What Weeds Does Pendimethalin Kill?

Pendimethalin effectively kills a wide range of annual grass and broadleaf weeds, including crabgrass, barnyardgrass, foxtail, goosegrass, pigweed, lambsquarters, chickweed, purslane, and spurge. It is mainly used as a pre-emergent herbicide to stop weed seeds from germinating in crops, turf, and landscaped areas.

Understanding Pendimethalin and Its Role in Pre-Emergent Weed Control

Pendimethalin is a selective pre-emergent herbicide widely used in agriculture and turf management to control annual grasses and certain broadleaf weeds. It belongs to the dinitroaniline class of herbicides and is known for its strong residual activity in the soil, making it a reliable choice for early-season weed suppression.

By forming a protective barrier in the soil, pendimethalin prevents the germination of weed seeds before they emerge from the ground. This makes it particularly effective in crops where early weed competition can drastically reduce yields. It is one of the most commonly used active ingredients in herbicide programs targeting weeds controlled by pendimethalin, including crabgrass, foxtail, pigweed, and goosegrass.

For growers, landscapers, and turf professionals, understanding what pendimethalin kills and what weeds it is best suited to control is essential for integrating it into a broader weed management plan. This article will explore the herbicide’s action, spectrum, and how it fits into modern agricultural practices—all while keeping application precision and crop safety in focus.

Mode of Action – How Pendimethalin Kills Weeds

Pendimethalin functions as a microtubule assembly inhibitor, disrupting cell division during the early stages of weed seed germination. Specifically, it inhibits mitosis by preventing the polymerization of tubulin into microtubules, a critical process for cell wall formation and root development. As a result, susceptible weeds fail to emerge from the soil surface.

This mode of action categorizes pendimethalin under Group 3 (HRAC classification), a class of herbicides known for targeting germinating seeds and young seedlings rather than established plants. Therefore, pendimethalin does not kill existing weeds, but is highly effective at preventing the emergence of new weeds when applied before or shortly after seeding.

When applied correctly and incorporated into the soil through irrigation or mechanical means, pendimethalin creates a chemical barrier. Germinating weed seeds absorb the herbicide, leading to abnormal root and shoot development, which ultimately kills the seedling before it breaches the soil surface.

Key points regarding its action include:

• Pre-emergent only: It must be applied before weed seeds germinate.
• Root uptake: Weed seedlings absorb pendimethalin primarily through root tips.
• Selective action: It controls target weed species without harming established crops when applied at recommended rates.

Understanding how pendimethalin works helps in optimizing its use, ensuring that what pendimethalin kills is precisely the weed spectrum you intend to manage, while avoiding injury to desirable crops or turfgrass.

Target Weeds – What Does Pendimethalin Kill?

Pendimethalin is a broad-spectrum pre-emergent herbicide that effectively controls a wide range of annual grasses and certain broadleaf weeds. It is most commonly used in row crops, orchards, turfgrass, and ornamental settings to prevent the establishment of competitive weed species that reduce crop yield and turf quality.

Annual Grass Weeds Controlled by Pendimethalin

Pendimethalin is particularly effective against annual grassy weeds that emerge early in the season. These include:

• Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)
• Goosegrass (Eleusine indica)
• Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli)
• Foxtails (Setaria spp.)
• Junglerice (Echinochloa colona)
• Fall Panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum)
• Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) – under specific turf conditions

These grasses are typically aggressive competitors and can quickly establish dense mats that hinder crop emergence or turf development. Pendimethalin’s pre-emergent barrier is highly effective in suppressing these species.

Broadleaf Weeds Controlled by Pendimethalin

Though primarily a grass herbicide, pendimethalin also suppresses early-emerging broadleaf weeds, including:

• Pigweed (Amaranthus spp.)
• Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)
• Kochia (Kochia scoparia)
• Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)
• Mustards (Brassica spp.)
• Prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare)
• Common purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

Effectiveness can vary depending on soil conditions, application timing, and incorporation, but pendimethalin remains a key tool in integrated weed control systems targeting these species.

Key Benefits for Specific Applications

• Turfgrass: Controls crabgrass and goosegrass in cool- and warm-season turf when applied before soil temperatures rise above 13°C.
• Vegetable crops: Often used in pre-plant soil incorporation programs for beans, potatoes, and cole crops.
• Orchards and vineyards: Provides early-season weed suppression without damaging tree roots or vines.

By understanding what weeds pendimethalin kills, you can tailor your herbicide program to match the dominant weed spectrum in your field or landscape. Pairing pendimethalin with post-emergent options or tank-mix partners can further broaden the weed control spectrum and reduce herbicide resistance pressure.

