Triclopyr (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyloxyacetic acid) is a systematic herbicide to control woody plants and broadleaf weeds. Conventionally, triclopyr is pre-mixed in glyphosate herbicide foe maximum weed control. This study was carried out to develop an effective surfactant or mixed surfactants and palm-based solvents in producing 2-in-1 herbicides, oil in water (O/W) glyphosate-triclopyr for better weed control. From ecploratory study on several types of mixed non-ionic surfactants, it was found that 5% (w/w) mixed Disponil OC 25 and DLS2 with HLB 12+1 was the optimum combination of mixed non-ionic surfactants that formed the most stable milky white EW-glyphosate-triclopyr herbicides formulation. A small-scale biofficacy test on two types of weeds showed that the EW glyphosate isopropylamine (IPA) that was pre-mixed with conventional triclopyr to control weeds.

Main Research: Dr Ismail Ab Rahman