Enlist Weed Control System Aimed at Full-Scale Debut in 2016

02 Jun Enlist Weed Control System Aimed at Full-Scale Debut in 2016

Reference: http://www.agriculture.com/crops/pesticides/herbicides/enlist-weed-control-system-aimed-at_179-ar49444

Farmers will likely have another weed management tool next year with Dow AgroSciences’s Enlist Weed Control System.
“We are waiting for (full) regulatory approval, but we are ready to go,” says Ben Kaehler, U.S. sales leader for Dow AgroSciences. This year, Dow had a stewarded introduction of Enlist corn and seed production of Enlist soybeans. Regulatory approval is pending for Enlist cotton.

This week, Dow AgroSciences hosted members of the agricultural media at its headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, to discuss Enlist and other new developments.

The Enlist system features herbicide tolerance for corn, soybeans, and cotton to a new 2,4-D formulation called 2,4-D choline. The system’s herbicide is called Enlist Duo, and also contains glyphosate. Enlist Duo. Also in the works are Enlist E3 soybeans, which confer tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate and glufosinate.

Dow officials say the 2,4-D choline in the Colex-D technology–when combined with low-drift nozzles–can cut drift as much as 90% compared to current formulations like 2,4-D ester and 2,4-D amine.

“Where you put it, it stays put,” says John Chase, U.S. marketing lead for Dow AgroSciences’s Enlist Duo herbicide.
Enlist Duo is the only 2,4-D formulation that can be used in the Enlist Weed Control System. Other forms of 2,4-D are considered off-label and will not be backed by Dow.

Plans are for a broad licensing approach with a number of seed companies, says Chase.
Also crucial in curtailing off-target movement is the use of low-drift nozzles, says David Hilger, Enlist field specialist. Nozzle selection is keyed by both efficacy and low-drift potential, he notes.
So far, 23 nozzles have been recommended for use with Enlist, with most being air induction nozzles, he says.
Other steps Dow is taking to minimize drift include avoiding spraying when wind is blowing toward sensitive crops, such as vineyards and tomatoes.

Besides controlling glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth, waterhemp and giant ragweed, it also gives farmers a burndown option with no planting restrictions. With current 2,4-D formulations, at least 7 days must pass before farmers can plant soybeans. On Enlist Soybeans, Enlist Duo can be applied and planting may proceed with no waiting period. Crucial to success of the system is a residual preemergence herbicide to get the crop off to a clean start, say Dow officials.