A recent CropLife article discusses the alarming increase in herbicide-resistant weeds in agriculture. The process of how weeds become resistant to herbicides is not always obvious, but it does come down to the fact that the weeds encountered active ingredients and did not get killed by it.
In an earlier blog post, we discussed ways to optimize pre-emergence applications. One of the things to remember is to make sure that the herbicide is applied correctly at any time. That includes the usage of adjuvants for proper deposition, spreading, penetration, and water conditioning. If the pesticide does not make it to the target plant in the right amount, the weed can survive, and future populations can form genetic resistance against the chemical.
Adjuvant selection has a vast influence on crop protection products’ performance. The table above shows the decrease in performance in various situations. Selecting the wrong type of adjuvant reduces pesticide performance and can even lead to an increased risk of crop injury.
This performance information is based on empirical data collected by Joe Gednalske and his team. Joe Gednalske is the former Director of R&D for WinField United’s Innovation Center and currently consults for the CPDA. They have conducted hundreds of field research tests over twenty years. They were able to summarize the “Value of Adjuvants” over the years of testing. Their conclusions were backed up by Rick Zollinger, NDSU Extension Service and Weed Specialist, saying, “WinField United research mirrors what I have observed in NDSU field trials.” Also, university researchers in Canada have agreed with WinField’s conclusions. The results shows that making mistakes in adjuvant selection can be substantial.
Adjuvants can help with the proper deposition, spreading, and penetration of the pesticide in the target. Also, adequate water conditioning can help prevent herbicide resistance as hard water ions, or the wrong pH can render the pesticide less effective.
Applying a pesticide without the recommended adjuvants can reduce the effectiveness, increase the risk of herbicide resistance or even hurt the crop.
To optimize herbicide effectiveness, it is crucial to maximize on-target deposition. A pesticide that does not make it to the intended location or rolls right off will not be able to penetrate the leaf of the weed and do its job.
When a pesticide is sprayed on a plant, ensuring that the spray spreads out evenly helps the active ingredient cover a large leaf area. This enables efficient and fast penetration of the active into the leaf, enabling herbicides to enter the plant system quickly.
If the pesticide cannot make it through the cuticle of a plant, it will not reach the critical pathways in the plant. That means the pesticide will not be able to affect the plant growth negatively. Different plants have different cuticles (hard, waxy, or hairy), and environmental circumstances affect herbicide absorption. Adjuvants come with a broad range of properties that work best under unique conditions, ensuring the proper pesticide efficacy.
Adjuvants are an essential part of any weed management program and can make or break its success.
Pre-emergence herbicide applications offer a valuable tool to prevent or reduce weed infestations early in the season. While these applications are helpful, it can be a challenge to achieve optimum results. Adjuvant use is increasing and studies continue to prove their effectiveness.
Leaders from Exacto and other companies recently took part in advocacy activities in Washington, DC, engaging in twenty-four meetings with congressional leadership, senators, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They addressed a major challenge related to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Failed weed control may resemble herbicide resistance, but it’s not always the culprit. Recent cases of HPPD-inhibitor (group 27) herbicide failures have shown that certain application errors are more common culprits than resistance. This research shows ways to overcome these application challenges.
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