Role of defoliators in crop production - A review

Abstract

Defoliation is the detachment of leaves from plant. This is natural process occurs when leaves become physiologically mature. Defoliators are the chemical which brings early and uniform drying and shredding of leaves by removing moisture out of the plant system and create abscission layer at the base of the leaves. Defoliators applied 3 to 4 days before harvesting in order to enhance the brittleness of the harvesting plant stem there by helpful for efficient mechanical harvesting and also reduce damage of seeds to a greater extent, so they also named as harvest aiding chemicals. Leaf start drying within 12 hours after defoliator application. Herbicide like paraquat (4ml/l) can be used to achieve defoliation and desiccation. There was limited study conducted on effect of application of different concentrations of paraquat and stage for spray on different crops.