Control of perennial, woody, deep-rooted weeds like Lantana camara or Parthenium is typically achieved using systemic herbicides like glyphosate or 2,4-D, which translocate to the roots and prevent resprouting.
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Lantana camara is a highly invasive, perennial, woody shrub that infests forest margins, pastures, and agricultural lands. Controlling woody perennial weeds requires systemic herbicides that can translocate down to the roots to prevent regrowth. Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate the suitability of the listed herbicides for controlling woody weeds:
Glyphosate: This is a non-selective, systemic, post-emergence herbicide.
When sprayed on the foliage of Lantana camara, it is absorbed by the leaves and translocated through the phloem to the roots, rhizomes, and growing vegetative tips.
It inhibits the shikimate pathway enzyme EPSPS, stopping aromatic amino acid synthesis and leading to complete desiccation and death of the entire root and shoot system.
This systemicity is essential to prevent the plant from resprouting from its extensive root crown. Thus, glyphosate is a standard recommended chemical control for Lantana.
Pendimethalin and Metolachlor: These are selective pre-emergence herbicides that inhibit seedling development and root/shoot growth. They are completely ineffective against established woody perennial shrubs like Lantana.
Atrazine: This is a selective pre- and early post-emergence herbicide primarily used in maize, and does not have the systemic capability or strength to kill mature woody shrubs.
Therefore, glyphosate is the effective herbicidal control option among the choices. Step 2: Final Answer:
The correct option is (B), representing Glyphosate.
