Smart delivery of herbicide for safe and effective control of Egyptian broomrape parasitizing Indian mustard

Oilseed Brassica, an important edible oilseed crop of the world, is facing severe threat from the parasitic weed 'Egyptian broomrape' Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Pers.) Pomel with yield penalty of 0-100%. The problem is more severe due to its physico-biochemical connection with the hosts, where, general weed control measures are not effective to control this parasitic weed. Since, there is no absolute measure to control Egyptian broomrape. The present study was aimed to identify and develop the most effective herbicide formulation and deliver the herbicide to the targeted underground parasite weed for effective and safe control in Indian mustard. Simple (single) and complex (combinational) smart herbicide formulations (NE, ME, SE, SC & ZC) were developed and evaluated under hot-spot conditions. Among all the smart formulations, metsulfuron methyl 5% SC @ 4 ml a.i./ha applied at pre-emergence stage was found most effective in controlling Egyptian broomrape with no phytotoxicity, and recorded higher seed yield of Indian mustard (48-74%) over weedy check plots. Residue analysis using LC-MS/MS revealed that metsulfuron methyl was not detected in soil as well as plant samples thus, it was environmentally safe also. This research successfully demonstrated that metsulfuron methyl-based smart formulations (5% SC) can safely and effectively control Egyptian broomrape in Indian mustard.