Apr 15, 2015

Section 24 (c) label available for Michigan hop growers

According to Michigan State University Extension, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced fall 2014 that it had granted a FIFRA Section 24 (c) Special Local Need Label for the use of Aim EC Herbicide in Michigan hopyards. This label is valid until Sept. 17, 2019 or until otherwise amended, withdrawn, canceled or suspended.

The FIFRA Section 24 (c) label and the federal EPA-registered label, typically included at delivery, for this product must be in the possession of the user at the time of pesticide application. Follow all applicable directions, restrictions and precautions on this supplemental label and the federal EPA-registered label. It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.

The manufacturer recommends growers apply Aim EC using shielded sprayers or hooded sprayers to control emerged and actively growing broadleaf weeds within or between the rows of the crop. Aim EC has activity against lambsquarters, nightshade, morning glories, nettle, bindweed and a number of additional weeds that may be present in Michigan hopyards. Aim EC works best when applied to weeds smaller than 4 inches in height.

Aim EC is most commonly utilized to burn back the first flush of hop suckers and weeds in the spring and later in the season to control broad leaf weeds in the row and burn back basal leaves and suckers. Research in the Pacific Northwest has shown these later applications aid in air circulation and the removal of inoculum of the powdery and downy mildew pathogens. Applications made during the first flush of basal spikes will kill back all hop material contacted; all sprayed growing points will die back. Sprays made after training should only be made after the growing points of the hop are well outside the spray zone (at least 6 feet in height). On most varieties, contacted stem tissue may brown, but plant development is unaffected. Chlorotic and necrotic spotting will be observed on leaves and stems if the herbicide drifts.

Aim EC should be applied at the rate of 2.0 ounces per acre in a minimum of 20 gallons of spray solution using a boom-type applicator. Spray should be directed to the basal portion of the hop plant, approximately the lower 1.5 feet, and to the sucker mat which extends from the base of the plant to approximately 1.5 to 2 feet into the row. An alternate row treatment program may be followed to avoid the removal of excessive photosynthetic capacity from the crown area. When treating alternating rows on different days, the equivalent maximum rate must not exceed 3.2 ounces of Aim EC per application per treated row area totaling 0.5 acres.

Do not let spray contact green portions of plant because injury may result. Avoid spray or drift outside the area. Do not apply more than 7.6 ounces per acre per season. Allow 14 days between treatments and do not apply within seven days of harvest.

Michigan State University Extension encourages growers to do a small test application on each variety to help limit plant damage in the case of sensitive varieties. To protect yourself, others and the environment, always read the label before applying any pesticide. Although efforts have been made to check the accuracy of information presented, it is the responsibility of the person using this information to verify that it is correct by reading the corresponding pesticide label in its entirety before using the product. Labels can and do change. Greenbook.net, CDMS.com and agrian.com are free online databases for looking up label and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) information.