RAMROD - Crop Carem.cropcare.com.au/assets/2175/1/BRRamrod-2016TechnicalManual.pdf · Ramrod Flowable Herbicide contains 480g/L of propachlor and is a Group K pre-emergence selective

TECHNICAL MANUALRAMROD

KEY POINTS

Ramrod Flowable Herbicide is a pre-emergent herbicide for use in maize, sorghum, sweetcorn, onions, brassicas, beetroot, silverbeet, spinach, leeks, garlic, radish, swede and turnips.

Ramrod offers a number of key benefits for growers:

• Little to no plant-back,

• Residual control of broadleaf and grass weeds for 6 to 8 weeks,

• Can be used pre-crop emergence or post transplant in a number of vegetable crops,

• Can be tank mixed with Romper® 440 and Dacthal® 900WG to broaden the weed spectrum,

• A Group K herbicide and a useful resistance management option,

• Ramrod has a residual activity for a period of around 6 to 8 weeks which allows for normal crop rotation,

• Ramrod can be tank mixed with a range of alternative herbicides to extend the weed spectrum and the period of residual weed control,

• Ramrod controls weed seedlings during germination and early growth by inhibiting protein synthesis and root elongation,

• Ramrod is activated by moisture and best results will be obtained when 8 to 12 mm of rain occurs within a week of application,

• Ramrod is an effective pre-emergence herbicide but will also control annual grasses up to the one leaf stage under moist conditions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 4

Mode of Action 4

Crop Selectivity 4

Seedbed Preparation 4

Residual Activity 4

CURRENT LABEL AND PERMITS 5

WEED SPECTRUM 6

FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE 7

Soil Moisture 7

Soil Type 7

Cultivation 7

Application 7

Use Precautions 7

CROP INFORMATION 8

Maize, Sorghum and Sweet Corn 8

Onion, Leeks and Garlic 8

Brassica Crops 9

Spinach, Silverbeet and Radish 9

FORMULATION AND PACKAGING 10

Structural Formula 10

Physical and Chemical Properties of Propachlor 11

Effect on Organisms in the Environment 11

Environment and Toxicology Profile of Propachlor 11

Ramrod Flowable Herbicide contains 480g/L of propachlor and is a Group K pre-emergence selective herbicide. It is active on many annual grasses and on various broadleaf weeds.

Ramrod may be used on a wide range of crops: maize, sorghum, sweetcorn, leeks, garlic, onions, brassicas, beetroot, silverbeet, spinach, swedes, turnips and radish.

Ramrod has a residual activity of 6 to 8 weeks which allows for a normal crop rotation without any residual problems. It can be tank mixed with different residual herbicides to broaden its weed spectrum and extend its residual life. In general, rates for effective control of annual grasses and dicotyledonous weeds vary from 3-9 L/ha depending on crop species and the type of soil (from light sandy soil to heavy or high organic soils.)

MODE OF ACTIONRamrod controls annual weed seedlings at their germination stage and during their early development by inhibiting the root elongation and the protein synthesis. Its activation is enhanced by the soil moisture. Best results are obtained when a rain of 8 - 12 mm occurs within about one week after treatment.Maximum efficacy occurs when Ramrod is applied as a pre-emergent, in good soil moisture conditions or as a post emergence treatment with best results seen up to the one leaf stage of annual grasses.

Ramrod works as a protective barrier against germinating weeds. Product should not be physically incorporated as it will decrease efficacy.

CROP SELECTIVITYRamrod can be used in numerous crops including:

• Beetroot • Silverbeet

• Brassicas • Sorghum

• Leeks and garlic • Spinach

• Maize • Swedes

• Onions • Sweetcorn

• Radish • Turnips

SEEDBED PREPARATIONRamrod should be applied to a fine, clod-free seedbed just before emergence of weeds. Loose or puffy seedbeds must be consolidated before application.

Ramrod requires moisture in seedbeds and ridges after application to become activated.

RESIDUAL ACTIVITYOne of the most significant factors for reducing propachlor levels in soil and water is degradation by microorganisms. Both bacteria and fungi have been shown to be involved in breakdown of the compound.

Propachlor disappears rapidly from soil with a half-life of 4 - 10 days and with almost complete degradation within less than 6 weeks, depending on environmental conditions.

