Maximizing Pre-Emergence Weed Control
Effective Herbicide Applications Include Adjuvants
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Check out this demo to see how Grounded reduces leaching of herbicides through sandy soils.
As growers evaluate the performance of their 2022 weed control programs and start planning for 2023, there are several things to consider before committing to a weed control program. The most important decision is choosing the crop, variety and herbicide technology in order to maximize ROI. Growers need to build a complete herbicide program that utilizes residual and contact herbicides throughout the season. This is best achieved by starting with a burndown program, followed by a pre-application chasing the planter. Continue with a post-emergence application and include a residual herbicide in every application. Finally, end the season with post-harvest burndown to reduce the weed seed bank for the next season. The focus on eliminating early weed competition helps reduce the potential for resprays and gives you the flexibility to use your valuable post herbicides on the acres that really need it.
Once herbicides are chosen, it is time to evaluate the adjuvant(s) recommended or required by the herbicide labels. In order for any pesticide to work, it must come in contact with the pest, enter or be taken up by the pest, translocate to the site of action within the pest, and accumulate at the site of action in sufficient quantities to kill the pest. Adjuvants help pesticides accomplish each step. Adjuvants are defined as any material added to a tank mix to aid or modify the action of an agrichemical or the physical characteristics of the mixture. They help farmers meet legal requirements while enhancing pesticide activity and minimizing or eliminating spray application problems. Adjuvants are designed to help herbicides achieve maximum efficacy. Without adjuvants, weed control is compromised which can cost up to half of the crop’s yield potential by allowing weeds to take the vital nutrients and water needed to maximize yield.
Know Your MOA
It’s important to remember adjuvants vary in formulation, which makes them more favorable to certain tank mixes. That’s why it’s critical to first know the mode of action (MOA) of your herbicide(s) before choosing adjuvants. Pre-emergence herbicides need to hold in the upper part of the soil profile in order to maximize weed seed–herbicide contact. If a soil-applied herbicide moves through the soil profile below the weed seed germination zone, weed control is compromised, thus forcing an additional herbicide application. In order to maximize residual herbicide performance, Helena recommends adding the adjuvant Grounded® to every application, unless excluded by a tank mix partner. Grounded has three distinct modes of action, allowing herbicides to achieve maximum efficacy.
In addition to aiding herbicides in holding in the upper soil profile, Grounded will aid in drift control and deposition of the herbicides.
In addition to aiding herbicides in holding in the upper soil profile, Grounded will aid in drift control and deposition of the herbicides. As an oil-based adjuvant, Grounded reduces driftable fines, helping your herbicides stay on target and providing deposition through the canopy when used in a post-emergence application. Putting all of the herbicides on target ensures the lethal dose for the target weeds is delivered. With the amount of money spent on herbicides every year combined with the liability associated with drift, it pays farmers to ensure every droplet stays on the acre.
Lastly, the addition of Grounded in certain tank mixes, such as k-salt glyphosates and atrazine or other flowable herbicides, greatly improves compatibility. The emulsifier in Grounded not only helps compatibility, but it also keeps the spray solution homogenous, allowing for trouble-free applications. At some point, every grower has experienced a sprayer that is out of commission due to a compatibility issue. A clogged-up sprayer on the turn-row wastes time and money, as well as potentially missing an application when there is a break in the weather to allow spraying.
Adding Grounded to herbicide tank mixes increases the length of residual weed control, keeps the herbicide on target, and improves compatibility and spray mix uniformity.
Adding Grounded to herbicide tank mixes increases the length of residual weed control, keeps the herbicide on target, and improves compatibility and spray mix uniformity. No matter the herbicides used this season, make sure to get your money’s worth with the right adjuvants in the tank. Staying on top of these additional factors can also maximize your herbicide investments: mixing order, carrier volume (GPA), PSI, nozzle type (droplet size and spray pattern), sprayer speed, and application timing (proper height and growth stage). Most importantly, never let up on weed control no matter the circumstances. Cutting corners up front can cost more in the end due to loss of yield and poor weed control, putting more weed seed in the soil seed bank.
Contact your local Helena representative to create your weed control program today.
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