The smart guy is going to do a jar test and find a Crop Oil that is compatible with the products he/she wants to use based on their water source!! Also, we (UGA and Syngenta) will provide kits to address this next year and the process will be much easier with these kits as compared to information provided below. If you (only you guys) want a kit for this year call Wilson Faircloth (Syngenta) at 229-854-0278 and he will send you one.
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During 2012, numerous tank compatibility issues
occurred when mixing paraquat (Gramoxone SL 2.0 and others) with commonly used
burndown or preemergence herbicides for cotton (Figure 1). Efforts over the winter have shown that each
major supplier of adjuvants (non-ionic surfactants, AMS, crop oils, etc.) has
products that are effective in avoiding compatibility issues (Figure 2). Two themes are clear from these tests: 1) use
higher GPA’s such as 15 when possible, and 2) slow down and remember proper
pesticide mixing procedures; such as adding half the water to the tank before
adding ANY pesticide or adjuvant to the spray tank. Due to the numerous adjuvants available,
different water sources, and spray volumes, the best approach is for each
grower to conduct compatibility tests prior to mixing herbicides in their spray
tank.
Methods to conduct compatibility tests
when applying paraquat mixtures at 15 GPA:
1. Place 1 quart of water in an approved clear
container for pesticides.
2. Add adjuvants: 4.7 mls or 1 teaspoon equals
0.5% v/v as recommended. Invert
10 times and evaluate. Invert EACH time you add an adjuvant or
pesticide to the container.
3. Add 7.9 mls of Reflex, or 1.5 teaspoons (this
equals 1 pt/A).
4. Now each grower would have to decide which Reflex
tank mix partner will be used such as Warrant, Direx,
or Prowl. For Warrant add 24 mls or 5
teaspoons (equal to 3 pt/A), Direx add 12 ml or 2.5 teaspoons (equal to 1.5
pt/A) or Prowl add 16 mls or 3 teaspoons (equal to 1 qt/A).
5. Add 16 mls or 3 teaspoons of paraquat (this
equals 1 qt/A).
6. After placing products in container, place
lid on container and tighten. Invert at
least 10 times and evaluate.
7. If incompatibility is apparent, repeat the
test with the addition of a compatibility agent at the
appropriate
rate BEFORE adding a non-ionic surfactant.
AMS-containing adjuvants have beeneffective in some cases.
8. After compatibility testing is complete,
dispose of any pesticides and containers in accordance with the
Storage
and Disposal section of the labels for the herbicides used.
Spray Tank Mixing Order When Applying Paraquat:
1 . Fill spray tank ½ full with clean water.
2. Begin tank agitation and continue agitation
until the tank is empty after application.
3. High quality adjuvant(s).
4. Dry Formulations (WP, DF, etc.)
5. Liquid Formulations (SC, EC, L, etc.)
6. Paraquat
7. Fill remainder of spray tank
Additional Thoughts:
1. Using at least 15 GPA carrier volume will
lesson compatibility issues; thus, the example above used 15
GPA, but if applying other volumes make appropriate changes above.
2. Each water source should be tested as it can greatly
impact compatibility.
3. Test each adjuvant; test 2012 product and
2013 product even if it is the same name brand.
4. Warm water will lessen compatibility issues.
5. If compatibility problems do occur in the
tank, a commercial degreaser has been shown to be an
effective cleaning agent. Avoid exposure to pesticides while cleaning
tanks.
6. The example above uses general herbicide
rates; adjust rates according to those being applied.
7. Pesticide mixing containers can be purchased:
http://www.co2sprayers.com/results.cfm?Category=56&subcat=ALL
8. Syringes, marked in ml, can be purchased at: http://www.fishersci.com (just search syringes).
9. Joint efforts are underway between Syngenta
and UGA to develop and distribute an inexpensive test kit that is simple to use for
2014.
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| Figure 1. Fomesafen + paraquat with an incompatible non-ionic surfactant. |
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|
Figure 2. Fomesafen + paraquat with a compatible
non-ionic surfactant.
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