Weeds are the scourge of gardens and vegetable gardens. But if you ignore the fact of their existence, you can hardly dream of a good harvest. Among gardeners, they often talk about the herbicide Total, which is increasingly attracting users. But before using the drug, you need to learn more about the properties of the continuous action herbicide and its use for the destruction of perennial and annual weeds.
Composition, properties and release form
The basis of the drug Total is the active substance glysophate, the second name of which is isopropylamine salt. The chemical compound in the drug is not presented in pure form, but in the form of an aqueous solution.
If there are 480 g of glysophate per liter of water, the herbicide is called Total 480. To purchase a less concentrated solution, choose Total 360.
Properties
Main properties of the herbicide:
- economy and efficiency;
- does not concentrate in the surrounding environment;
- does not carry residual soil and water effects. Disintegrates in 2 weeks into simple formations;
- continuous action drug;
- spraying with the drug does not disrupt crop rotation;
- when used correctly, it frees land from harmful weeds that cannot be controlled by other means;
- Total destroys hydrophytic weeds. Recommended for combating sedges, cattails and other representatives;
- the drug acts as a desiccant before harvesting.
Release form
Herbicide Total is available in canisters of 10 and 20 liters.
Advantages and disadvantages of herbicide
The advantages include the following:
- minimal product consumption for spraying large areas;
- efficiency of use on erosive soil;
- good compatibility with similar drugs;
- compatibility with nitrogenous fertilizers;
- use at any air temperature;
- effective destruction of vegetation, including perennials.
Even such an effective remedy has drawbacks. The effect of the herbicide is reduced in the presence of dust on the plants or high humidity. And during severe drought or severe frosts, the substance is not able to get to the roots.
Scope of activity of Total
The herbicide is used to treat agricultural land or personal farms to remove weeds.The scope of action of the drug is the destruction of weeds that are not amenable to other means and mechanical influence.
In garden plots, the herbicide is used for the same purpose, but Total is not recommended for use where plantings are less than 3 years old.
How the drug works
Total penetrates deep into the plant after hitting the foliage. It enters the stems, other organs and reaches the roots. Thanks to glyphosate, the cellular structure of the weed is destroyed and the growing points are corroded. The plant dies. Other organs, aboveground and underground, die.
Speed and duration of impact
Symptoms of the gradual influence of the drug:
- Foliage: yellowing, then browning, then wilting.
- The death of parts of the plant: stems, then roots, and finally underground shoots.
Symptoms of herbicide exposure appear on annual weeds 3-4 days after treatment. On perennials - for 7-10 days. The death of the weeds occurs within 10-15 days. But a delay of up to 30 days is possible. It all depends on the weather and the type of weed.
Consumption rates
The calculation is carried out depending on the type of weeds that will be processed. For annual weeds you need 2-4 liters per 1 ha. For perennials, the norm is increased to 4-6 liters.
Preparation of working solution
The preparation of the solution is carried out strictly according to the instructions:
- Calculate the required dosage depending on the area of the treated area.
- Fill the container halfway with water.
- Total is added while constantly stirring the solution.
How to use it correctly?
Process according to instructions. For the procedure you will need a sprayer. According to the rules, spraying is performed once a season. The timing depends on the modification of the weed and its stage of development.
- Annual weeds are treated when the first 2 leaves form.
- Perennial weeds are sprayed during the formation of rosettes.
- To treat cereal weeds, stem growth is taken into account. The height of annual weeds should not exceed 5 cm.
- The use of herbicide for perennial grass is reasonable when the stem height is 10-12 cm.
Important! Before preparing to spray with Total herbicide, it is recommended to check the weather forecast. If rain is expected within the next 6 hours, treatment does not make sense.
Precautions and storage
It is not recommended to treat with herbicide if the wind force is more than five meters per second. In strong winds, the chemical may fall on the crops being grown. To prevent this from happening, the lower branches of shrubs are cut off and the rest are covered with agricultural material or a casing.
Since the drug is of the third class of danger, it is stored at 5-35 ° C in a closed container with a tight lid.
Similar means
Continuous herbicides:
- Tornado 500 BP;
- Greider, VGR;
- Napalm-480;
- Octopus Extra;
- other.
If you follow the instructions and rules for using the drug, gardeners will successfully get rid of weeds without harming cultivated specimens.
