Water hardness is associated with increased levels of solubilized minerals contained in spray water. Calcium, magnesium, and iron are each considered “hard water” minerals that can have negative impact on spray performance. These minerals impact performance by interacting with crop protection products, antagonizing the ability of the pesticide to perform. Opposites Attract - Glyphosate is antagonized by hard water minerals when cationic (positively charged) calcium, magnesium, and iron minerals in hard water seek out and attract anionic (negatively charged) glyphosate herbicide mixed into spray solution.
This antagonistic connection is made immediately when glyphosate herbicide is mixed into “hard water” spray solution, rendering the resulting spray mixture less effective.
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