Wind can reduce the effectiveness of herbicides in sugarcane

During dry periods, weed control in sugarcane heavily depends on the application of pre-emergent herbicides. According to José Roberto Scaramuzza, Technical Sales Representative, strong winds can displace the treated straw to unwanted areas, compromising the product's action and reducing its effectiveness. The success of weed management depends on two main factors. The first is the translocation of the straw to the soil: studies indicate that rainfall between 20 and 30 mm is sufficient to transport more than 80% of the herbicide, ensuring its performance. The second is the persistence of the product in the straw without rainfall: prolonged exposure to the sun causes losses due to thermodegradation, volatilization, and photodegradation, which are more intense in the straw than in the soil, especially in molecules with high vapor pressure. Failures in weed control are often attributed to drift, incorrect dosage, water pH, or suspended organic matter. However, Scaramuzza warns, the ...