Reversal of Cation-Induced Reduction in Glyphosate Activity by EDTA

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] phytotoxicity to greenhouse-grown wheat (Triticum aestivumL. ‘Centurk’) was greatly reduced by Ca2+in the carrier solution. Addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) restored glyphosate phytotoxicity in hard water and increased phytotoxicity in deionized water. The phytotoxicity of 0.1 kg ae/ha glyphosate plus 1.0% (w/v) EDTA was equal to that observed for 0.2 kg/ha of the herbicide alone in deionized water or 0.4 kg/ha in water containing 200 ppm Ca2+. EDTA was more compatible with glyphosate in combination with X-77 or MON-0011 nonionic surfactant than with cationic surfactant (contained in a commercial formulation). Phytotoxicity could be increased by adding EDTA and nonionic surfactant to the latter formulation. EDTA increased glyphosate phytotoxicity to wheat when applied in water that contained high levels of calcium and bicarbonate. Glyphosate activity was greater at pH 4 than at pH 6 or 10, but EDTA was equally effective at pH 4, 6, or 10 for all levels of calcium tested up to 800 ppm. NaHCO3probably reduced phytotoxicity by increasing the pH of the glyphosate solution.