Effectiveness of glyphosate potassium 660 g/L herbicide in controlling weeds at productive tea plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)

Abstract

Tea ranks among Indonesia's prominent export commodities, and international market competition necessitates the cultivation of tea plants with maximum efficiency to sustain production levels. An eminent challenge in preserving the productivity of tea plants is the pervasive growth of weeds, which engender competitive pressures on tea plants, consequently diminishing crop yields. This research was conducted during January to May, 2023 to test the effectiveness of Glyphosate Potassium 660 g/L herbicide in controlling various types of weeds in tea plantations. Glyphosate potassium herbicide works by inhibiting the 5-enolpiruvil-shikimat-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) enzyme which plays a role in the formation of aromatic amino acids in plants. The research was conducted at the PTPN VIII Rancabali tea plantation, Bandung Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia. The experimental design used was a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments and four replications, resulting in 28 experimental plots. Treatments included the application of Glyphosate Potassium 660 g/L herbicide with doses of 0.75 L/ha, 1.125 L/ha, 1.5 L/ha, 1.875 L/ha, 2.25 L/ha, manual weeding, and control (without treatment). The results showed that the herbicide with Glyphosate Potassium 660 g/L active ingredient at doses ranging from 0.75 L/ha to 2.25 L/ha was effective to control broadleaf weeds such as Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Galinsoga parviflora, and Diodia sarmentosa, grassy weeds such as Setaria plicata and Axonopus compressus and other weeds (Drymaria cordata, Synedrella nodyflora, Erechtithes valerianifolia and Clidemia hirta) until the observation at 12 Weeks After Application (WAA) without causing phytotoxicity on the tea plants.