With dicamba, managing weeds carefully has never been more important
Dicamba is the talk of the (herbicide) town right now, with a variety of new herbicide-tolerant traits coming to the market and recent approvals for over-the-top application.
Dicamba offers soil residual activity, up to 14 days of control for small-seeded broadleaf weeds. And soybeans with tolerance to the herbicide offer extended application flexibility to before, at and after planting, in addition to control of weeds that have developed resistance to other modes of action.
But dicamba also presents some new challenges to farmers looking for different options for weed control.
"Dicamba has some label restrictions I've never seen before, so you need to really look at the label carefully and don't assume anything," says Aaron Hager, Ph.D., associate professor of weed science at the University of Illinois. "Reading label instructions on herbicides has always been very important, regardless of the product."
For example, some label restrictions on dicamba products include both minimum and maximum wind speeds and if rain is expected within 24 hours you cannot apply, says Hager. The label also requires buffers that may be confusing.
"If farmers are spraying downwind, there has to be a 110-foot-buffer where you cannot apply dicamba," says Hager. "You may not know where that buffer will be until you pull into that field, it all depends on wind direction."
In addition, there is a maximum boom height, meaning the boom cannot be more than 24 inches above the canopy.
Dicamba is another tool farmers can use for weed control, but it must be used with care. While following label instructions has always been important, ensuring that all herbicide options remain as effective as possible make attention to the details and label instructions even more critical today.
The Do's and Do Not's of Dicamba Use
Do:
- Do only use approved dicamba formulations on tolerant crops. Recently approved formulations include DuPont's FeXapanTM with VaporGripTM technology, BASF's EugeniaTM, and Monsanto's XtendiMaxTM with VaporGripTM technology.
- Do read and follow the label instructions. Adhere to wind speed, buffer restrictions, boom height, weather conditions and application rates.
- Do only use approved nozzles.
- Do thoroughly clean equipment. Avoid all contact with all non-Roundup Ready® 2 Xtend crops.
- Do use dicamba as part of a diversified weed management plan with multiple modes of action. Tank mix partners have recently been approved for Eugenia, FeXapan and XtendiMax.
Do Not:
- Do not use any other dicamba formulation other than EugeniaTM, FeXapanTM or XtendiMaxTM on Roundup Ready® 2 Xtend crops.
- Do not tank mix with unapproved partners.
- Do not ignore the pesticide label. If you have questions, consult your local crop adviser.
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