Farmers advised on seed treatment, irrigation and scientific weed control to prevent yield losses in Rajnandgaon district
Published on: December 30, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
With wheat sowing almost completed in most villages of Rajnandgaon district, the Agriculture Department has issued a timely advisory to farmers to protect their crops from pests, diseases and weeds. In some pockets, wheat sowing is still underway, and early signs of pest infestation and weed growth have been reported, which could adversely impact crop health and productivity if not managed properly.
According to the advisory, late-sown wheat crops are more susceptible to termite infestation, which can significantly reduce yield by damaging plant roots. The department has emphasized seed treatment as one of the most effective preventive measures against termites and other soil-borne pests. Farmers have been advised to treat wheat seeds with Chlorpyrifos at 0.9 gram per kilogram of seed, Thiamethoxam 70 WS at 1 gram per kilogram, or Fipronil (Regent 5 FS) at 0.3 gram per kilogram before sowing. Proper seed treatment helps in reducing pest incidence and ensures healthy crop establishment.
In timely sown fields, if termite attack is noticed, immediate irrigation is recommended as it helps suppress termite activity. The advisory also notes that the pink stem borer is commonly found in fields with reduced tillage. Farmers are advised to spray Quinalphos (Ekalux) at 800 ml per acre on the foliage as soon as the pest is detected.
For effective weed management, the Agriculture Department has issued specific recommendations based on weed type. In case of narrow-leaf weeds, Clodinafop 15 WP at 160 grams per acre or Pinoxaden 5 EC at 400 ml per acre should be sprayed. For broad-leaf weeds, 2,4-D E at 500 ml per acre or Metsulfuron 20 WP at 8 grams per acre is recommended. Adequate and timely irrigation also plays a crucial role in minimizing crop losses due to weeds.
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For combined control of narrow and broad-leaf weeds, farmers can apply Sulfosulfuron 75 WG at 13.5 grams per acre or a combination of Sulfosulfuron + Metsulfuron WG at 16 grams per acre, either before the first irrigation or 10–15 days after sowing. As an alternative, Mesosulfuron + Iodosulfuron 3.6% WDG at 160 grams per acre may also be used.
In early-sown, high-yielding wheat varieties, initial yellowing of the crop is sometimes mistakenly identified as rust disease. The department clarified that such yellowing may be physiological. In such cases, farmers are advised to spray Chlormequat Chloride 50% at the first node stage (50–55 days after sowing) using 160 litres of water per acre.
For the control of Phalaris minor (locally known as kanaki or gulli danda), farmers should spray Pyroxasulfone 85 WG at 60 grams per acre within 0–3 days of sowing, either alone or in combination with Pendimethalin 30 EC at 2 litres per acre. Alternatively, a pre-mix of Aclonifen 450 + Diflufenican 75 + Pyroxasulfone at 500–800 ml per acre can be used. After the first irrigation, within 10–15 days, Clodinafop + Metribuzin 12+42 WP at 200 grams per acre is also recommended.
The Agriculture Department has urged farmers to strictly follow these scientific recommendations and contact local agricultural officers for guidance to ensure healthy crop growth and higher wheat production during the current rabi season.
