Herbicide in Centre`s proposed ban list of 27 sees all-time high sale in Punjab
(WorldNews India)

While the Centre has already issued a draft order banning the manufacturing and sale of 27 pesticides, a herbicide in this list has seen maximum sale in Punjab this Kharif season. This pre-emergent herbicide is Pendimethalin and the reason behind its high sale is Punjab bringing highest ever area under Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) this year. This herbicide is mandatory for paddy sown with DSR which is compromised by weeds that compete with the plants for nutrition, sunlight, and water. This pre-emergent herbicide, which had no other alternative, is sprayed simultaneously at the time of sowing. Experts said that around 12-15 lakh litres of Pendimethalin was sold in Punjab this year and if...