PLANT DAMAGE WARNING

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31231, 1 December 1966, Page 22

PLANT DAMAGE WARNING

Use Of Hormone Weed Killers

“Reports of damage from hormone weedkillers to both private and market gardens are common about this time of the year,” said Mr P. TV. Smallfield, chairman of the Agricultural Chemicals Board, in Wellington recently. “Large quantities of 2,4-D, MCPA and 2,4,5-T are used to control spring growth of weeds. “All users of these hormone weedkillers should remember that drift of even traces of these materials may cause extensive damage to susceptible plants,” said Mr Smallfield. “Plants which are particularly vulnerable include grapevines, tomatoes. Chinese gooseberries, tree tomatoes (tamarillo) and many ornamentals. If a wind is blowing toward susceptible plants from where it is intended to spray, the work should be postponed. The use of these chemicals in the vicinity of vineyards is restricted by regulations. “High pressures and small nozzle openings should be avoided when spraying with hormone weedkillers. Small droplets and ‘fogging’ may result when these precautions are not taken, and these increase the hazard from wind drifts. Dusts of 2,4-D and MCPA should not be used in areas where there is a diversity of crops. Many other chemicals, such as dicamba, TBA and picloram may cause severe damage to valuable plants if not used carefully,” concluded Mr Smallfield.