Novel Herbicide Formulations for Conservation-Tillage
Authors: Gerstl Zev , Potter Thomas L. , Bosch David , Strickland Timothy , Truman Clint , Webster Theodore , Assouline Shmuel , Rubin Baruch , Nir Shlomo , Mishael Yael 
Published: December 2021

The overall objective of this study was to develop, optimize and evaluate novel formulations, which reduce herbicide leaching and enhance agronomic efficacy. Numerous studies have demonstrated that CsT promotes environmental quality and enhances sustainable crop production, yet continued use of CsT-practices appears threatened unless cost effective alternative weed control practices can be found. The problem is pressing in the southern portion of the Atlantic Coastal Plain region of the eastern USA where cotton and peanut are produced extensively. This research addressed needs of the region’s farmers for more effective weed control practices for CsT systems. HUJI: CRFs for sulfentrazone and metolachlor were developed and tested based on their solubilizion in cationic micelles and adsorption of the mixed micelles on montmorillonite. A better understanding of solubilizing anionic and nonionic organic molecules in cationic micelles was reached. Both CRFs demonstrated controlled release compared to the commercial formulations. A bioassay in soil columns determined that the new sulfentrazone and metolachlor CRFs significantly improve weed control and reduced leaching (for the latter) in comparison with the commercial formulations. ARO: Two types of CRFs were developed: polymer-clay beads and powdered formulations. Sand filter experiments were conducted to determine the release of the herbicide from the CRFs. The concentration of metolachlor in the initial fractions of the effluent from the commercial formulation reached rather high values, whereas from the alginate-clay formulations and some of the powdered formulations, metolachlor concentrations were low and fairly constant. The movement of metolachlor through a sandy soil from commercial and alginate-clay formulations showed that the CRFs developed significantly reduced the leaching of metolachlor in comparison to the commercial formulation. Mini-flume and simulated rainfall studies indicated that all the CRFs tested increased runoff losses and decreased the amount of metolachlor found in the leachate. ARS: Field and laboratory investigations were conducted on the environmental fate and weed control efficacy of a commercially available, and two CRFs (organo-clay and alginate-encapsulated) of the soil-residual herbicide metolachlor. The environmental fate characteristics and weed control efficacy of these products were compared in rainfall simulations, soil dissipations, greenhouse efficacy trials, and a leaching study. Comparisons were made on the basis of tillage, CsT, and conventional, i.e no surface crop residue at planting (CT). Strip-tillage (ST), a commonly used form of CsT, was practiced. The organo-clay and commercial metolachlor formulations behaved similarly in terms of wash off, runoff, soil dissipation and weed control efficacy. No advantage of the organo-clay over the commercial metolachlor was observed. Alginate encapsulated metolachlor was more promising. The dissipation rate for metolachlor when applied in the alginate formulation was 10 times slower than when the commercial product was used inferring that its use may enhance weed management in cotton and peanut fields in the region. In addition, comparison of alginate and commercial formulations showed that ST can effectively reduce the runoff threat that is commonly associated with granular herbicide application. Studies also showed that use of the alginate CRF has the potential to reduce metolachlor leaching. Overall study findings have indicated that use of granular herbicide formulations may have substantial benefit for ST-system weed management for cotton and peanut production under Atlantic Coastal Plain conditions in the southeastern USA. Commercial development and evaluation at the farm scale appears warranted. Products will likely enhance and maintain CsT use in this and other regions by improving weed control options.