The environmental conditions that affect the rate of degradation are temperature and soil moisture. Propachlor will persist longer under dry conditions and low temperature. Adequate nutrient levels in the soil are also necessary for degradation.

Under normal use conditions, propachlor is not expected to leach through soil to ground water and will not persist in soil.

Ramrod’s half life is moisture and temperature dependent. The half life varies greatly under wet, warm conditions compared to dry cool conditions. The table below shows a summary of the half life of propachlor in both laboratory and field trials.

The effect of temperature can be clearly seen when comparing the results with 12% moisture.

HALF-LIFE FOR PROPACHLOR (DAYS)

TEMPERATURE (°C) 25°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 15°C 5°C

Moisture (%) 6 9 12 15 12 12

Propachlor (half life in days)

7.7 4.6 4.2 3.7 9.2 21.7

Source: Walker & Brown (1985)

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INTRODUCTION

CURRENT LABEL

CROP WEEDS CONTROLLED RATE CRITICAL COMMENTS

MaizeSorghumSweetcorn

Annual ryegrass, barnyard grass, blue and red pimpernel, sweetcorn chickweed, coarse and swamp club-rush, crowsfoot grass, deadnettle, fat-hen, fleabane, green and pale pigeon grass (foxtail grass in Tas), hairy centrolepis, liverseed grass, milkthistle, mouse-ear chickweed, Prince-of-Wales feather, cudweeds, shepherd’s purse, stinging nettle, summer grass, toad rush, winter grass, white clover, potato weed (yellow weed)

9L Apply as a surface spray immediately after seeding or transplanting in a volume of at least 200L water/ha.

Rainfall or overhead irrigation is required as soon as possible after application. Refer to ‘General Instructions’ for details.

For onions, treatment with other herbicides (post- emergence) will be required later in the crop to maintain weed control to harvest.

In Tas only, for broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and onions, apply 12-15L/ha. Use the lower rate on light to medium soils. Increase to the high rate on heavy textured soils.

DIRECT SEEDEDOnionsTRANSPLANTEDBroccoliBrussel SproutsCabbagesCauliflowerChinese cabbage*(*Not NSW)

12L

TRANSPLANTEDBroccoliCabbagesCauliflower

As above plus Wireweed, Bittercress, Pigweed, Prickly lettuce, Bladder ketmia

9L plus 2-2.5L Stomp· 330EC or Rifle® 330

Apply with Stomp 330EC or Rifle 330 prior to transplanting, as per the label. Ramrod may be tank mixed with Stomp 330EC or Rifle 330 or applied separately after transplanting (Not Tas).

Beetroot Potato weed (Yellow weed) 3-3.8L Use the lower rate on light to medium textured soils. Increase to the high rate on heavy textured soils.

Always refer to permits before use. All minor permits have an expiry date. Always check permit validity before use at apvma.gov.au

CURRENT PERMITS

PERMIT CROP WEEDS CONTROLLED RATE STATE COMMENTS

PER12008

Lettuce, spinach, silverbeet, rocket, specified brassica leafy vegetables, spring onions and shallots

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds as per product label

9-12 L/ha All states

Apply as a surface spray immediately after planting or transplanting in a volume of at least 200L water/ha. Rainfall or overhead irrigation is required as soon as possible after application. Apply by ground equipment only. Phytotoxicity Warning.

PER11441Radish (Raphanus sativus), Swede (Brassica napus) and Turnip (Brassica rapa)

Grass and broadleaf weeds

5.0 - 7.0 L/ha pre-

emergent/ post

transplant

All states

Use the lower rate on light to medium textured soils, increase to the high rate on heavy textured soils. Apply to the soil surface prior to weed or seeded crop emergence. Some moisture, either rain or sprinkler irrigation, is required soon after application to activate the product. Apply in at least 200L of water per hectare, with a pressure of about 200 kPa, using flat fan or floodjet nozzles and nozzle/Iine screens no finer than 50 mesh. Queensland experience has indicated that in sandy soil the proposed rates may give useful weed supression, but not total control.

PER13447 Canola seed crops onlyWeed control in non-herbicide tolerant canola seed crops

8 - 12 L/ha Tas. only

Apply products by ground rig boom spray application equipment. Use products containing 480g/L propachlor when canola is post plant pre emergence.

