Nutrient technology enables glyphosate tank mix

Glyphosate is now so widely used on so many crops that the focus of research has become how to help growers get even more benefit and performance from it. A recent advance in nutrient formulation technology is producing more plant weight and yield in glyphosate-tolerant crops by averting the herbicide's chelating activity.

University research has shown glyphosate molecularly combines with metals (chelation) such as zinc and manganese, locking them up so they lose mobility and efficacy when applied to the crop. Zinc is the cornerstone for leaf, root and vascular system development while manganese is a key player in photosynthesis, nitrogen assimilation and other essential bio-chemical reactions within the plant. To effectively provide these nutrients to glyphosate-tolerant crops, growers have had to wait eight or more days for the residual glyphosate in crop tissue to move out through root exudates, and then make another pass across the field with the nutrients.

In the new System-Ready formulation, zinc and manganese are linked to phosphite ions that resist glyphosate chelation, enabling rapid nutrient absorption and mobility within the crop plant. This makes the nutrients available during peak demand, increases the flush of new roots, and accelerates maturation to produce better yield. Also, the phosphite formulations are not antagonistic to glyphosate, which typically loses some weed control activity when chelation has occurred in a tank mix with nutrients.

The System-ReadyâÑ¢ phosphite ions give the zinc and manganese systemic movement through the plant and down into the roots to keep the plant physiology at optimal level. System-Ready is not a fungicide, but metals such as zinc and manganese are essential for plant defenses to suppress disease activity. Phosphite, which is more readily absorbed into plant tissues than phosphate, becomes the carrier for the nutrients when used in foliar sprays.

"System-Ready formulation technology finally allows growers, consultants, and ag retailers to beneficially add zinc and manganese to glyphosate without diminished activity by any of the compounds," said Chapman Mayo, president of Minneapolis-based Agro-K Corporation, which developed the phosphite-linked nutrient system. "A one-pass nutrient plus glyphosate application also helps growers avoid unnecessary costs for energy, wear and tear on equipment, delays due to adverse weather, and soil compaction."

The System-Ready technology also is available in calcium, magnesium, and potassium formulations. Each is compatible with the other.

For more information, call 816-407-9194.