Development of alternative herbicides

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 137 views

Introduction

Corn is one of the most important cereal crops in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, known for being the second largest corn-producing region in the country. To achieve optimal corn production, effective weed management is crucial. One of the major weeds that interfere with corn growth is Eleusine indica (E. indica). Farmers in Simalungun Regency commonly use paraquat herbicides to control the growth of these weeds. However, the increasing resistance of E. indica to paraquat herbicides poses a significant threat to corn productivity in the region. This study aims to map the distribution and frequency of the population E. indica that is resistant to paraquats in the Simalungun Regency corn land, as well as exploring the possibility of alternative herbicides to deal with the problem of herbicide resistance in the area.

Methodology

This research was conducted in three stages between February 2019 and January 2020, by collecting 59 samples from 13 main corn-producing sub-districts in Simalungun Regency. The first stage involves the screening of the population E. indica that is resistant to paraquat using the highest dose of 600 g b.a. Ha-1. The screening results show that of the 59 populations, as many as 47 corn land (80%) was identified by resistance to paraquat, 9 land (15%) showed the level of moderate resistance, and 3 land (5%) was still sensitive to the herbicide. This shows that the level of resistance E. indica of paraquat varies between 20.83% to 100%.

In the second stage, a cross-resistance test on 47 population has been identified. This test uses two categories of herbicides, namely pre-growth (such as Atrazin, Diuron, and Indaziflam) and full-growth (such as paraquat, glyifosat, ametrin, ammonium glufosinate, and topramezone). The findings of the cross-resistance test show that 31 populations have resistance to 2 to 4 types of herbicides. Cross-resistance was identified occurred in ametrin and atrazin, while double resistance was found in paraquat herbicides, glyphosate, ametrin, ammonium glufosinate, and atrazine.

The third stage involves a dose-response test in four specific populations (SIM-1, SIM-21, SIM-47, and SIM-55) by applying five types of herbicides (paraquat, glyphosate, ametrin, ammonium glufosinate, and atrazin). Observation of death parameters and dry weight E. Indica indicates that as an increase in the dose, the percentage of E. indica that can survive and its dry weight has decreased. Interestingly, the values of LD50 and GR50 do not show significant changes despite the time variability of herbicide use.

Results and Discussion

The results of this study show that E. indica in Simalungun Regency has shown a significant level of resistance to paraquats and several other types of herbicides. This finding is important for the development of more effective weed management strategies, with the possibility of using alternative herbicides to reduce the risk of resistance. With a better understanding of the dynamics of weed resistance, it is expected that corn productivity in Simalungun Regency can continue to increase, maintaining regional and country food security.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has provided valuable insights into the distribution and frequency of the population E. indica that is resistant to paraquats in the Simalungun Regency corn land. The results of this study highlight the need for more effective weed management strategies, including the use of alternative herbicides to reduce the risk of resistance. By understanding the dynamics of weed resistance, it is expected that corn productivity in Simalungun Regency can continue to increase, maintaining regional and country food security.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Development of alternative herbicides: The development of alternative herbicides that are effective against E. indica and other weeds is crucial to reduce the risk of resistance.
Integrated weed management: The use of integrated weed management strategies, including cultural, mechanical, and biological control methods, can help to reduce the reliance on herbicides and minimize the risk of resistance.
Monitoring of weed resistance: Regular monitoring of weed resistance is essential to detect the emergence of resistant populations and to develop effective management strategies.
Education and training: Education and training programs for farmers and other stakeholders are necessary to raise awareness about the importance of effective weed management and the risks associated with herbicide resistance.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Investigation of the genetic basis of herbicide resistance: Further research is needed to understand the genetic basis of herbicide resistance in E. indica and other weeds.
Development of new herbicides: The development of new herbicides that are effective against E. indica and other weeds is crucial to reduce the risk of resistance.
Evaluation of integrated weed management strategies: Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of integrated weed management strategies in reducing the risk of herbicide resistance.
Development of decision support tools: The development of decision support tools that can help farmers and other stakeholders to make informed decisions about weed management is essential to reduce the risk of herbicide resistance.

Q1: What is the significance of this study?

A1: This study is significant because it aims to map the distribution and frequency of the population E. indica that is resistant to paraquats in the Simalungun Regency corn land, as well as exploring the possibility of alternative herbicides to deal with the problem of herbicide resistance in the area.

Q2: What are the main findings of this study?

A2: The main findings of this study are that E. indica in Simalungun Regency has shown a significant level of resistance to paraquats and several other types of herbicides. This finding is important for the development of more effective weed management strategies, with the possibility of using alternative herbicides to reduce the risk of resistance.

Q3: What are the implications of this study for corn productivity in Simalungun Regency?

A3: The implications of this study for corn productivity in Simalungun Regency are that it is expected that corn productivity can continue to increase, maintaining regional and country food security. This is because a better understanding of the dynamics of weed resistance can help to develop more effective weed management strategies.

Q4: What are the recommendations of this study for farmers and other stakeholders?

A4: The recommendations of this study for farmers and other stakeholders are to develop alternative herbicides, use integrated weed management strategies, monitor weed resistance, and educate and train farmers and other stakeholders about the importance of effective weed management and the risks associated with herbicide resistance.

Q5: What are the future research directions of this study?

A5: The future research directions of this study include investigating the genetic basis of herbicide resistance, developing new herbicides, evaluating integrated weed management strategies, and developing decision support tools to help farmers and other stakeholders make informed decisions about weed management.

Q6: How can this study contribute to the development of more effective weed management strategies?

A6: This study can contribute to the development of more effective weed management strategies by providing valuable insights into the distribution and frequency of the population E. indica that is resistant to paraquats in the Simalungun Regency corn land. This information can be used to develop more effective weed management strategies, including the use of alternative herbicides and integrated weed management approaches.

Q7: What are the limitations of this study?

A7: The limitations of this study are that it was conducted in a specific region (Simalungun Regency) and may not be generalizable to other regions. Additionally, the study only focused on E. indica and may not have considered other weeds that may be present in the region.

Q8: How can this study be replicated or extended in the future?

A8: This study can be replicated or extended in the future by conducting similar studies in other regions, investigating the genetic basis of herbicide resistance, developing new herbicides, and evaluating integrated weed management strategies.

Q9: What are the potential applications of this study?

A9: The potential applications of this study are that it can be used to develop more effective weed management strategies, improve corn productivity, and maintain regional and country food security.

Q10: How can this study contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture practices?

A10: This study can contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture practices by providing valuable insights into the distribution and frequency of the population E. indica that is resistant to paraquats in the Simalungun Regency corn land. This information can be used to develop more effective weed management strategies that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.