Pesticide applications dominate today’s agricultural landscape. These applications are critical for mitigating yield loss and managing a wide variety of pests. In today’s environment, it is critical that pesticide applicators focus on both managing the pest as well as mitigating environmental impact to non-target areas or non-target organisms.
Figure 1. The Capstan PinPoint® pulse-width modulation (PWM) sprayer used for this research is shown at the Palmer amaranth field site located near Beaver City. (Photos by Thomas Butts)
Achieving the most effective and consistent spray droplet size helps provide for precision application of pesticides, which saves input costs and reduces off-target movement. University researchers using a pulse-width modulation sprayer studied the best droplet size for effective weed control with six herbicides used in Nebraska crop production.
The new phenoxy herbicide formulations, including Enlist Duo™ (Dow), XtendiMax® (Monsanto), Engenia™ (BASF), and FeXapan™ (DuPont), offer growers new management options along with new application requirements. To alleviate problems related to applying new phenoxy herbicide formulations in soybeans as well as to increase herbicide performance, manufacturers have established application requirements. Here we discuss some of the key application factors to consider.
Figure 1. (Top left) Newly emerged horseweed seedlings in the cotyledon stage. (Bottom left) Seedling in the rosette stage with true leaves formed. (Right) Horseweed plants that are early in the bolting stage.
Horseweed (marestail, Conyza canadensis L.) is a unique weed species that can emerge in both fall and spring. In Nebraska, unlike the eastern Corn Belt, horseweed populations predominantly emerge in fall as a winter annual.
Using the right pesticide sprayer nozzle for the job can improve application efficiency, reduce spray drift, and save you money in the long run. But with all the nozzles available and new nozzle recommendations on pesticide labels, how can you be sure you're making the best selection?
Find out at a Nebraska Extension workshop on Nozzle Selection and Pest Management Practices with Pesticides Jan. 15 at the UNL ARDC in Mead.
