June 13, 2018
Sponsored Content
Complete the steps to avoid sprayer contamination that can damage crops when moving from one field to another.
Proper sprayer cleanout helps avoid unintended crop injury. It should not be overlooked, says David Hillger, Enlist™ field specialist.
“An important part of stewardship of any herbicide technology is always being prepared for application of the next product,” Hillger explains. “After you finish your last field, clean the sprayer immediately because dried herbicide residues are harder to get out of the sprayer.
“Thorough cleanout of the spray tank and nozzles is the first step to minimize the potential for sprayer contamination and damage to susceptible crops. Many smaller, less visible sprayer parts also come in contact with the herbicide. These must be thoroughly cleaned, as well. Don’t overlook hoses, screens, filters, pumps and dead ends on the boom.”
Additionally, remember to keep other equipment, such as pumps, clean when switching to the next product.
Take time, triple-rinse
Triple-rinsing the sprayer and its components is a must after applying Enlist Duo® or Enlist One™ herbicide to any crop other than glyphosate-tolerant corn. This helps ensure any remaining Enlist herbicides are removed from the system.
Rinse 1: Be sure to rinse the tank walls.
Drain the spray system (including lines and boom) for no less than five minutes.
Fill the tank with clean water to at least 10 percent of the tank’s total water volume. The larger the sprayer tank, the more water you will need.
Circulate clean water through the system for at least 15 minutes.
Spray out the rinse solution through the boom/nozzles.
Rinse 2:
Completely drain the spray system, including lines and booms. Remember: Spray solution can be hard to drain from low-lying hoses and the dead ends of sprayer booms. Loosen and remove hoses and end caps to drain if needed.
Remove and clean all filters and strainers.
Fill the tank with clean water to at least 10 percent of the tank’s total water volume.
If desired, add a commercial tank cleaner. Several products are approved for use with Enlist Duo herbicide.
Circulate clean water through the system for at least 15 minutes.
Leave the solution in the system for several hours. Overnight is preferable if time allows.
Spray out the rinse solution through the boom/nozzles.
Rinse 3:
Completely drain the spray system, including lines and booms.
Fill the tank with clean water to at least 10 percent of the tank’s total water volume.
Circulate water through the system for at least 15 minutes.
Spray out the rinse solution through the boom/nozzles.
Completely drain the spray system, and then remove and clean the nozzle tips and strainers separately.
Single-rinse before spraying glyphosate-resistant corn
After applying Enlist Duo or Enlist One herbicide, a simple single-rinse is all that is necessary when your next application will be over glyphosate-tolerant corn. Use the steps listed in “Rinse 1” above.
After these steps, you can use your sprayer to apply the appropriate herbicides to glyphosate-resistant corn.
“Reading the herbicide label, being prepared and properly cleaning the sprayer between applications of different herbicides will help you avoid crop damage from herbicide contamination of the equipment,” Hillger says.
For more information about the Enlist system, contact your local ag retailer, Dow AgroSciences sales representative or Enlist™ field specialist. Visit Enlist.com for valuable information, such as the product used guides and labels for Enlist Duo® and Enlist One™.
®™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”) or affiliated companies of Dow or DuPont. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use in Enlist crops. Always read and follow label directions. ©2018 Dow AgroSciences LLC.
About the Author
You May Also Like