Magister Command 480 ECPlant Protection Product ComparisonPlant Protection Product ComparisonReport inaccuraciesReport inaccuracies

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide is a short residual, water-applied herbicide for the control of certain grass weeds in direct seeded rice crops. Plant uptake of Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide occurs through both the roots and the foliage. The movement of the active constituent clomazone within the plant occurs upward and outwards to the leaf. Clomazone is not downward systemic, nor translocated from leaf to leaf.

SYMPTOMS

Clomazone, the active constituent Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide, inhibits the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments of both chlorophyll and carotenoids. Accordingly, the foliage of susceptible plants show signs of chlorosis (whitening or bleaching), followed by necrosis (browning). In some situations, one or more of the following conditions such as; higher use rates, sandy soils, soils of low organic matter, or soils of low pH, may cause an increase in the activity of Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide and crop damage may occur. DO NOT apply Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide on to soils with both organic carbon content less than 2% and clay content less than 15%, excluding poppy and tobacco crops, which have a higher crop tolerance to clomazone at label rates. Some crop varieties may show differing levels of tolerance to Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide. It is recommended to test on a small area to ensure tolerance is acceptable before adoption on a wider scale. For more specific information consult with your local dealer.

COMPATIBILITY

Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide may be tank mixed with other post plant pre-emergent herbicides to broaden the weed control spectrum compared to products applied alone. Lower rates of Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide may be used when tank mixing.

POPPIES

Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide is compatible with Asulox*, Brodal* and Frontier*. Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide is not compatible with Tramat* and efficacy can be reduced in tank mixes using Starane*. Other herbicide combinations should be used with caution and in accordance to advice from contracting Company’s Advisory Officers.

OTHER CROPS

When tank mixing with other herbicides (e.g., Frontier*) refer to both product labels to ensure use patterns are compatible i.e. post plant pre-emergence and observe all application precautions, rotational guidelines and replanting instructions of each product label.

MIXING

Add half the required volume of water in spray tank and start agitation. If tank mixing with wettable powders or Water Dispersible Granules add these first, Liquid Suspensions (i.e. Flowables) are added next, and Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide is added last. Maintain good agitation at all times until spraying is completed.

APPLICATION

Inappropriate application techniques can result in highly visible symptoms of spray drift. Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide can be applied as a broadcast or banded application. Use conventional sprayers with either mechanical or bypass agitation. Apply using flat fan nozzles producing medium to coarse droplets. Spray equipment should be properly calibrated to ensure correct application. To minimize off-target movement use the lowest pressure and boom height which provides uniform coverage, using 150 to 400 liters per hectare. DO NOT apply to very wet soils or to soils with a rough surface.

Band spray rate

The rate of Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide for band spraying per hectare of crop is calculated from the broad area rates as follows:

Band width (cm) X Broadcast Rate (L) Row spacing (cm) = Band Rate (L) per hectare of crop for band spraying

OFF TARGET WHITENING

Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide can cause whitening of sensitive plants (i.e. some species of trees, shrubs, flowers, agronomic crops and fruit and vegetables) by either spray drift or volatilization. The application and recommendation for the use of this product should be undertaken only by persons adhering to the following requirements:

Precautions to be taken to minimize potential off-target effects:

• DO NOT spray within 100 meters of residential or industrial properties or homes on neighboring properties,

• Where it is proposed to spray within 100 meters of a neighboring property which is used for primary production, the owner of the property must be given written notice of the intention to spray and information which includes the name of the product being sprayed and its effects on susceptible plant species,

• Ensure that when the product is being diluted prior to application that it is done away from desirable plants,

• DO NOT empty or clean sprayers near homes and sensitive plants,

• DO NOT apply by aircraft, or through irrigation equipment, and

• Remove contaminated clothing before entering areas where sensitive plants exist e.g. homes, nurseries, greenhouses, and other crops.

Application equipment/calibration:

• Use coarse nozzles with pressure not exceeding 35 PSI/250 kPa (2.5 bar) with boom height no greater than 60 cm above the target, and

• Apply only with calibrated equipment.

