This study aimed to evaluate the effect of glyphosate and paraquat herbicides on the mortality rate of bandotan (Ageratum conyzoides) weeds in oil palm plantations. The study used a non-factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 8 treatments and 3 replications, namely glyphosate (0.4, 0.5, 0.6 mL/L) and paraquat concentration (0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mL/L), as well as a control without herbicide. Observations were made for 15 days after application (HSA) based on visual changes in leaves and weed mortality rates. The results showed that the control treatment had a low weed mortality rate of 0.71 up to 15 HSA. All herbicide treatments significantly increased weed mortality. Paraquat showed the fastest response, where treatment P3 (0.4 mL/L) reached a mortality rate of 8.78 at 3 HSA and a maximum of 10.02 at 4-5 HSA. Meanwhile, glyphosate worked more slowly but remained effective, with the G3 treatment (0.6 mL/L) achieving maximum weed mortality (10.02) at 13-15 HSA. Increasing the dosage of both herbicides was positively correlated with accelerated weed mortality. Overall, paraquat was superior in accelerating weed mortality, while glyphosate was more effective in long-term control. However, the use of paraquat should be limited due to its potential environmental and health impacts. Therefore, glyphosate is recommended as a more sustainable alternative, provided appropriate dosage and application timing are used.
Publication Date: 2026-06-16