Weed Control Schedules in Vegetables

General Principles

• Vegetables are shallow-rooted and very sensitive to weed competition, especially during the first 30–45 days after sowing/transplanting (the critical period of weed control).
• Hand weeding and hoeing are still widely practiced, but herbicides + mulching + crop rotation improve efficiency.
• Weed control must be crop-specific because vegetables differ in canopy cover, spacing, and tolerance to herbicides.

1. Solanaceous Vegetables (Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli, Capsicum)

• Critical Period: 15–45 Days After Transplanting (DAT).
• Schedule:
  • 0–3 DAT: Apply pre-emergence herbicide like Pendimethalin or Oxyfluorfen.
  • 20–25 DAT: Hand weeding / hoeing between rows.
  • 30–35 DAT: If infestation persists, apply post-emergence herbicides like Quizalofop (for grasses).
  • Mulching: Black polyethylene mulch highly effective in tomato and capsicum.

2. Cucurbits (Cucumber, Pumpkin, Bottle gourd, Watermelon, Muskmelon)

• Critical Period: 20–40 DAS.
• Schedule:
  • Pre-sowing / Pre-emergence: Apply Pendimethalin at sowing.
  • 20 DAS: Hand weeding or shallow hoeing (avoid root damage).
  • 30–35 DAS: Earthing-up and mulching to suppress late-emerging weeds.
• Note: Plastic mulch is widely adopted in cucurbits for weed suppression + moisture conservation.

3. Onion and Garlic

• Critical Period: 15–45 DAS.
• Schedule:
  • 0–3 DAS: Pendimethalin (pre-emergence).
  • 20–25 DAS: First hand weeding.
  • 40–45 DAS: Second hand weeding or oxyfluorfen (directed spray).
• Note: Onion has a weak canopy and poor competitiveness → requires frequent weed management.

4. Cole Crops (Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli)

• Critical Period: 20–50 DAT.
• Schedule:
  • 0–3 DAT: Pre-emergence Pendimethalin.
  • 20–25 DAT: Hand weeding and intercultural.
  • 40–45 DAT: Second weeding + earthing-up.
  • Mulching: Straw / plastic mulch works very well in cabbage.

5. Root Crops (Carrot, Beetroot, Radish, Turnip)

• Critical Period: 15–45 DAS.
• Schedule:
  • 0–3 DAS: Pre-emergence herbicide (Linuron or Pendimethalin).
  • 20 DAS: Hand weeding / mechanical hoeing.
  • 40 DAS: Second hand weeding.
• Note: Herbicide use is limited in root crops because residues may affect edible roots, so manual/mechanical + mulching are safer.

6. Leafy Vegetables (Spinach, Amaranthus, Coriander, Fenugreek)

• Critical Period: First 20–30 DAS (short duration crops).
• Schedule:
  • At Sowing: Stale seedbed technique (irrigate → allow weeds to germinate → destroy before sowing).
  • 15–20 DAS: Single hand weeding or light hoeing.
  • Avoid herbicides → because of short harvest interval and food safety concerns.
• Mulching: Commonly used in organic systems.

Summary Table: Weed Control Schedules in Vegetables