Effect of Spray Components on Glyphosate Toxicity to Annual Grasses

Field and greenhouse research was conducted during 1980 and 1981 to evaluate the effects of carrier volume, surfactant concentration, and treatment date on glyphosate [N- (phosphonomethyl)glycine] toxicity to annual-grass weeds and volunteer small grains. Glyphosate phytotoxicity increased as carrier volume was decreased from 190 to 24 L/ha. The presence of a surfactant in the spray solution did not influence grass control when glyphosate was applied in a carrier volume of 24 L/ha. When glyphosate was applied in 48 or 95 L/ha, the presence of surfactant resulted in better grass control than glyphosate without surfactant. When applied in 190 L/ha, glyphosate with 0.5% (v/v) surfactant gave better grass control than glyphosate alone or commercially formulated glyphosate. When glyphosate was applied to plants under water stress, little control was achieved regardless of plant growth stage. Glyphosate application to grass after head initiation also resulted in reduced control. Maximum weed control with glyphosate was attained when applications were made to seedlings growing actively because of adequate soil moisture and favorable temperatures.