Minimization of product volatilization:

• Apply to dry soils in 150-400L water per hectare,

• DO NOT apply to wet soils and or wet plants,

• DO NOT spray poppy crops beyond the 8 leaf stage,

• DO NOT apply in wind gusts over 12km/hr or when weather conditions favor the formation of inversion layers,

• Weather resulting in warm, high moisture soils increase the volatility potential of Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide. Sunlight may also heat the soil surface, evaporating soil moisture and causing an inversion effect. This inversion effect causes the product to move to the soil surface where it is more subject to volatilization, and

• DO NOT apply in fog or in conditions conducive to fog.

APPLICATION

Inappropriate application techniques can result in highly visible symptoms of spray drift.

Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide can be applied:

• Prior to permanent water by ground boom spray only, and

• To permanent water by drip applicator at inundation of the permanent flood water, or by SCWIIRT application direct to the water surface of permanently flooded bays, via a properly equipped and calibrated ground sprayer, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft fitted with a Bickley boom. Refer to the following relevant sections for more detailed information.

Application prior to permanent water:

Always apply Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide with either Shirquat* or with Stam* as per the Critical Comments. Apply as a broadcast spray using flat fan nozzles producing medium to coarse droplets with pressure not exceeding 250 kPa and with boom height no greater than 60 cm above the target. To minimize off-target movement use the lowest pressure and boom height that provides uniform coverage using 100 – 150 liters per hectare. DO NOT apply to wet soils or wet plants. DO NOT spray within 100 meters of residential or industrial properties or homes on neighboring properties.

Application at inundation:

For drip treatment, dilute Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide at the ratio of 3 liters to 17 liters of clean tap water and apply this solution at a rate of 4 L/ha. A constant head siphon with a single CP4916 TeeJet flow regulator fitted with a disk orifice plate is recommended to apply the drip treatment into the floodwater at inundation. Refer to a Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide calibration chart to guide selection of the appropriate orifice plate.

The preferred method of inundation is to drip into individual bays or by a backfill system utilizing a side channel, rather than top filling or flooding through the upper bays.

Application into permanent water – primer treatment in a split application:

It is essential that both the 1st and 2nd applications are applied. The 1st (pre-sowing) application suppresses weed germinations allowing the rice to develop to the secondary root stage at which time the 2nd (post-sowing) application is required for the control of emerging weeds, completing the herbicide program. If one application is applied without the other the technique will result in unsatisfactory weed control. For the 1st application follow the application directions in the section Application into permanent water – single application.

Application into permanent water – single application:

Apply by the SCWIIRT method using a tractor, 4-wheel agricultural motorbike, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft fitted with a Bickley boom. Apply to flood water from pre-sowing, up to the 2 leaf rice stage. Because of the solubility of clomazone and redistribution in water, Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide does not need to be applied right to the edges of the bay.

Ground/helicopter application:

Dilute the required amount of Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide in water (5 to 10 liters/ha) and apply to flooded bay at a distance of 20 to 30 meters between runs. Position dripper nozzles no more than 50 cm from the water surface and maintain pressure at or below 200 kPa (30 PSI or 2 bar).

Fixed-wing (Bickley boom) application:

Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide must only be applied from a fixed-wing aircraft fitted with a Bickley boom which comprises the following:

Two nozzles mounted on droppers, one either side with droppers positioned just outside the first boom hanger (28 – 35% of wingspan); Dropper length approximately 40-60 cm or lower below the trailing edge of the wing; Solid stream nozzles with bore sufficient to apply desired volume at a pressure of 240 to 310 kPa (35 to 45 psi); Nozzles orientated rearwards and parallel to the airstream; Check valves (Spraying Systems diaphragm type 12328, ¾ inch) located behind nozzle to eliminate “trailing” after shut off; Spray at a maximum wheel height of 2m above the field surface. Swath widths of approximately 25 m are recommended.

Dilute the required amount of Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide in water (10 to 20 Liters/ha) spray solution and apply to flooded bay. Before commencing aerial application to contoured bays evaluate the layout of the bays to be treated and select the optimum flight pattern to ensure all bays receive the recommended rate of Magister Command 480 EC Herbicide.