Crystal Dursban Chlorpyriphos 20% EC Insecticide - Broad Spectrum Pest Control for Crops & Termites

Crystal Dursban is a broad-spectrum insecticide containing Chlorpyrifos 20% EC, a powerful organophosphorus compound trusted by Indian farmers for decades. It is designed to control a wide range of sucking and chewing pests across many crops, including paddy, cotton, sugarcane, groundnut, mustard, brinjal, cabbage, onion, apple, ber, citrus, tobacco, beans, and gram. Dursban works through contact, stomach, and fumigation action, making it effective against pests that hide in stems, soil, or leaf folds where ordinary sprays cannot reach.

Beyond agriculture, Crystal Dursban is also widely used for termite control in pre-construction and post-construction building treatments. Its ability to bind to soil particles and create a long-lasting chemical barrier makes it a popular choice for protecting homes and structures. With its triple mode of action, broad pest coverage, and dual-use versatility, Dursban remains a go-to solution for farmers and pest control users who need reliable, cost-effective protection.

Key Benefits

• Triple action control – Works through contact, stomach ingestion, and fumigation to target pests in multiple ways, including hidden insects in soil and plant crevices.
• Broad-spectrum protection – Controls a wide variety of pests including stem borers, leaf rollers, aphids, bollworms, whiteflies, cutworms, root grubs, shoot and fruit borers, diamond back moth, and termites.
• Dual-use versatility – Effective for both agricultural pest control in crops and termite management in building construction (pre and post treatment).
• Fast knockdown action – Shows visible effect within a few hours of application, providing quick relief from pest attacks.
• Deep penetration – Fumigation effect allows the chemical to reach hidden areas like inside rice stems, cotton bolls, and soil tunnels where contact sprays cannot reach.
• Cost-effective solution – Offers reliable pest control at an affordable price compared to newer chemistries, making it suitable for large-area farming.
• Longer residual protection – Provides extended control under suitable application conditions, reducing the need for frequent re-sprays.

How It Works

Crystal Dursban contains Chlorpyrifos 20% EC, which belongs to the organophosphorus group of insecticides. It works by inhibiting the Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme in the insect's nervous system. This enzyme is responsible for calming nerve signals after they fire. When Dursban blocks this enzyme, the insect's nerves continue firing uncontrollably, leading to tremors, paralysis, and eventually death.

The product enters the pest through three routes: direct contact with the skin, ingestion when the pest feeds on treated plant parts, and respiration through fumigation vapors. This triple entry method makes Dursban highly effective even against pests that hide inside stems, rolled leaves, or soil. The fumigation action is especially valuable because the chemical turns into vapor and penetrates hidden crevices and tunnels where standard contact sprays cannot reach.

Dursban is non-systemic, meaning it does not travel inside the plant's vascular system. Instead, it stays on the surface where it is applied, providing a protective layer that kills pests on contact or when they feed. This makes thorough and uniform spray coverage essential for best results.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Details
Brand	Crystal Crop Protection Ltd.
Product Name	Dursban
Active Ingredient	Chlorpyrifos 20% EC
Formulation Type	EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate)
Chemical Group	Organophosphorus
IRAC MoA Code	Group 1B
Mode of Entry	Contact, Stomach, and Respiratory (Fumigation)
Mode of Action	Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (nerve poison)
Toxicity Label	Yellow (Highly Toxic) - Use Caution
Classification	Chemical
Country of Origin	India

Recommended Dosage & Application

General Foliar Spray Dose: 1 to 2 ml per litre of water, depending on pest type and infestation intensity.