CURRENT LABEL AND PERMITS

WEED SPECTRUM

Ramrod is primarily a grass herbicide and is particularly effective on Setaria, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Poa annua and Lolium species. It also controls several broadleaf weeds and can be mixed with other herbicides to extend the weed spectrum.

Please see the susceptible weed table below.

WEED SUSCEPTIBILITY

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME WEED SUSCEPTIBILITY

ANNUAL GRASS – SUSCEPTIBLE

Annual ryegrass Lolium rigidum Susceptible

Barnyard grass Echinochloa crus-galli Susceptible

Crowsfoot grass Eleusine spp Susceptible

Green and pale pigeongrass (foxtail grass in Tas) Setaria viridis, Setaria glauca, Setaria erticillata Susceptible

Hairy centrolepis Centrolepis strigosa Susceptible

Liverseed grass Urochloa panicoides Susceptible

Summer grassDigitaria sanguinalis Susceptible

Digitaria filiformis Susceptible

Winter grass Poa annua Susceptible

SEDGE – MODERATELY SUSCEPTIBLE

Coarse and swamp club-rush Isolepis inundata (syn. Scirpus inundatus) Moderately Susceptible

PERENNIAL LEGUME

White clover Trifolium repens Moderately Susceptible

ANNUAL BROADLEAF WEEDS

Bittercress Coronopus didymis Moderately Susceptible

Bladder ketmia Hibiscus trionum Moderately Susceptible

Blue and red pimpernel Anagallis arvensis Moderately Susceptible

Chickweed Stellaria media Moderately Susceptible

Cudweeds Gamochaeta pensylvanica Moderately Susceptible

Deadnettle Lamium amplexicaule

Fat-hen Chenopodium album Moderately Susceptible

Fleabane Conyza spp Moderately Susceptible

Milkthistle Sonchus oleraceus Moderately Susceptible

Pigweed Portulaca oleracea Moderately Susceptible

Potato weed (yellow weed) Galinsoga parviflora Moderately Susceptible

Prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola Moderately Susceptible

Prince-of-Wales feather Amaranthus hypochondriacus Moderately Susceptible

Shepherd’s purse Capsella bursa pastoris Susceptible

Stinging nettle Urtica urens Moderately Susceptible

Wireweed Polygonum arviculare Moderately Susceptible

RUSH

Toad rush Juncus bufonius Moderately Susceptible

PERENNIAL BROADLEAF WEEDS

Mouse-ear chickweed Cerastium glomeratum Moderately Susceptible

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FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE

SOIL MOISTURERamrod requires moisture in the seedbed to become activated. In case of dry weather a light watering may be useful to obtain effective weed control. Heavy rain or high temperature will reduce the persistence of Ramrod.

SOIL TYPERamrod is stable and maintains activity in most soil types. On light, sandy soils 7 mm rainfall is required, heavy rainfall on open sandy soil reduces persistence. On heavy clay soil high in organic content, 7-18 mm rainfall is required for activation.

Best results are obtained when rainfall or irrigation occurs within 10 days of application. Generally less rainfall is required when soil moisture is high at the time of planting. Insufficient activation may allow grass seedlings to emerge, but they will normally be severely stunted and controlled by a cultivation.

CULTIVATIONHarrowing or rotary hoeing after application may displace Ramrod and reduce its effectiveness. If soil crusting becomes a problem and hoeing is necessary, hoe in the same direction as the rows are planted. With broadcast application there should be no need for cultivation in most soil types. With band application, delay cultivation until the weeds between rows are 7-10 cm high.

APPLICATION Apply to the soil surface prior to weed or crop emergence. Application should be made within a few days of the last tillage, otherwise germinating weeds will not be controlled. The soil surface should be fine, firm and free of clods and trash. Do not apply when winds are gusty or above 25 km/hour or in conditions that favour drift.

USE PRECAUTIONSDo not use under extremely wet or dry growing conditions as crop damage and reduced weed control may result.

Do not use on crops grown under glass or polyethylene as crop damage may result.

CROP INFORMATION

MAIZE, SORGHUM & SWEET CORNRamrod is very selective on these crops and is registered at the rate of 9 L/ha for use against various annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. Application should take place immediately after sowing and before weed emergence. In order to extend the weed spectrum on broadleaf weeds, Atradex (atrazine) can be mixed with Ramrod.

