Vapor Effect Reduction from Volatile Herbicides

Introduction

Dicamba and 2,4-D are growth-regulator herbicides that provide excellent broad-leaf weed control.  Recently released trait genes allow for wide scale use of these herbicides over broad-leaf crops.  Unfortunately, both dicamba and 2,4-D are known to have a high vapor pressure, which, under the wrong conditions, may lead to a cloud of herbicide vapors that may migrate off of the applied field.  This herbicide vapor cloud may then contact sensitive plants in an adjoining field, leading to damage of the sensitive plants.

Description of Technology

This technology is an adjuvant used to reduce the amount of dicamba, 2,4-D, or other volatile herbicides that enter the vapor phase, without reducing the herbicidal activity of the volatile herbicide.  The adjuvant degrades herbicide that is on the surface of the plant through a photo-catalyzed reaction.  The adjuvant may also enter the vapor phase and degrade vapor-phase herbicide.  Neighboring fields of sensitive crops may also be protected by spraying these fields with the adjuvant as protection against herbicide vapor drift.  The adjuvant is low-cost and widely available.

Benefits

• Insurance against herbicide vapor drift: reduces the risk of dicamba or 2,4-D vapor drift onto neighboring fields.
• Lower-risk control of glyphosate-resistant weeds in a trait stack with glyphosate resistance
• Low cost: the adjuvant is widely available,GRAS, and cost-effective

Applications

• Tank mix by consumer with volatile herbicide
• All-in-one premix with volatile herbicide
• Stand-alone pretreatment for neighboring fields

Patent Status

US provisional application filed April 3, 2020.  US and foreign patents may be pursued.