Responsible Development and Use of the Enlist TM Weed Control System

Transcription

1 Responsible Development and Use of the Enlist TM Weed Control System

2 Enlist Weed Control System Dow AgroSciences is developing the Enlist Weed Control System to help farmers manage hard-to-control weeds, including those that are glyphosate-resistant. Enlist is an innovative combination of herbicides and herbicide-tolerant traits to meet the weed control challenges facing farmers. This system will give farmers the clean fields that are necessary to protect yields and help feed a growing population, while maintaining modern and sustainable farming practices.. The Enlist Weed Control System will provide tolerance to Enlist Duo TM herbicide with Colex-D Technology, a proprietary blend of glyphosate and new 2,4-D choline. Agricultural Stewardship Often considered the original stewards of the land, there are few people more dedicated to preserving the environment than farmers. With an understanding that the health of a crop and viability of an operation depends on healthy land, air and water, farmers have called for and quickly adopted new technology and management practices that minimize environmental impact and protect our natural resources. Today, farmers are conservation stewards, efficiently using fertilizer, using conservation tillage practices, and other tools to preserve the environment. And, where they raise their crops, many of them also raise their families, which makes stewarding the land for today and the future even more important. As new technology is introduced, farmers will continue to demand innovative tools. Dow AgroSciences has invested in bringing forward a stewardship initiative with the Enlist Weed Control System to help farmers continue to build on their responsible practices and provide a tool to advance Enlist Weed Control System Built on the Foundation of Stewardship Dow AgroSciences is committed to stewardship of the Enlist system and has developed the Enlist Stewardship Program, a comprehensive care and guidance initiative to promote responsible use and sustain its long-term performance. The Enlist Stewardship Program focuses on educating and training retailers, farmers and applicators on the appropriate use of the technology. Stewardship of Enlist will be accomplished with a multi-faceted approach, including a variety of tools and delivery methods, plus working with customers, stakeholders and industry organizations. The Enlist Stewardship Program is designed to promote responsible use of the Enlist Weed Control System through: Promoting compatibility with other crops and cropping systems Minimizing the potential for off-target movement Promoting Weed Resistance Management practices Supporting compliance with federal requirements. Dow AgroSciences has a long-standing commitment to product stewardship and is a proud member of:

