Weeds, compared to cultivated plants, are more resilient, adapt more easily to environmental conditions, and grow faster. This leads to them literally "choking out" the young seedlings of sown beet varieties: sugar, fodder, and table. To control a wide range of weeds, three treatments with Betanal are applied during the beet growing season.
What is included in the composition and dosage form
Betanal is a broad-spectrum herbicide with selective action on plantings of different types of beets.
The product is available as an EC (emulsifiable concentrate). The main active ingredients are:
- Phenmedipham – 91 grams per liter.
- Desmedipham – 71 grams per liter.
- Ethofumesate - 112 grams per liter.
The use of several active ingredients in the product allows the herbicide to effectively suppress a wide range of weeds.
In what cases is it used and the mechanism of action
Betanal is used to control weeds in sugar, fodder, and table beet crops, excluding bunched crops. As the roots ripen, the herbicide's active components undergo hydrolysis and break down into harmless chemical compounds.
The herbicide is aimed at destroying dicotyledonous weeds, as well as some varieties of cereals:
- Chicken millet.
- Setae.
- Field broom and other herbs.
After treatment, weeds show the first signs of death within 3-4 days. This is due to the combined effects of Betanal's components. Phenmedipham and desmedipham belong to the bicarbamate group and act as inhibitors of the Hill reaction, which is the key to photosynthesis. Ethofumesate significantly inhibits mitosis, or cell division, in weeds. The combined effect of all the components of the product leads to the inevitable death of the weeds.
How to make a working mixture and instructions for use
Betanal Expert should be applied in dry, windless weather, at temperatures no higher than 25 degrees Celsius. It's best to apply it in the evening. However, if there's a risk of frost or after precipitation, reschedule herbicide treatment for a more favorable time of year.
The instructions for using Betanal suggest three treatments of beet crops according to the following scheme:
| Processing period | Consumption rate of the product, in liters per hectare |
| During the formation of cotyledons in weeds | 1 |
| At the development stage, weeds have 2-4 true leaves. | 1.5 |
| At the stage of unfolding 4 true leaves of beets and in the early stages of vegetation of weeds | 3 |
If there are malicious, difficult-to-eradicate weeds in the field, it is recommended to use Betanal as part of complex tank mixtures with other herbicides.
Precautionary measures
When using the product, standard precautions for working with herbicides must be observed:
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke while working. All such activities should be performed at least 100 meters away from the treatment area.
- It is necessary to use personal protective equipment: glasses, respirator, gloves, closed clothing.
- After spraying, you need to wash with soap, take a shower and change clothes.
If the solution comes into contact with your skin, rinse with plenty of water. If you feel unwell, seek immediate medical attention.
Is compatibility possible?
Betanal is considered safe to mix with other plant protection products, subject to compatibility testing. Adding an adhesive to the mixture is not necessary, as the herbicide already contains oil, ensuring the product remains on weed leaves and shoots for a long time.
How to store properly
Betanal has a shelf life of 36 months. Store the herbicide in a tightly sealed container, preferably in its original packaging or in a labeled container. The product is available in 5-liter canisters.
Betanal should be stored in cool, shaded areas, protected from heat and direct sunlight. Keep the herbicide away from food, beverages, medications, and pet or livestock feed.
Only undiluted emulsion concentrate should be stored. The prepared working solution must be used within the day of preparation.
Analogues
The following herbicides have similar characteristics:
- Alpha-Dicamba.
- "Nelson".
- "Darwin".
When selecting an alternative or substitute, it's important to consider the potential impact of the herbicide on the host plant. If beet crops require treatment, the herbicide's instructions should specify its intended use.