Glyphosate is an excellent herbicide, effective against many types of weeds. However, many people are unsure about how many days it takes for glyphosate to kill weeds. Let's explore this topic.
How Long Does Glyphosate Take to Kill Weeds?
Glyphosate is a systemic, non-selective herbicide. In low temperatures, its effectiveness is slower. Generally, it takes 5-7 days for the weeds to show signs of yellowing, and about two weeks for the weeds to gradually die. If glyphosate is used in summer when temperatures are higher, the weed-killing process will be a few days faster.
How to Enhance Glyphosate's Weed-Killing Effectiveness
Step 1: Apply at the Right Temperature
Glyphosate is less effective in low temperatures, taking up to 15 days for complete weed death. In higher temperatures, such as in summer, the process speeds up by a few days. For optimal results, apply glyphosate when the temperature is between 20-30°C. However, avoid applying at midday when temperatures are highest, as the weed stomata close, making it harder for the herbicide to be absorbed.
Step 2: Apply When Weeds are Fully Developed
Glyphosate needs to be absorbed by the weeds to be effective. Therefore, it is recommended to spray glyphosate when the weed leaves are fully open. This ensures the weeds can absorb the herbicide completely, maximizing its effectiveness.
Step 3: Consider Tank Mixing
To increase glyphosate's effectiveness, you can mix it with other herbicides or add adjuvants such as detergent or specific surfactants to enhance penetration. This improves glyphosate's weed-killing performance.
Recommended Herbicide Mixtures with Glyphosate
1. 2,4-D Dimethylamine Salt
2,4-D Dimethylamine Salt is a phenoxyacetic acid hormone-type herbicide with strong systemic properties. When mixed with glyphosate, weeds typically start showing signs of toxicity on the same day, and complete weed death occurs within 3-7 days.
2. Bispyribac-Sodium + Glyphosate
This mixture combines glyphosate with bispyribac-sodium, creating a non-selective herbicide. This combination compensates for glyphosate's weaker performance against certain weeds such as goosegrass, horseweed, nutsedge, thistle, and field bindweed. It also speeds up the weed-killing process, expanding the range of weeds controlled. Generally, weeds show signs of toxicity on the same day of application, with complete death occurring within 3 days, 7-10 days faster than using glyphosate alone.
Conclusion
The above information provides a detailed guide on how long it takes for glyphosate to kill weeds and how to enhance its effectiveness. While glyphosate's weed-killing process is relatively slow, it has low toxicity and is a commonly used herbicide worth considering in weed management practices.
