Posted: June 1, 2009

Preliminary trials reveal that the classic flat fan may beat out new technologies when it comes to penetration and coverage in high stubble

The 8002 flat fan nozzle, the classic workhorse of sprayer nozzle technology, may have the edge over newer nozzle types when spraying into high stubble if a trial conducted by the AgTech Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta is any indication, says Brian Storozynsky, project manager with AgTech.

On the request of a group of producers, the AgTech Centre conducted a lab trial comparing spray penetration rates of a few nozzles, including 8002 flat fans, variable rate nozzles and twin nozzles when spraying into 18 to 26 inch high stubble. "The results suggested that the best penetration and coverage resulted from spraying high with the old-fashioned 80 degree flat fan, making sure the spray forward angle is adjusted slightly so the spray is always going straight down," says Storozynsky.

Trial findings

Because of its relative ease in direct seeding operations, seeding into high stubble has become a growing practice among producers in recent years. However, when it comes to sprayer application, it presents the challenge of hitting target weeds in such a high crop canopy.

In order to measure coverage, the AgTech Centre placed water sensitive cards inside the stubble just above the ground. The test area was then sprayed at a variety of speeds to compare the performance of the three nozzle types. "We quickly found that the twins weren't the way to go," says Storozynsky. "They were shooting anywhere from 15 to 45 degrees forward and backward."

The best coverage and penetration were found with the 8002 flat fans when sprayed high and straight down toward the target. Achieving this is largely a matter of adjusting speed or nozzle forward angle to get the spray droplets dropping straight down rather than droplets angling through stubble, says Storozynsky.

"Sometimes when you're going really fast – say 10 to 15 mph – the spray has a tendency to bend and spray at an angle backwards and that's not good in stubble. Wide angled and extended range 110 degree nozzles are not a good choice because the spray droplet trajectory is somewhat outward rather than downward."

Using the 8002 flat fan to spray high and straight down is also advantageous in terms of spray drift, he says. Besides the fact that 8002 flat fans are by nature a low-drift nozzle, the vertical angle of the spray also minimizes drift potential. "Usually, the wider the angle, the more drift there is."

More information available

Results of AgTech's machinery evaluations, applied and scientific research, and information on its development of innovative agricultural technologies are available to producers to help them make management decisions. For more information, contact Storozynsky at the AgTech Centre at (403) 329-1212.

Posted: June 1, 2009

More options for Prairie cereals added to custom-blending system.

Dupont Canada has added five newly registered blends of in-crop cereal herbicides along with Express Pro to its roster of products available through the PrecisionPac herbicide delivery system. (Read more about PrecisionPac here.

Products already on the roster include Express SG, for glyphosate burn-off, Refine SG broadleaf herbicide and Triton C for tough to control broadleaf weeds including cleavers Descriptions of the new additions, based on information from Dupont Canada, include:

DB-858: Broad-spectrum control for the brown soil zones. Tank-mixed with 2,4-D ester, this herbicide controls Group 2-resistant kochia, wild buckwheat, Russian thistle, narrow-leaved hawk's-beard and dandelion in the brown and dark brown soil zones. It includes active ingredients from Groups 2 and 4 and is registered for use in-crop in wheat and barley. Tank-mix options include Puma Super and Everest.

DB-8454: Tough to control and broad-spectrum broadleaf weed control. Targeted for the brown and dark brown soil zones, DB-8454 offers in-crop broadleaf weed control in spring wheat, durum and barley. This herbicide includes Groups 2 and 4 to control Group-2 resistant kochia, wild buckwheat, narrow-leaved hawk's-beard, dandelion and Russian thistle. It is also registered as a tank-mix with DuPont Harmony Grass, Horizon or Everest.

DB-10550: Broad-spectrum broadleaf weed control for brown soil zones. DB-10550 is designed for growers in the brown and dark brown soil zones with lighter populations of Group-2 resistant kochia as well as wild buckwheat (up to the 5-leaf stage), narrow-leaved hawk's-beard and Russian thistle. It can be tank-mixed with Horizon and includes Groups 2 and 4, and is registered for use in-crop in wheat (spring and durum) and barley.

Express PRO: For burn-off. Express PRO provides up to 15 days of extended control on tough-to-kill weeds such as dandelion, volunteer canola and narrow-leaved hawk's-beard. It's registered for use 24 hours prior to seeding wheat (spring, durum and winter) or spring barley with a limit of one application per year. Express PRO is also a good resistance management tool when tank-mixed with any brand of glyphosate.

PP-2525: Broad-spectrum weed control for black and dark brown soil zones. For in-crop weed control in wheat (spring and durum) and barley, PP-2525 controls wild buckwheat, volunteer canola, hemp-nettle, redroot pigweed and cow cockle. This new herbicide offers tank-mix and re-cropping flexibility. It can be tank-mixed with 2,4-D or Banvel for additional broadleaf control or with Puma Super or Everest for one-pass grass and broadleaf control.

PP-23235: Tough to control and broad-spectrum broadleaf weed control. This newly registered herbicide provides in-crop control of wild buckwheat, volunteer canola, stork's-bill, hemp-nettle, redroot pigweed and cow cockle. PP-23235 is registered for one application per year in spring wheat, durum and barley. It can be tank-mixed with Puma Super or 2,4-D.