3 Technology Advancements Colex-D TM Technology has been developed specifically for use in Enlist crops, and will be featured in herbicides in the Enlist TM Weed Control System. Extensive scientific research has shown that Colex-D Technology delivers significant reduction in off-target movement through both volatility and physical drift. Components New 2,4-D product (2,4-D choline) Latest formulation science Proprietary manufacturing process Volatility Reduction Attributes Ultra-low volatility Minimized potential for physical drift (fewer driftable fines) Decreased odour Improved handling characteristics Herbicides containing new 2,4-D choline, a component of Colex-D Technology, have proven to have ultra-low volatility in both laboratory and field trials. Laboratory tests utilized sensitive plants such as tomatoes and grapes next to plants treated with extremely high rates of 2,4-D products in an enclosed chamber to test volatility. These sensitive crop plants showed little to no response from the 2,4-D choline treatment to neighbouring plants. Small scale field tests also showed very little crop injury from volatility when soil flats treated with high rates of 2,4-D choline were placed in close proximity to cotton, which is sensitive to 2,4-D, under a low tunnel where the temperature was very high. Volatility Study at Mississippi State University Low tunnel cotton results 2,4-D Ester + Glyphosate Herbicide solution featuring Colex-D Technology Distance in feet Distance in feet % visual injury 28DAT 14DAT 7DAT 3DAT Percent crop injury (Days after treatment) 20% 18% 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% In-field volatility tests were conducted in The tests occurred under multiple environmental conditions and were intended to simulate real world farming situations. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in volatility with 2,4-D choline vs. traditional forms of 2,4-D. Field Studies Show Reduced Volatility 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% % of Applied 2,4-D Vapour Loss after 60 Hours Foliar Application 2,4-D Ester 2,4-D DMA 2,4-D choline Physical Drift Reduction Soil Application 2,4-D Ester 2,4-D DMA Colex-D Technology will also minimize the potential for physical drift by optimizing the spray particle distribution and minimizing the number of driftable fines. Both wind tunnel and field data show significant drift reduction from herbicides featuring Colex-D Technology. Wind Tunnel and Field Research Shows Reduced Drift 2,4-D choline Field studies were conducted with advanced air sampling equipment and show a significant quantitative reduction in volatility in both soil and foliar applications. Traditional 2,4-D Wind Tunnel Drift Results 3 Drift at 6.6 ft Herbicide featuring Colex-D Technology Drift at 16.4 ft Traditional 2,4-D Herbicide featuring Colex-D Technology Wind tunnel studies conducted at the University of Queensland, Australia, show reduced herbicide drift of 56% and 86% at 6.6 feet and 16.4 feet respectively downwind. Relative Spray Deposition at 100 ft Downwind 4 Drift studies in collaboration with the University of Nebraska and the University of Queensland using commercial equipment show a 45% reduction in physical drift with herbicides featuring Colex-D Technology. Photos from an application at a Dow AgroSciences research station in 6.5 km/h winds visually show the reduction in driftable fines from herbicides featuring Colex-D Technology traditional 2,4-D XR nozzle type Herbicide featuring Colex-D Technology Crops treated with 2,4-D choline showed very little visual injury in comparison to traditional forms of 2,4-D in volatility studies where soil flats were treated with high rates and covered with plastic to create conditions conducive to volatilization. 2,4-D DMA tank mix Premix with Colex-D Technology

4 Management Recommendations and Resources Farmers utilizing the Enlist Weed Control System will be provided a comprehensive Product Use Guide and proposed management practices that will enable responsible use of the technology. This Product Use Guide will be a material part of the Technology Use Agreement that farmers will sign to gain access to the technology. Spray Nozzle Selection Proper spray nozzle selection plays a critical part in minimizing the potential for physical drift. Dow AgroSciences will provide information that can be used to select the proper nozzle types in the Product Use Guide. XR Nozzle Low Drift Nozzle Proposed Management Practices Authorized Herbicides Use of authorized herbicides is required for in-crop applications Follow all herbicide label directions Environmental Conditions Do not apply into an area where temperature inversions are present Apply in wind conditions between 3 and 16 km/h. Never apply in winds exceeding 16 km/h, or in periods of dead calm. Application and Application Equipment Only apply with ground application equipment Use spray nozzles that produce a coarse or coarser spray droplet size If a coarse or coarser spray droplet cannot be achieved with equipment setup, then maintain a minimum 15 metre buffer up wind of sensitive areas Maintain a boom height of 60 cm (24 inches) or less above the crop canopy Only utilize compatible tank additives with authorized herbicides Utilize recommended sprayer and equipment cleanout procedures Weed Resistance Management Follow weed resistance management practices as recommended by extension specialists and product labels Diversify herbicide modes of action as part of a comprehensive weed management plan Use the correct rate for the most hard-to-control weed in the field Apply foundation herbicide products pre-plant or pre-emergence that contain non-glyphosate (group 9) and non-synthetic auxin (group 4) chemistry Trait Stewardship If the herbicide-tolerant traits are stacked with insect resistant traits, follow applicable refuge requirements Follow applicable grain handling and marketing guidelines This figure shows the difference in spray droplet and pattern between different nozzle types. In addition to the reduced drift potential of herbicides featuring Colex-D Technology, Dow AgroSciences will recommend nozzle types and droplet sizes to minimize the potential for physical drift. Dow AgroSciences in-field research shows that a combination of herbicides containing Colex-D Technology plus utilization of proper spray nozzles can decrease physical drift by up to 90% versus a standard XR nozzle applying a tank mix of glyphosate and traditional 2,4-D. Field Trials Show Further Reduced Physical Drift with Proper Nozzle Selection Relative Spray Deposition at 100 ft Downwind 4 traditional 2,4-D XR nozzle type Herbicide featuring Colex-D Technology Weed Resistance Management AIXR nozzle type Herbicide featuring Colex-D Technology Drift studies in collaboration with the University of Nebraska and the University of Queensland, Australia using commercial equipment show a combined total of 90% reduction in physical drift with herbicides featuring Colex-D Technology used with an AIXR nozzle type. Use of alternative herbicidal modes of action in combination with Integrated Weed Management practices will help sustain the use of the Enlist Weed Control System. Dow AgroSciences will recommend a balanced combination of weed resistance management tools to minimize the potential of further development of resistant weeds in the future.

