JLB Oil Plus Improved: Combating Problematic Woody Plant Species
Two types of woody plant species have become problematic in many habitats across the United States. These include invasive non-native and native woody plants both of which need to be managed to prevent their establishment and proliferation in the habitats they have become problematic. What are invasive species and why should I care about them? […]
How Does Water Quality Affect Pesticide Effectiveness?
When the application of a pesticide fails to deliver the desired control of a pest, the immediate thoughts are that something is wrong with the pesticide or there is pesticide resistance. However, the cause may be due to a different reason, water quality. Water is the most common ingredient in pesticide applications. Water is an […]
Protecting Forests from Invasive Plants
Forests occupy one-third of our land area and play an important part in sustaining life on earth. Forests and their ecosystems help stabilize climate, regulate the water cycle, and provide food and shelter for thousands of life forms. All these benefits are collectively referred to as ecosystem services for which the forest understory is important. […]
Understanding Herbicide Applications in Fall and Winter Months: Timing, Benefits, and Considerations
Herbicide application for aquatic weeds in fall and winter is generally not recommended due to low effectiveness and potential risks. However, applying herbicides for land management during the fall and winter months can be an effective strategy for managing weeds, particularly perennials, biennials and winter annual species. Perennial weeds are plants that live for multiple […]
Tackling the Spread and Consequences of Invasive Aquatic Weeds
Invasive aquatic plants are generally defined as non-native species from other regions or countries that cause ecological or economic harm to natural or managed ecosystems. Invasive plants disrupt ecosystems by inhibiting native plant growth and interfering with human activities like boating and fishing. They form thick surface canopies that block sunlight, alter water flow, and […]
Understanding Emulsifiable Concentrate Herbicides: What They Are and How They Work
Figure showing before, during and after addition and mixing of an EC formulation to water In agriculture, aquatics, and land management, applying herbicides efficiently and safely is essential for managing unwanted vegetation. Pesticide chemicals, which serve as the active ingredients (a.i.), are not suitable for weed control in their raw or unformulated state due to […]
Minimizing post-application pesticide movement: Important considerations
Understanding how pesticides move in the environment is crucial. While drift is a direct result of spray applications, pesticides can also move after the initial application. This movement, influenced by pesticide properties, affects their final destination and activity. It’s beneficial for applicators to comprehend this process to mitigate the downstream impact on different environments and […]
The Impact of Pesticide Properties after Spray Application
Pesticide drift from the target area is a common occurrence during spray applications. As discussed in a previous post (Pesticides Drift from Spray Applications) spray applications affect where pesticides end up in the environment and their potential impact. Here, we provide important considerations regarding the fate of sprayed pesticides. Pesticide applicators are generally responsible for […]
Pesticide Drift from Spray applications
Spray application is one of the most common ways to apply pesticides. This method of application requires liquid or dry pesticide formulations to be dissolved or suspended in water or oil-based mixtures prior to application. Spray applications are conducted using a range of equipment from handheld equipment, backpack sprayers, tractor-mounted sprayers, boom sprayers, aerial sprayers […]
The impact of silicone-based surfactants on herbicide spray applications
Silicone-based surfactants, also known as organosilicon surfactants, are a specialized type of surfactant incorporating both silicon and organic groups within their chemical structure. This unique composition confers distinct properties that have profound impacts on herbicide spray applications. Within herbicide formulations, adjuvants containing silicone-based surfactants are frequently employed to enhance critical aspects such as wetting, spreading, […]