plants and passes through the conductive system to the growth points of weeds. The active substance inhibits protein biosynthesis and disrupts the processes of reconstitution of nucleic acids.

As a result, all parts of the meristem are suppressed, and weed growth stops within a few hours.

Photosynthesis is not disrupted, so weeds still turn green, but do not grow and gradually die.

Reference: Sickle is classified as a highly selective drug - it is harmless to the protected crops and is adsorbed only by weeds. At significant concentrations and penetration into the soil, germination from seeds does not occur.

Pros and cons of weed killer

Experts highlight the following advantages of using the herbicide Sickle:

• acts on weeds at different stages of growth - seedlings, vegetative plants;
• long period of protective action;
• allows spraying in different ways, applied to the soil and after germination, on growing weeds;
• the effect applies to many types of weeds;
• is quickly absorbed, which allows the herbicide to be used in rainy seasons.

Among the disadvantages of the Serp, the following are noted:

• cultivation of the sown area is allowed once every 3 years;
• restrictions on crop rotation - from 4 months - for winter wheat, up to 26 months - for vegetable crops, rapeseed.

After 2 years, sowing of any crops on treated fields is allowed without restrictions.

For which crops is it suitable and application rates for them?

The drug is used against weeds in legumes. Cereal and dicotyledonous weeds are sensitive to Sickle. Directions for use:

To process a hectare of crops, 200 to 300 liters of the finished mixture are used.

How to prepare a working mixture

The spraying solution is prepared immediately before treatment, on special concreted areas. The container is filled one third with water, and the herbicide is poured in with constant stirring, after shaking the preparation in the container.

Add water. The hydromixer works continuously during spraying so that the drug does not settle and the mixture remains homogeneous.

Processing technology

The instructions prescribe to follow the following rules when processing crops with a sickle:

1. Acceptable processing times are incorporation into the soil before sowing (depth - up to 6 centimeters), immediately after sowing, before germination, at the initial stages of weed growth.
2. Temperature norms are 10-25 ° (ideally above 15 °).
3. Absence of unfavorable conditions for the protected crops - drought, pest damage, cold snap.
4. The best time for processing: for legumes - 2-3 leaves, for weeds - up to 4 leaves. If the soil is moistened during these periods and the temperature is favorable, the amount of herbicide can be reduced by 25-50%.

The drug is administered only 1 time. The effect of the herbicide is enhanced by constant moderate moisture in the soil. During heavy rainfall, the drug is washed into the lower layers of the earth without having the necessary effect.

Safety precautions

Safety rules include:

• preparing the solution and spraying in special suits;
• the working mixture is diluted on prepared sites;
• spray by ground method;
• Do not use near bodies of water.

Also, the herbicide is not intended for use on private farms and dachas.

Toxicity of the drug

The herbicide belongs to class 3 hazardous substances, that is, it is moderately dangerous. The green part cannot be used for livestock feed earlier than 45 days after applying the Sickle.

Next year, it is recommended to plant grains or corn in fields treated with herbicide, and any crops after 2 years. You can reuse the Sickle on the field after 3 years.

Compatibility with other pesticides

The sickle is not used together with graminicide-based drugs. During the season, treatments with herbicides containing sulfonylurea and other imidazolinones are not recommended.

If the weeds have become hardened or overgrown, the effect of the Sickle should be enhanced with adjuvants or mineral oil.

Storage period and conditions

Utility rooms for chemical preparations are used to store the herbicide. Shelf life – 2 years in undamaged packaging, storage temperature – from -5 ° to +30 °.

Similar means

Analogs containing imazethapyr are the following drugs:

• Viaduct;
• Vidblock Plus is a two-component herbicide;
• Golf;
• For Soya;
• Pivot;
• Tactician.

These herbicides are used to protect legumes; they are economical and not dangerous to animals and bees.

Correct use of herbicides does not harm soils and crops and allows you to get an excellent harvest. The sickle is alternated with preparations containing other active substances in order to avoid manifestations of resistance in legumes and to create reliable protection against ubiquitous weeds.