5 Education, Training and Outreach An important part of Dow AgroSciences development of the Enlist Weed Control System is education, training and outreach. It is essential to gain stakeholder input from across the agriculture value chain and also provide a comprehensive approach to training these same audiences. Technical Support for Enlist Dow AgroSciences has technical staff to provide information and support to farmers, retail sales representatives, applicators and others in the industry. Training Through Dow AgroSciences network of field scientists and, sales representatives, thorough training will be provided for the Enlist Weed Control System. Dow AgroSciences has invested in a Learning Management System that will provide an interactive web-based education. Training Topics Weed resistance and hard-to-control weeds Utilizing a herbicide program approach (multiple modes of action) Enlist Weed Control System basics Spray application including minimizing off-target movement Colex-D Technology: Reductions in volatility and minimized potential for drift Industry Outreach Dow AgroSciences has sought input from many stakeholder groups on factors to consider related to development and commercialization of the Enlist Weed Control System including: Farmers Fruit and vegetable growers and processors Seed and agricultural chemical retailers and distributors Crop consultants Members of the grain channel National and provincial associations Academics and extension specialists Academic Outreach As a leader in weed management, Dow AgroSciences holds an active role in the Canadian Weed Science Society. The academic community has been consulted on several areas for input into the development of the Enlist Weed Control System. In addition, the academic community in Canada has been involved in the research, testing and development of the Enlist Weed Control System. Farmer Communication and Dialogue An important enabler of successful coexistence between row crop, specialty, organic and other types of operations is open communication and dialogue. Dow AgroSciences encourages this dialogue between neighbours and applicators to increase awareness and minimize potential concerns related to technology.

6 Scientific Data Citations: 1) Eytcheson, A.N., D.B. Reynolds, J.T. Irby, L.E. Steckel, L.C. Walton, R. A. Haygood, D. T. Ellis, and J. S. Richburg, 2012, Volatility of GF-2726 as Compared with Other Auxin Herbicides. Proceedings of the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference. 2) Havens, P.L., D.E. Hillger, S. Cryer, D. Ouse, D.M. Simpson, J.S. Richburg, R.B. Lassiter Quantifying the Volatility Transport Potential of Different 2,4-D Forms. Proceedings of the 2012 Weed Science Society of America. 3) Wilson, S.L., K. Qin, B. Downer Reducing Herbicide Particle Drift with Combinations of Application Equipment and Herbicide Formulation Innovations. Proceedings of the 65th Annual Meeting of the North Central Weed Science Society. 4) Hillger, D.E., P. L. Havens, S. L. Wilson, K. Qin, G. R. Kruger, A. J. Hewitt, Evaluating the Reduction of Driftable Fines. Proceedings of the 2012 Weed Science Society of America. Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ( Dow ) or an affiliated company of Dow. Components of the Enlist Weed Control System have not yet received regulatory approvals. The information presented is not an offer for sale. Enlist Duo is not yet registered for sale or use as part of the Enlist Weed Control System. Always read and follow label directions Dow AgroSciences LLC 12/