Optimizing diquat efficacy with the use of adjuvants

Optimizing diquat efficacy with the use of adjuvants may broaden the spectrum of weed control, but relevant research towards this direction is limited. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of diquat applied alone and with six commercial adjuvants (surfactants and oil-based adjuvants) on various weed species. Diquat effect was evaluated in two field experiments on natural populations of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare L.) and burning nettle (Urtica urens L.) along with two greenhouse trials on rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum L.). In field or greenhouse experiments, all the adjuvants significantly increased the control of C. album, P. aviculare, and L. rigidum, from 48, 42 and 7%, up to 82, 74 and 67%, respectively, in terms of fresh weight reduction, but to a different extent for each adjuvant. U. urens was totally (100%) controlled in terms of visual estimation either with diquat or with diquat plus any adjuvant. The differences in the effect of diquat applied with adjuvants mainly depended on the weed species examined and they were not proportional to the surface tension reduction of the spray solution caused by the adjuvants. Overall, the surfactants and the oil-based adjuvants examined in this study considerably enhanced the effect of diquat; this can broaden the spectrum of weed control against broadleaf and grass weeds in orchards and non-crop areas. The results are discussed in relation with the classification of the adjuvants.