Application Timing & Best Practices for Weed Control

Applying Pendimethalin at the right time and using proper techniques is critical for maximizing its pre-emergent efficacy. Since it acts by inhibiting weed seed germination and early growth, the herbicide must be present in the upper soil layer before weeds emerge. Timing, incorporation, and soil condition are key factors influencing success.

Optimal Application Timing

• Pre-Plant Incorporation (PPI):
  In many cropping systems (e.g., soybeans, potatoes, groundnuts), pendimethalin is applied before planting and mechanically incorporated into the top 2–5 cm of soil. This ensures direct contact with germinating seeds.
• Pre-Emergence Application:
  In cereals, turfgrass, and orchards, pendimethalin is often sprayed on bare soil after planting but before crop and weed emergence. A uniform soil surface with fine tilth and adequate moisture enhances herbicide activation.
• Seasonal Considerations:
  • Spring and early summer are ideal in temperate zones when annual weeds typically germinate.
  • Avoid late applications after weeds have already emerged, as pendimethalin has limited post-emergent activity.

Best Practices for Maximum Effectiveness

• Soil Moisture Activation:
  Pendimethalin requires moisture to be activated in the soil. If rainfall does not occur within 7–10 days of application, irrigation (5–10 mm) is recommended to move the herbicide into the seed zone.
• Uniform Spray Coverage:
  Apply with a flat-fan nozzle at recommended pressures to ensure even distribution. Avoid spray drift or skips, which may lead to patchy weed control.
• Avoid Soil Erosion or Disturbance:
  After application, minimize soil disturbance (e.g., cultivation) that may break the herbicide barrier and allow weeds to emerge.
• Tank Mix with Compatible Partners:
  To broaden weed spectrum or add post-emergent activity, pendimethalin is often tank-mixed with:
  • Glyphosate (for burndown before planting)
  • Imazethapyr or Metribuzin (for extended broadleaf control)
• Crop Rotation Awareness:
  Pendimethalin has moderate soil persistence. When planning rotations, ensure subsequent crops are tolerant or follow plant-back intervals as per label guidelines.

Tank Mix Compatibility & Resistance Management Strategy

Effective use of Pendimethalin herbicide not only depends on timing and placement but also on smart integration into broader weed control programs. This section focuses on how to safely combine pendimethalin with other herbicides and its strategic role in resistance management.

Tank Mix Compatibility

Pendimethalin is widely used in tank mixes to expand the weed control spectrum and improve efficacy in complex field situations. Being a Group K1 (microtubule assembly inhibitor) herbicide, it complements many herbicides with different modes of action.

Common Compatible Tank Mix Partners:

• Glyphosate (Group 9): Used in pre-plant burndown programs to eliminate existing weeds before pendimethalin prevents new ones.
• Imazethapyr or Imazamox (Group 2): Broadens spectrum to control more broadleaf weeds.
• Atrazine, Metolachlor, or S-metolachlor: Often used in maize or sorghum for grass and small-seeded broadleaf weeds.
• Oxyfluorfen or Diuron: In orchards and vineyards to extend soil residual activity.

Always conduct a jar test before mixing to confirm physical compatibility, especially when combining emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and suspension concentrate (SC) formulations.

Resistance Management Strategy

Weed resistance to herbicides is an escalating challenge in global agriculture. Though pendimethalin has a lower resistance risk due to its pre-emergent action, continuous use without rotation can select for tolerant species.

Best Practices for Resistance Management:

• Rotate Modes of Action: Use pendimethalin in a program that includes herbicides from other HRAC groups, such as Group 14 (PPO inhibitors) or Group 2 (ALS inhibitors).
• Avoid Repetitive Use Alone: Don’t rely solely on pendimethalin for multiple seasons. Combine with or alternate to herbicides with different target sites.
• Include Cultural Practices: Combine chemical control with non-chemical methods like crop rotation, cover crops, and mechanical weeding.
• Scout and Monitor Fields: Detect early resistance signs like unexpected weed survival, and adjust your control strategy accordingly.

By incorporating pendimethalin into diverse, multi-modal weed management programs, you can delay resistance development and maintain long-term efficacy across various cropping systems.

Environmental Behavior & Soil Residual Characteristics of Pendimethalin

Pendimethalin is widely recognized for its strong soil-binding properties and low mobility, making it an environmentally stable choice for pre-emergent weed control. Once applied, pendimethalin adheres tightly to soil particles, particularly in clay and loam soils, minimizing the risk of leaching into groundwater. This characteristic ensures targeted weed suppression while protecting surrounding ecosystems.

The herbicide is low in volatility, meaning it remains in the application zone without significant vapor loss. This enhances both field efficacy and operator safety, especially in warmer climates where volatile losses can be problematic for other herbicides.

