The easiest weed to manage is the one that doesn’t emerge.
Soil applied residual herbicides are the backbone of most weed control programs; the easiest weed to manage is the one that doesn’t emerge. And ‘soil applied’ generally refers to pre-plant (PP), pre-plant incorporated (PPI), and/or pre-emergence (PRE) applications.
Over time, with the development of new and better post emergent (POST) chemistries (including those linked to herbicide tolerance traits), the use of PPI has decreased. The tillage required with PPI is an extra step, and while PPI applications do tend to ensure better activation, POST products have allowed for management of any escapes with PP or PRE.
Unfortunately, resistance has limited and/or removed some POST herbicide options. And with spring weather anything but predictable, PP and PRE applications are challenged by inconsistent activating rains. Given all of this, there is growing interest in a return to PPI applications.
As mentioned above, PPI tends to ensure better activation, by getting the herbicide into the germination zone of the weeds. Ideas vary as to incorporation depth, but a rule of thumb is that most of the herbicide tends to get mixed into the soil half the depth that the tillage implement is set.1
Be aware that not all soil applied herbicides can be applied via PPI; read and follow the label. Within ADAMA’s portfolio PHANTOM® 240 SL (imazethapyr) and SQUADRON® (metribuzin) have PPI uses. Please reference the label for greater information, but consider PPI as a tool to help increase activation, of particular value where POST options may be limited.
If questions on PPI for PHANTOM® 240 SL or SQUADRON®, or anything else related to ADAMA’s portfolio, please reach out.
PHANTOM 240 SL: PHANTOM® 240 SL | ADAMA East Canada
SQUADRON: SQUADRON® | ADAMA East Canada
***always read and follow the label***
Cited Literature: 1 https://my.ucanr.edu/repository/fileaccess.cfm?article=161312&p=AUZGQB (from the University of California)