Ramrod can also be tank mixed with Linuron® (linuron) for a pre-emergence application to sweet corn and maize to extend residual activity and broaden the weed spectrum.

Always refer to the label.

SPINACH, SILVERBEET AND RADISHRamrod may be safely applied on spinach, silverbeet and radish under a APVMA minor use permit.

Ramrod should be applied as a surface spray immediately after sowing or transplanting and prior to weed or seeded-crop emergence.

Ramrod should be applied to radish at 5 to 7 L/ha as a pre-emergent/post transplant spray. Ramrod can be tank mixed with Dacthal 900WG to broaden the weed spectrum and extend residual life of the treatment.

Silverbeet and spinach should be treated with 12 L/ha immediately after sowing or transplanting.

ONION, GARLIC & LEEKSRamrod may be applied immediately after seeding or transplanting. The spray should be applied from drilling to late pre-weed emergence, (particularly on early sown crops where the weeds may not emerge for some weeks after drilling).

Application to onions, garlic and leeks may be made 7 to 10 days after transplanting.

Ramrod should be applied at a rate of 12 L/ha for onions and leeks and 12 to 15 L/ha for garlic.

A tank mixture of Ramrod with Dacthal 900WG can also be used to broaden the weed spectrum and extend residual control.

Always refer to the label.

8

CROP INFORMATION

BRASSICA CROPSMany brassica crops can be treated with Ramrod and the following are registered in Australia: broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, white and red cabbage, savoy cabbage, chinese cabbage, turnip and swede.

Ramrod may be used on both drilled and transplanted brassica crops.

In drilled crops, Ramrod may be sprayed post sowing before weed emergence.

In transplanted crops, Ramrod may be applied any time after transplanting but before weed emergence. In the case of transplanted young plants which have been grown under glass, these have to be hardened off before treatment. Rates to be used in brassica crops vary from 9 to 12 L/ha.

In Tasmania, for broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and onions, Ramrod can be applied at a rate of 12 to 15 L/ha. Use the low rate on light to medium soils, and the higher rate on heavy soils.

Ramrod can be mixed with Romper 440 or Dacthal 900WG to control a range of weeds. Using Romper 440 in combination with Ramrod in cabbages, cauliflower and broccoli will improve control of wireweed, bittercress, pigweed, prickly lettuce and bladder ketmia. Both products can be applied prior to planting but only Ramrod can be applied over transplants.

FORMULATION & PACKAGING

TRADE NAME: Ramrod Flowable Herbicide

PACK SIZE: 10L

FORMULATION: Suspension Concentrate (SC)

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: 480 g/L propachlor

CHEMICAL NAME: 2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide

CHEMICAL FAMILY: Acetanilide

MOLECULAR FORMULATION: C11H14ClNO

STRUCTURAL FORMULA

N

O

H3C

CH3

Cl

1010

FORM LIQUID

Appearance White suspension

Odour Odourless

Stability in water Disperses in water

Specific gravity 1.11

pH value ~6.4

Poison schedule S6 Poison

FORMULATION & PACKAGING

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF PROPACHLOR

PARAMETER ANIMAL/SPECIES RESULT

Acute Oral LD50 Rat >1191 mg/kg

Acute Dermal LD50 Rat >5000 mg/kg

Acute LC50 Rainbow trout 0.42 ml/L

Acute LC50 Bluegill sunfish 1.6 mg/L

Acute LD50 Bobwhite quail 91 mg/kg

Acute LD50 Honey bees 311 µg/bee not toxic to bees

ENVIRONMENT AND TOXICOLOGY PROFILE OF PROPACHLOR

EFFECT ON ORGANISMS IN THE ENVIRONMENTPropachlor is not toxic to earthworms at exposure concentrations expected from normal use. The NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) is 100 mg/kg soil.

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This publication is a guide only and no substitute for professional or expert advice. The product label should be consulted before use of any of the products referred to in this publication. Crop Care Australasia Pty Ltd shall not be liable for any results, loss or damage whatsoever, whether consequential or otherwise through the use or application of products and/or materials referred to herein. Always read the label prior to use.

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For further information, contact your local Crop Care Territory Sales Manager or Crop Care customer service on: 1800 111 454 www.cropcare.com.au