Herbicides to use on Kale:
Weeds are everywhere.
They affect every crop under the sun.
Now that you’ve decided to grow kale they are likely to give you a lot of trouble.
“How do I avoid this trouble,” You may ask.
Well, there are two ways to control weeds affecting kale.
- Hand tillage using a hoe or
- Through the use of herbicides.
Both of these methods of weed control have their advantages and disadvantages.
My job today is not to explain the way hand weeding works in controlling sukumawiki weeds.
However, is to explain the herbicides to use in Kale and how to use them effectively.
Which herbicide to Use on Kale?
Right away i will go ahead and name the herbcides to use in kale.
They are…
- Glyphosate–popularly known as roundup,
- Commander,
- Fusilade Forte
Knowing which type of herbicides to use on Kale is just one part of the story.
You also need to know, “How to use them safely and effectively.”
That’s is why I am writing this post.
I want to give to you exclusive tips on herbicides to use on kale so that you save time and make more profits.
Ready?
Continue reading:
Herbicide # 1. Glyphosate (In Kenya, this Herbicide Has many trade names e.g. weedal, Kausha, & Roundup)
This herbicide is a nonselective, broad spectrum herbicide.
“What does nonselective & broad spectrum mean?” You may ask.
It simply means that it will kill ALL the plants it touches.
So if it gets into contact with your kale/Sukuma wiki, the kale will die too.
You may now be wondering, “Why do I need glyphosate if it will kill my kale plants?”
Well, in Kale production, you will be using glyphosate during the land preparation stage to clear all the perennial weeds.
How to use Glyphosate to Control Weeds in Your Kale Farm In The Land Preparation Phase.
- Assuming that you are starting your kale farm that has existing weeds like grasses, sedges and other perennial weeds, you’ll need to kill these weeds before you begin plowing your land.
- Put 15 liters of water in a 20-liter knapsack sprayer.
- Add the amount recommended on the herbicide label of Glyphosate in the 20-liter knapsack sprayer.
- Add a suitable agricultural sticker to the water herbicide mix.
- Using a stick mix the solution thoroughly.
- Fill the remaining volume with water until it reaches the 20-liter mark.
- Mix again using the stick to ensure the herbicide plus sticker is evenly distributed in the water.
- Spray the target weeds in the area where you want to establish your kale farm.
- Doing this will kill all the perennial weeds like grasses, and sedges.
- After 5-7 days, you’ll see that the weeds have started yellowing and drying. You can now plow your land.
Check out the prices of Gyphosate/Weedal here.
Herbicide#2 Commander
This is a broad spectrum selective herbicide, which means it will kill all other weeds but let your kale continue growing.
For this reason, we use the herbicide during the transplanting stage.
The active ingredient for this herbicide is Oxyfluorfen 240g/L.
As a rule of thumb, ensure that you’ve prepared a fine seedbed in readiness for transplanting your kale.
How to Use Commander Herbicide On Kale
- Add 15 liters of water into a 20-liter knapsack.
- Add 20 ml of the herbicide in the water.
- Using a stick, mix the two together to ensure that the herbicide is evenly distributed in the water.
- Fill the remaining space with water until it reaches the 20-liter mark.
- For the best results, the soil should be slightly moist before you apply the herbicide.
- Apply herbicide after final cultivation of the planting beds, but before transplanting.
- Let the beds stay for 3 days before you transplant your kales.
- * do not apply this herbicide after transplanting as crop damage may occur.
- * Sprayed soil should not be plowed.
- * This herbicide is for only a single application per season, that is before you do transplanting.
Advantages of using Commander Herbicide:
It has selective contact activity.
Most effective when applied to weed free established soil surfaces as pre-emergence, and most effective against annual broadleaf weeds less than 10 cm high and annual grasses at 1-2 leaf stage as a post emergence.
Its potency is sustained for a long time in the soil, not affected by microbial activity in the soil.
Rapid action against targeted weeds. No delay in subsequent farming.
Controls weeds over a long period of time, no subsequent weeding.
Herbicide # 3 Fusilade Forte
Fusilade Forte is a superior post emergence grass weed herbicide which is used in fruits and vegetables.
You’ll only use this herbicide if you have grass weeds inside your kale farm.
Fusilade Forte kills all germinated Grass weeds and is able to select a wide variety of vegetables and fruits.
FUSILADE FORTE is a systemic herbicide which moves from the treated foliage into the shoots, roots, rhizomes, stolons, and growing points of treated grass weeds.
Growth of treated grass weeds stops soon after application as green leaves rapidly absorb FUSILADE FORTE and subsequently translocate it throughout the plant where it accumulates at growing points, both above ground and in the roots, rhizomes and stolons.
The first symptoms are generally not evident for approximately a week following application.
Growing points turn brown and rot; shoot tips can be easily pulled out after 2 to 3 weeks.
Young leaves turn yellow or redden soon after this, but more mature leaves may remain green for an extended period. Weed control is usually complete 3 to 5 weeks after application.
FUSILADE FORTE inhibits acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), the enzyme catalysing the first committed step in de novo fatty acid synthesis.
How to Use Fusilade Forte
- Add 15 liters of water into a 20-liter knapsack.
- Add 150 ml of the Fusillade Forte in the water.
- Using a stick, mix the two together to ensure that the herbicide is evenly distributed in the water.
- Fill the remaining space with water until it reaches the 20-liter mark.
- Apply Fusilade Forte when weeds are between 2- 8 leaf stage for maximum efficiency.
- Spray the herbicide to the target weeds
Conclusion and summary
Using these herbicides will ensure your kale farm stays weed free during the entire growth period.
Don’t use herbicide #3 if you do not have a grass problem in your kale farm.
What are your thoughts on Herbicides to use on kale farm?
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