BASF gives growers more consistent control with the introduction of Guardsman Max herbicide, a pre-mix for grass and broadleaf weed control in corn and sorghum.

“Guardsman Max consistently delivers superior weed control in variable weather conditions and a variety of tillage systems,” says BASF Market Manager Kent Stickler. “In addition, Guardsman Max has the lowest use rate per acre for pre-emergence herbicides.”

Labeled crops

Guardsman Max is labeled for use in field corn, popcorn, seed corn, sweet corn and grain sorghum. It's a pre-mix that was designed for use in all tillage systems, including tough no-till acres. It also offers flexibility. The active ingredients are dimethenamid-P, which inhibits root and shoot growth, and atrazine, which stops photosynthesis.

Guardsman Max controls the toughest annual grasses, including barnyardgrass, crabgrass and foxtails, and many others. Guardsman Max also controls broadleaf weeds such as jimsonweed, lambsquarters, nightshade and waterhemp, as well as sedges.

Guardsman Max offers a wide window of application, from early preplant to early postemergence. It can be used alone or in a tank-mix. Application rates range from as low as 2.4 pints per acre on coarse soils with less than three percent organic matter up to 4.6 pints per acre on fine-textured soils.

Active in weed zone

“Guardsman Max has a unique ability to stay active in the weed germination zone,” says Stickler. “It remains soluble enough to make the herbicide more available for weed control. And it washes off residue more readily.”

This activity in the weed germination zone was demonstrated by string tests. Studies were conducted comparing weed control results at field use rates of Guardsman Max herbicide and other pre-emergence herbicides.

A spray solution of each herbicide was applied to a string and the string was placed one half inch below the soil surface and buried. Trays were then planted with weed seeds. Guardsman Max is more available in the weed germination zone for uptake by germinating weeds, compared to BicepII Magnum and Harness Xtra herbicides.

For more information about Guardsman Max, visit www.guardsmanmax.basfcorp.com.