Major grasshopper outbreaks often coincide with warm dry spring weather. However, sucking insects, such as aphids, generally have a harder time feeding on plants under moisture stress. Additional monitoring may be required for crops subject to mite infestations. With mites multiplying more frequently and weaker plants, it may be necessary to spray more often. Weeds compete with crops and landscape plants for moisture and nutrients even in years of normal rainfall.
Many weeds can tap into water deep in the soil.
Weeds also respond to drought stress by increasing cuticle thickness, reducing vegetative growth and rapidly flowering. Under drought conditions, managing weeds after they appear may be difficult, and could require using the higher end of the labeled application rate. When the pesticide label approves the use of nitrogen fertilizer as a spray additive, it may lessen plant stress and improve herbicide activity. During dry, hot conditions some herbicides perform better with the use of a crop oil surfactant instead of a non-ionic surfactant. Provided as a service to the Subscribers of the DRR .