Clethodim is an important herbicide in the control of annual ryegrass in canola in southern Australian cropping systems. But are all clethodim formulations equal?
Clethodim is an important herbicide in the control of annual ryegrass in canola in southern Australian cropping systems. But are all clethodim formulations equal?
Select Xtra (clethodim 360 g/L) is a new generation of clethodim with a worldwide patented formulation.
While best known as the high load version of one of Australia’s most widely recognised grass herbicides, it is Select Xtra’s unique formulation that sets it apart from other clethodim products in the market.
Ian Cass, UPL Australia marketing manager, said that the patented formulation delivers a better spraying quality, an improved stabilisation over time and a high level of performance against grasses.
“Select Xtra sets a new formulation standard for clethodim,” he said, “and to understand what sets it apart you need to look at the components of the herbicide.”
“Clethodim is a specific graminacide and hardly miscible with water, so to improve the quality of the emulsion, there’s a need to add surfactants,” Mr Cass said. “Our formulation contains proportionally more surfactants that improve spraying quality, which in turn gives an improved clethodim performance.”
Clethodim molecules have a weak bond and are sensitive to surfactant exposure, which can damage the clethodim molecule over time.
To counter these effects and retain the surfactant interest, UPL formulation specialists have added epoxidised vegetal oil which contains strong reactive epoxide bonds. This means that surfactants will preferably attack these bonds instead of the clethodim molecules.
“The vegetal oil therefore acts as a protection barrier for clethodim, stabilising it over time for better longevity,” Mr Cass said.
“Select Xtra has proven itself in the market as a performer,” he said. “It’s reliability stems from these unique components that improve the spraying quality and maintain product integrity over time.”
He added that aside from the formulation quality, Select Xtra provides a cost benefit from using a high load product and is also user friendly.
“It’s a convenient herbicide for farmers to use, being rainfast within an hour of application and with a nil plant back period,” he said. “Farmers also benefit from handling less product on farm and during application.”
Select Xtra is compatible with a number of grass herbicides, and with LeMat insecticide, for a wider spectrum of control. The herbicide also has a broad window of application and safety on a large range of broadleaf crops.
“Growers looking for maximum performance from a clethodim application this winter can look to Select Xtra to deliver against grass weeds,” Mr Cass said.
“Select Xtra sets a new standard in clethodim formulations, showing that when it comes to selecting clethodim, not all formulations are equal.”
