Bayer Alion Plus Herbicide — a practical guide for growers

Introduction of Bayer Alion Plus Herbicide

Alion Plus is Bayer’s long-lasting, dual-action herbicide formulated for tough weed control in perennial crops such as tea and grapes. It pairs a soil-residual pre-emergence ingredient with a fast-acting foliar burndown to give both immediate and lasting suppression of grasses and broadleaf weeds — including many resistant species. 

Technical name (active ingredients)

Alion Plus is a combination product containing Indaziflam (a pre-emergence, soil-active herbicide) together with Glyphosate (isopropylamine salt) as the foliar component. Typical declared technical content (example formulation data referenced in India) is Indaziflam 20 + Glyphosate IPA 540 SC (approx. 1.65% w/w + 44.63% w/w). 

Also Read: Bayer Adora Herbicide: A Complete Guide for Effective Weed Management

Recommended dose (what growers asked for)

Different crops/uses have slightly different label recommendations. Below are commonly published, crop-specific product rates found on Bayer distributor and product pages — use the crop label and local label instructions as the final authority.

Dosage expressed as product per 200 L water (common pack instructions):

• Tea: 1,000–1,400 g per 200 L of water (used for pre- and early post-emergence control).
  
• Grape: 750–850 g per 200 L of water.
  

Converted to per-litre (straight division by 200 L):

• Tea → 5.0–7.0 g product per litre.
  
• Grape → 3.75–4.25 g product per litre.
  

Converted to area rates (using Bayer’s recommended spray volume of 500 L/ha)
Bayer’s technical guidance, Alion Plus, recommends a typical spray volume of around 500 L per hectare for these perennial applications; I use that water volume to convert product per 200 L to product per hectare and per acre. (If you use a different field spray volume, scale the product amount proportionally.) 

Using that assumption:

• Tea (1,000–1,400 g/200 L) → per hectare = 1,000–1,400 × (500/200) = 2,500–3,500 g/ha (2.5–3.5 kg/ha) → per acre ≈ 1.01–1.42 kg/acre.
  
• Grape (750–850 g/200 L) → per hectare = 750–850 × (500/200) = 1,875–2,125 g/ha (1.875–2.125 kg/ha) → per acre ≈ 0.76–0.86 kg/acre.
  

Important: these per-hectare and per-acre numbers are calculated from the product-per-200 L recommendations together with the manufacturer’s suggested spray volume (500 L/ha). Always follow the label for your region — label units and recommended spray volumes may differ by country and formulation.

Also Read: Bayer Insecticide: Revolutionising Crop Protection for Sustainable Farming.

How to use Alion Plus (practical steps)

1. Timing: Apply as a uniform spray for pre-emergence (before heavy weed germination) or early post-emergence on small weeds (2–4 leaf stage). Avoid application to advanced weed stages.
   
2. Spray volume & equipment: Use recommended nozzles that ensure uniform coverage; Bayer suggests typical water volumes around 500 L/ha for perennial plantations — do not use hollow-cone nozzles that give uneven coverage.
   
3. Soil moisture: Ensure good moisture in the soil at or shortly after application so the residual (indaziflam) is activated.
   
4. Avoid contact: Do not spray directly on crop foliage, young bark or roots (especially in tea); use only in established plantations as per label (e.g., tea older than 5 years in some labels).
   

Benefits

• Dual action: glyphosate gives quick burndown, indaziflam provides extended soil residual control.
  
• Resistance management: Introduces a different mode of action (indaziflam) to help manage populations resistant to common herbicides.
• Fewer in-season sprays: Residual activity can reduce the need for repeated hand weeding or frequent foliar sprays.
  

Safety, restrictions & waiting periods

• Use limitations: Do not exceed the label’s maximum seasonal application rates. Bayer’s guidance for Alion Plus your local label for exact limits.
  
• Waiting periods: Example label recommendations show 7 days for tea and ~108 days for grapes in some product literature — check the local product label for the definitive pre-harvest interval for your crop.
  
• Environmental caution: Avoid runoff into water bodies and do not use near aquaculture; avoid use on very sandy/gravelly soils or under conditions that promote runoff.
  

Quick FAQ

Q — Can I tank-mix Alion Plus with other herbicides?
A — Tank mixes should follow label instructions and compatibility checks; when mixing with other products follow the most restrictive label and consider a jar test first. 

Q — How soon will weeds die?
A — Foliar glyphosate causes visible burndown in days; residual effects from indaziflam prevent new flushes for weeks to months depending on soil and weather. 

Also Read: Bayer has introduced Felujit fungicide in India best for sheath blight of Paddy!

Final note

Alion Plus is a powerful tool for growers who need immediate burndown plus longer residual protection. Because rates, spray volumes, and legal restrictions vary regionally, always read and follow the local product label and any governmental pesticide guidelines before use. For the rates quoted above, I used Bayer product guidance and common distributor label recommendations (see sources). 

Also Read: About Alion Plus Herbicide on the BAYER Site