Part Four: Proper Herbicide Tank Mixes for a Late Planting Year (Like This One)

What is the best way to make sure my chemicals are compatible and to introduce them into the spray solution? If you have ever had to clean out a sprayer that contained mixed chemicals that were not compatible and resembled the consistency of cottage cheese, one lesson you learned is that you never want to experience that again. To check chemicals prior to making this mistake, keep a small Mason jar handy to put small quantities of the chemicals together and observe how they interact with one another. If they mix together and remain in liquid form or in suspension in water, you’re all set. If they turn solid, better in the jar than in your tank!

With new chemicals on the market and new combinations of chemicals, the jar test is a necessary procedure for applicators. Another key procedure for applicators is the proper mixing order for chemicals. What goes in first? What goes in last?  This is a proven method to mitigate antagonism and produce the best solution for efficacy and sprayability.

Management Tip: Fill tank one-third to one-half full with water and add any needed water-conditioning agents.

If ammonium sulfate is to be used with glyphosate or glufosinate solutions, add it right away and agitate continually throughout the mixing procedure. During agitation, monitor for foaming problems, or if chemicals are known to foam, add de-foamers at this point.

Management Tip: Remember the WALESorder for tank mixing.

• W= Products that start with “W” formulations, such as wettable powders (WP) or water dispersible granules (WDG).
• A= Agitation. Make sure agitation is not excessive, as this may increase foaming.
• L= Liquid, or flowable, herbicides.
• E= Emulsifiable concentrates (EC).
• S= Surfactants, such as non-ionic surfactants, crop oil concentrates or methylated seed oil.
• Drift control agents should be added last.

Enlist E3 Applications

With the exciting news of Enlist E3^™ soybeans, growers have been asking for spray recommendations. We typically recommend growers consult the Enlist tank mix guidelines outlined on www.enlisttankmix.com, but here are a few things to consider.

By now, you should have applied an effective pre-emerge herbicide and have received adequate moisture to get good activation. For post-emerge applications, consider using Enlist Duo^® (2,4-D Colex® + glyphosate). If you have glyphosate-resistant weeds, remember this system allows you to include glufosinate with glyphosate and Enlist One® for effective weed control strategies. The key to this system seems to be to mix and spray the solution as you would if you were applying glufosinate only. This means that the ammonium sulfate load is key as the carrier and should be used in the 1.25–2.5 lbs./acre range. Also, you should spray the solution at 12–18 gallons/acre to provide maximum coverage. Utilize tips that will provide optimum dispersion droplets while eliminating fines (consult the Enlist One or Duo labels for tip recommendations).  Under hot, humid conditions, this mix can get quite “hot,” so adding adjuvants or oil-based herbicides is not recommended unless absolutely necessary.

Enlist Duo is an EC or SL formulation and confers tolerance to 2,4-D Colex and glyphosate. 

• Rate range is 3.5 pt/acre (3–6” weeds) to 4.75 pt/acre (glyphosate-resistant or hard-to-control weeds)

Enlist One is an SL formulation and confers tolerance to 2,4-D Colex.                                                        

• Rate range is 1.5 pt/acre (3–6” weeds) to 2.0 pt/acre (glyphosate-resistant or hard-to-control weeds)

Management Tip: When mixing with Enlist One, do not pour glufosinate or glyphosate into the tank simultaneously with Enlist One. Add products one at a time, allowing for adequate agitation between additions of products.

Enlist can be sprayed on soybeans up to the R2 (full flower) stage. Labeled weeds controlled and suppressed include common ragweed, giant ragweed, morning glory, palmer amaranth, velvetleaf, waterhemp, marestail and lambsquarters.

For more tips on herbicide tank mixing, consult the crop protection manufacturer’s website or technical representative. Remember to always consult herbicide use labels before application and follow all labels.