Triple Rinse to Avoid Damage
Just 0.000488 lb. of dicamba per acre can lead to a 10% yield loss in sensitive soybeans—and a half-pound rate can drop yields 97%, according the University of Arkansas. If 2,4-D hits sensitive cotton 30 days after planting, 0.025 lb. of active ingredient per acre can cause up to 100% yield loss, according to Oklahoma State University. Cleanout is essential. Dicamba manufacturers provide guidelines:- Immediately drain the sprayer after use—don’t allow the chemical to sit overnight prior to flushing.
- Flush tank, hoses, boom and nozzles with clean water. Open boom ends while flushing.
- Inspect and clean strainers, screens and filters.
- Mix a cleaning solution with detergent or sprayer cleaner.
- Wash all parts of tank, agitate sprayer and recirculate cleaning solution for at least 15 minutes and remove visible deposits.
- Flush hoses, spray lines and nozzles with cleaning solution for at least one minute.
- Drain pump, filter and lines (Engenia label); repeat the above six steps two more times (XtendiMax and FeXapan labels).
- Rinse complete spraying system with clean water (Engenia label); after completing above procedures remove nozzles, screens and strainers and clean separately in cleaning solution (XtendiMax and FeXapan labels).
- Clean and rinse exterior of sprayer (Engenia label); dispose of rinsate as specified by laws (XtendiMax and FeXapan labels).
- Dispose of all rinsate in compliance with requirements (Engenia labels); drain sump, filter and lines (XtendiMax and FeXapan labels).
- Rinse the complete spraying system with clean water
- (XtendiMax and FeXapan labels).