Farmers advised on seed treatment, pest control measures and weed management to safeguard yield in Rajnandgaon district
Published on: December 30, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
With wheat sowing nearly complete in most villages of Rajnandgaon district, the Agriculture Department has issued a comprehensive advisory to help farmers protect their crops from pests, diseases and weeds. In some areas, wheat sowing is still underway, and reports of termite infestation, stem borers and weed problems have begun to surface. These challenges, if left unmanaged, can adversely affect crop growth and overall production.
According to the advisory, late-sown wheat crops are more vulnerable to termite attacks, which can damage roots and reduce yields. Farmers have been advised to adopt seed treatment as a highly effective preventive measure. Wheat seeds can be treated 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. Proper seed treatment helps minimize the impact of termites and other soil-borne pests and ensures healthy crop establishment.
For timely sown crops, if termite infestation is noticed, immediate irrigation is recommended as it helps reduce pest activity. The advisory also highlights that the pink stem borer is more prevalent in fields with minimal tillage. Upon detection of the pest, farmers should spray Quinalphos (Ekalux) at a dose of 800 ml per acre on crop foliage.
The Agriculture Department has also provided detailed guidance on weed management. For narrow-leaf weeds, farmers are advised to spray Clodinafop 15 WP at 160 grams per acre or Pinoxaden 5 EC at 400 ml per acre. For controlling broad-leaf weeds, 2,4-D E at 500 ml per acre or Metsulfuron 20 WP at 8 grams per acre is recommended. Adequate irrigation also plays a supportive role in reducing weed-related losses.
For combined control of narrow and broad-leaf weeds, Sulfosulfuron 75 WG at 13.5 grams per acre or Sulfosulfuron + Metsulfuron WG at 16 grams per acre should be sprayed either before the first irrigation or 10–15 days after sowing. As an alternative, Mesosulfuron + Iodosulfuron 3.6% WDG at 160 grams per acre can also be used.
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In early-sown, high-yielding wheat varieties, initial yellowing of the crop is sometimes mistaken for rust disease. The department clarified that this may be a nutritional or physiological issue. In such cases, the first spray of Chlormequat Chloride 50% should be applied at the first node stage (50–55 days after sowing) using 160 litres of water per acre.
For effective control of Phalaris minor (commonly known as canary grass or “gulli danda”), farmers are advised to spray Pyroxasulfone 85 WG at 60 grams per acre within 0–3 days after 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 can be sprayed at 500–800 ml per acre. After the first irrigation, within 10–15 days, Clodinafop + Metribuzin 12+42 WP at 200 grams per acre can also be applied.
The Agriculture Department has urged farmers to follow these recommendations carefully and consult local agricultural officers if symptoms persist, to ensure healthy wheat crops and optimal yields during the current rabi season.
