Sorrento reliability, it’s a sure hit
Left unchecked, weeds can soon outcompete a crop during its early growth stages, or opt for smarter weed control with adjuvant Sorrento.
Post-emergence herbicides are for many growers, the final step in an integrated weed management strategy to optimise crop establishment and reduce the weed burden in the next crop, so it’s important to ensure its as effective as possible. Weather, herbicide resistant weeds, herbicide chemical properties and suboptimal conditions can all contribute to poor weed control. About to enter its third season on farm, adjuvant Sorrento has been adding significant benefits in cereals and maize crops, particularly against some tough to control grasses & broad-leaf weeds under suboptimal conditions.
Download our Sorrento guide here or keeping reading
Weed control obstacles post-emergence
Keeping crops free from early weed competition is crucial to protect yield in the first month or so after emergence, and particularly in sensitive crops such as maize. However, the effectiveness of post-emergence herbicides is influenced by a range of plant, chemical and environmental factors that can reduce herbicide performance.
Weeds can be challenging targets for coverage
As the crop increases in size, the delivery of post-emergence herbicides to target weeds becomes more difficult. Weeds can become shaded and herbicide intercepted by the crop, leading to poor coverage and poor control as a result.
By their very nature, contact post-emergence herbicides must be in complete contact with the weeds they need to kill. As weeds get larger the surface area of the weed also becomes greater and coverage across the whole weed becomes vital to prevent re-growth. Once the herbicide droplets land on the leaf, spreading and retention is therefore critical for effective distribution across leaf surfaces as they do not move within plants.
However, water (95% of the spray solution) beads on waxy surfaces and is prevented from spreading out due to the high surface tension between water and the waxy surface. This is a problem as all weeds have waxy surfaces, with certain spring germinators being particularly problematic – Fat-hen for example.
Poor coverage is even more problematic on hairy leaves which can suspend spray droplets above the leaf surface preventing contact.
Thick, waxy cuticles slow uptake
Post-emergence herbicides need to penetrate the leaf cuticle and living tissue inside weeds to be able to control them. The cuticle is on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf and is the biggest barrier to crop protection active ingredients. However, as weeds increase in growth stage, cuticles become thicker, and become tougher to penetrate, particularly in dry conditions. Weeds which are particularly waxy such as brassicas and fat-hen, can be very challenging for herbicide active ingredients.
Active ingredient properties influence uptake
The ability of an active ingredient to penetrate the leaf cuticle and plant tissue inside is determined by its chemical properties. Active ingredients with low water solubility are able to penetrate leaf cuticles by simple diffusion through the waxy components, which make up the most part of the cuticle – though this can be slowed in cold/dry conditions. However, mobility through the cuticle for active ingredients with moderate to high water solubility (many herbicides) is much less, resulting in less active being absorbed. Actives with moderate to high water solubility need a suitable adjuvant to penetrate the waxy cuticle in order to increase the flow of active ingredient into the leaf. This is highly relevant for the control of difficult weeds and in suboptimal conditions.
Smarter weed control with adjuvant Sorrento
Sorrento is a unique low dose activator adjuvant that helps overcome herbicide performance barriers, leading to more reliable and effective weed control by optimising contact and penetration into weeds.
Maximising coverage helps ensure against weeds
Sorrento reduces surface tension between the spray solution and the weed surface, enabling post emergence herbicide sprays to spread out and be retained. This optimises the coverage and contact between partner active ingredients and the weed surface for more reliable control.
Optimising mobility into the leaf helps power activity
Sorrento helps herbicide active ingredients with moderate – high water solubility penetrate leaf cuticles. This increases the speed and mobility of the herbicide into the leaf for faster and more effective weed control.
Sorrento’s reliability and performance in trials
Replicated field trials have shown that Sorrento can add significant weed control benefits against hard to control weeds, even in ideal application conditions. In dry conditions, the benefits to overall weed control will be even more beneficial.
Download our Sorrento guide here for trials results in cereals and maize
Reliable weed control benefits
% Weed control benefit from addition of Sorrento to a range of herbicides
Consistent weed control benefits in trials
For more information
For more information on weed control control challenges, Sorrento benefits and how to use, downloaded our latest product guide here.
Sorrento is available to purchase through Agrii