Watch the Wind in Xtend Crop System
January 23, 2017 In his third blog on stewardship of XtendiMax and Engenia on Xtend crops, Larry Steckel turns his attention to the wind – more specifically, wind speed and direction.
Steckel, University of Tennessee Extension weed specialist, notes that the supplemental labels for XtendiMax and Engenia use in Xtend crops read the same with respect to application wind speed. According to the labels, the optimum wind speed window to apply either herbicide is between 3 and 10 mph.
“Applicators should try every way possible to apply these herbicides in that 3 to 10 mph wind window,” urges Steckel. “However, the herbicide labels for both also state that they can be applied outside of that 3 to 10 mph wind window if certain requirements are met.
“In the case of wind speed less than 3 mph, applications can be made if one checks to see if a temperature inversion is NOT occurring. “In the case of wind speed between 10 to 15 mph, applications are also permissible, provided no sensitive vegetation is downwind.”
Temperature inversions occur when air temperatures increase with height from the ground surface, resulting in a layer of cool, still air trapped near the ground below warmer air above. As Steckel explains, if a pesticide is sprayed during an inversion, fine droplets of the chemical can be concentrated in the cool layer near the ground and isolated from surrounding weather conditions. Potential droplet movement becomes unpredictable due to light variable winds common during inversions, and the chemical can move away from the target area.
Additional information about ways to detect inversions (smoke bombs, anyone?) and other wind speed restrictions can be found in Steckel’s blog, which is available here.
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