University of Missouri's Kevin Bradley and Mandy Bish recently shared a tailored list on several principles that have been researched and verified regarding dicamba usage ahead of #Plant2019.
Bradley and Bish's list includes five principles to remember when communicating with producers and general knowledge for extension specialists:
1. Dicamba can be detected in the air following treatment
Mizzou research clearly shows that concentrations of dicamba can be detected in the air following on-label applications of the approved dicamba products (Xtendimax, Engenia, and Fexapan). There is volatility of these herbicides. The questions industry should be asking are how much volatility results in off-target injury, and can we do anything to minimize it?
2. The addition of glyphosate (Roundup PowerMax, etc.) matters, and spray tank pH matters
Results from several regional university weed scientists have shown that incorporating glyphosate into an approved dicamba product will lower the pH. This can result in dicamba becoming more volatile as it dissociates to the acid form.
3. Soil pH does matter
Mizzou research shows that the lower a soil's pH, the more volatility there can be.
4. Temperature inversions are common
Be mindful of times of spraying and corresponding temperature inversions.
5. Burndown applications of dicamba can still cause problems
Bradley and Bish have some interesting links and graphs to additional articles and research data. Be sure to view the whole story here.