In terms of residual control, pendimethalin provides extended activity ranging from 4 to 8 weeks, depending on soil type, organic matter content, and rainfall. In well-managed no-till systems, its residual effect supports long-term suppression of key annual grasses and some broadleaf weeds, reducing the need for repeat applications.

While pendimethalin breaks down slowly through microbial degradation, its persistence in soil is typically not phytotoxic to rotational crops when used at recommended rates. However, growers should always consult local guidelines to determine safe replanting intervals for sensitive crops.

To ensure optimal environmental performance:

• Avoid applying to saturated or sandy soils prone to runoff.
• Maintain buffer zones near waterways.
• Follow label guidance for soil incorporation when needed.

By combining predictable soil behavior, extended residual control, and minimal off-target movement, pendimethalin remains a preferred option in sustainable herbicide programs across multiple cropping systems.

Formulations, Packaging Options & OEM Services

Pendimethalin is available in multiple formulation types to meet the agronomic and operational needs of diverse farming systems. The most common and commercially viable formulations include:

• Pendimethalin 30% EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) – Ideal for broad-acre field applications using standard boom sprayers; widely adopted in cereal and oilseed cropping systems.
• Pendimethalin 33% EC / 38.7% CS (Capsule Suspension) – Offers enhanced photostability and extended residual control, making it suitable for high-rainfall zones or areas with prolonged weed germination periods.
• Technical Grade (TC, >95%) – Supplied in bulk for local formulation or industrial redistribution.

At POMAIS, we offer tailored packaging and private labeling services for both technical and finished products. Whether you’re distributing under your own brand or launching a new product line, we can support a wide range of packaging options including:

• 100mL, 250mL, 500mL, 1L bottles (HDPE/Aluminum)
• 5L, 10L, 20L drums (plastic or metal)
• Bulk IBC totes or customized export-grade containers

Each package can be fully customized with multilingual labels, regional safety instructions, and compliance markings per your target market. Our in-house design and regulatory teams work closely with clients to deliver professional OEM & ODM solutions aligned with both commercial goals and registration needs.

With ISO-certified manufacturing, stringent quality control, and fast export logistics, POMAIS ensures a seamless supply chain from factory to field, empowering your brand with reliability, consistency, and regulatory readiness.

Why Choose POMAIS as Your Pendimethalin Supplier

When selecting a partner for Pendimethalin-based herbicides, quality consistency, formulation flexibility, and reliable global supply are critical. At POMAIS, we specialize in manufacturing and customizing Pendimethalin formulations to meet the precise needs of agrochemical distributors, importers, and regional crop protection programs.

Wide Range of Formulations

We offer a complete portfolio of Pendimethalin products, including:

• Pendimethalin 30% EC
• Pendimethalin 330 g/L EC
• Pendimethalin 98% TC
• Custom concentrations tailored to regional registration needs

All formulations are developed to ensure excellent suspension stability, long-lasting weed control, and compatibility with tank mix partners.

Technical and Regulatory Support

From SGS testing, COA, MSDS, to registration dossiers, we provide full technical documentation and support for:

• ICAMA export registration
• Local authority registration files (Africa, Middle East, LATAM)
• Compatibility and residue studies as needed

OEM / ODM Capability

We support both private label and bulk supply. You can choose:

• Bottle shape and size
• Label and branding style
• Box and pallet customization

Our production complies with ISO9001:2000, and every batch undergoes strict QA/QC inspection before shipment.

Reliable Export Logistics

With strong experience in exporting to over 30 countries, we manage:

• Door-to-door logistics
• Port handling and compliance paperwork
• Flexible MOQ for new markets

Choosing POMAIS means choosing a manufacturer who understands not only Pendimethalin chemistry, but also how to help you succeed in your local market with reliable supply and competitive value.

Partner with POMAIS for Pendimethalin Solutions

Whether you’re an agrochemical distributor, importer, or brand owner seeking a reliable source of Pendimethalin herbicide, POMAIS is ready to support your market growth with high-quality formulations, technical expertise, and flexible OEM services.

With over a decade of manufacturing experience, a global export network, and a commitment to quality assurance, we deliver more than just a product — we deliver a partnership built on trust, efficiency, and mutual success.

If you’re looking to expand your product line with Pendimethalin 30% EC, Pendimethalin 330 g/L EC, or customized pre-emergent herbicide solutions, our team can help you meet regulatory requirements, adapt to regional weed control needs, and establish a strong market presence.

Contact POMAIS today to request samples, pricing, or a tailored quotation. Let’s build your brand and business with proven Pendimethalin solutions that work.