Active Ingredient and PPO Inhibitor Mode of Action
Goal is formulated with Oxyfluorfen (23.5%), a diphenyl ether herbicide classified under HRAC Group 14. It operates by inhibiting the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) enzyme, a critical step in plant chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis.
When applied to soil, Goal creates a strong chemical barrier on the surface layer. As germinating weed seedlings emerge through this treated chemical film, exposure to sunlight activates accumulated porphyrin molecules, generating reactive oxygen that destroys cellular membranes, leading to rapid desiccation and necrosis.
- Active Molecule: Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate).
- HRAC Group 14: Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor with light-dependent contact activity.
- Chemical Soil Barrier: Forms a durable, insoluble chemical barrier on moist soil that destroys emerging weeds.
- Non-Systemic Contact Action: Kills weed tissues directly upon contact without translocating deep into root systems.
Target Crops and Weed Management Spectrum
Goal is widely recognized as an essential weed management tool in commercial allium production (onion and garlic). Applied prior to weed emergence or immediately following onion seedling transplanting on moist soil, it delivers clean field conditions during vulnerable early establishment phases.
It controls stubborn broadleaf weeds including Chenopodium album (bathua), Amaranthus viridis (chaulai), Portulaca oleracea (kulfa), and Trianthema portulacastrum (itshit), while suppressing annual grass weeds like Echinochloa and Digitaria species.
- Onion and Garlic: Applied pre-emergence or 2 to 3 days post-transplanting before weed emergence.
- Broadleaf Control: Exceptional knockdown of pigweed, lambsquarters, common purslane, and wild mustard.
- Tea Plantations: Effectively cleans weed flushes in established tea bushes and plantation drainage basins.
- Soil Stability: Do not disturb, hoe, or cultivate the soil surface after application to preserve the chemical barrier.
Application Guidelines, Soil Moisture and Safety
For optimum weed suppression, apply Goal to a finely prepared, level seedbed free from large soil clods. Adequate soil moisture is essential at application time to establish an even, continuous chemical film over the ground.
Use flat-fan or floodjet nozzles operated at low pressure to prevent fine droplet drift onto neighboring non-target crops. Operators must wear protective overalls, gloves, and face shields during chemical mixing, complying strictly with CIBRC label directions and pre-harvest intervals.
- Moist Seedbed: Apply onto damp soil; dry, cloddy soil creates gaps in the chemical barrier where weeds emerge.
- Nozzle Selection: Use flat-fan nozzles to achieve uniform surface coverage without overlapping skips.
- Avoid Foliar Wetness: Avoid spraying post-emergence when crop foliage is wet with dew to prevent leaf flecking.
- Safety Standards: Wear protective chemical-resistant clothing during mixing and field application.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the active ingredient in Goal herbicide?
Goal contains Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC, a selective diphenyl ether herbicide that inhibits the PPO enzyme in plants.
When should Goal herbicide be applied in onion crops?
In transplanted onions, Goal is typically applied 2 to 3 days after transplanting onto moist, settled soil before weed seeds germinate.
Why should farmers avoid hoeing the soil after applying Goal?
Hoeing or intercultivating breaks the continuous chemical seal on the soil surface, allowing untreated weed seeds from deeper soil layers to germinate.
Where can farmers verify official label rates and waiting periods for Goal?
Approved crop dosages, spray volumes, and pre-harvest intervals are provided on the product container label and verified on the official CIBRC portal.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Crop Protection & Pesticides guides
Ask Sakhi AI in your language, check live mandi prices or plan a loan with KisanPe tools.