Crop	Target Pests	Dosage per Acre (ml)	Water per Acre (L)
Paddy	Rice hispa, gall midge, stem borer, whorl maggots, leaf roller	500 - 750	200 - 400
Beans	Pod borer, black bug	1200	200 - 400
Gram	Cutworm	1000	200 - 400
Sugarcane	Black bug, early shoot & stalk borer, pyrilla	300 - 600	200 - 400
Cotton	Aphids, bollworm, whitefly, cutworm	500 - 1500	200 - 400
Groundnut	Aphid, root grub	400 - 450	200 - 400
Mustard	Aphid	200	200 - 400
Brinjal	Shoot & fruit borer	400	200 - 400
Cabbage	Diamond back moth	800	200 - 400
Onion	Root grub	2000	200 - 400
Apple	Aphid	1500 - 2000	600 - 800
Ber	Leafhopper	900 - 1200	600 - 800
Citrus	Black citrus aphid	600 - 800	600 - 800
Tobacco	Ground beetle	700	200 - 400

Method of Application: Foliar spray, soil drenching, and seed treatment.

For Termite Control: Mix 1 part Dursban with 19 parts water. Apply as soil drench, trench fill, or foundation treatment as per recommended practice.

When to Use

Apply Crystal Dursban at the first sign of pest infestation. Early application helps control the pest population before it causes significant crop damage. For best results, scout your fields regularly and spray when pest incidence is noticed at an early stage.

For stem borers in paddy, ensure the spray reaches the leaf sheath area where the pest hides. For cotton bollworms, consistent scouting is important to time the application correctly. For termite control, treatment should be planned before serious termite damage appears or during foundation work for better preventive protection.

Prepare a fresh solution for every spray. Do not allow the mixture to stand overnight as it may degrade and lose effectiveness. Ensure thorough and uniform coverage of all plant parts, especially the undersides of leaves and stem areas where pests tend to hide.

Step by Step Usage Instructions

1. Identify the pest – Confirm the target pest and infestation level in your crop.
2. Measure the dose – Check the recommended dosage per acre from the table above or product label.
3. Prepare the solution – Mix the required quantity of Crystal Dursban in clean water. Stir well until the solution is uniform.
4. Fill the sprayer – Pour the prepared solution into a clean sprayer tank.
5. Apply uniformly – Spray evenly on the crop canopy, ensuring coverage on leaves, stems, shoots, and pest-affected plant parts.
6. For termite treatment – Apply the prepared solution evenly in the target soil, trench, or foundation area as per recommended practice.
7. Post-application – Wash the sprayer thoroughly after use. Do not allow children or animals near treated areas until the spray has dried.

Compatibility

Crystal Dursban is compatible with most commonly used plant protection chemicals available in the market. It can be tank-mixed with other insecticides like Cypermethrin for managing resistant pests. However, always perform a small jar test before mixing to check for any adverse reaction. Do not mix with alkaline substances or strong acids. Prepare only the quantity needed for immediate use and do not store mixed solutions.

Precautions & Safety

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear gloves, mask, and goggles while handling and applying the product. Wear full-sleeved clothing and boots.
• Avoid direct contact: Do not let the product come in contact with skin, eyes, or mouth. Chlorpyrifos is a neurotoxin and must be handled with care.
• Wash thoroughly: Wash hands, face, and all exposed skin with soap and water immediately after use.
• Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from food, animal feed, and drinking water. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Environmental safety: Avoid spray drift to water bodies, ponds, and non-target crops. This product is toxic to aquatic organisms.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling or applying the product.
• First aid: In case of accidental poisoning, seek immediate medical attention. The specific antidote is Atropine Sulphate (and 2-PAM), which must be administered by a qualified medical professional.

Side Effects & Phytotoxicity

Crystal Dursban is a highly toxic (Yellow label) organophosphorus insecticide. It is toxic if swallowed and harmful if inhaled. The product may cause skin dryness or cracking with repeated exposure. Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. It is toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Use strictly as per label recommendations and avoid over-application to prevent residue issues. As per regulatory updates, use of Chlorpyrifos is restricted on certain crops including Ber, Citrus, and Tobacco. Always check the latest guidelines for your state and crop.

PHI / REI & Storage

• Shelf Life: 2 years from the date of manufacture when stored in original unopened containers under recommended conditions.
• Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep temperature below 50°C. Store away from oxidizing materials, bases, and strong acids.
• PHI (Pre-Harvest Interval): Refer to the product label for crop-specific PHI values before harvesting.