Desperado — this is a selective systemic herbicide intended to protect corn from a broad spectrum of broadleaf weeds, including those resistant to herbicides of other chemical groups. The active ingredient of the preparation is mesotrione at a concentration of 480 g/l, which belongs to the chemical group of triketones. The herbicide is available in the form of concentrate suspension and supplied in 5-liter pails. It has high selectivity and is effective when applied up to the 8-leaf stage of corn, providing both contact and soil action, which helps prevent the emergence of subsequent weed waves for 6-8 weeks after treatment.
The mechanism of action of Desperado is based on blocking the formation of carotenoids in weeds, leading to the destruction of chlorophyll and cell membranes under the influence of light energy and products of photosynthesis. As a result, weeds rapidly lose color, necrosis occurs, and the plants die. To achieve maximum effectiveness, spraying of annual weeds is recommended at the 2-3 leaf stage, and perennial weeds at the rosette stage with a diameter of 5-8 cm. The application rate of the working solution is 200-300 l/ha, with the mandatory use of surfactants, which improve the absorption of mesotrione and increase the effectiveness of the preparation. Desperado can be applied either alone or in tank mixtures with post-emergence herbicides, although it is not recommended to use organophosphorus insecticides 7-8 days before or after treatment.
In addition, Desperado is also a corn hybrid with a maturity unit (FAO) of 230, a simple type of hybrid with potential grain yield up to 140 c/ha. Plants reach a height of 240-260 cm, have 16-18 rows of kernels with 30-36 kernels per row and a total kernel number per ear ranging from 420 to 560. The grain is cream-colored, orange, with a 1000-kernel weight of 280-320 g. The hybrid is characterized by high cold tolerance, lodging resistance, good drought tolerance, and high resistance to diseases such as helminthosporium, fusarium, and powdery mildew. The recommended plant population before harvest varies depending on the region: 75-80 thousand plants/ha in the forest-steppe, 60-65 thousand in the steppe, and 85-90 thousand in the polye.
