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General Instructions:

TOUCHDOWN HITECH is a non-selective foliar-applied herbicide which is absorbed by green plant tissue and translocated through the plant. Weeds must be growing well for optimum performance. Any conditions, e.g., cold or overcast, which slow plant growth will delay or inhibit weed control. Avoid treating plants that are stressed from soil moisture deficit, frost, pests and diseases, and waterlogging. Plants covered with dust may be less susceptible.

TOUCHDOWN HITECH causes yellowing and wilting of above-ground parts followed by browning and death. Visible symptoms may take from several days to 3 to 4 weeks to appear depending on the weed species and the weather conditions. In perennials, TOUCHDOWN HITECH controls underground roots and buds, and symptoms may not be visible for a period of up to 6 weeks. Control of regrowth may not be evident until the following season.

TOUCHDOWN HITECH is absorbed and inactivated by soil particles and will not provide residual control of weeds. Where longer-term weed control is required, TOUCHDOWN HITECH can be tank mixed with certain soil residual herbicides (see Compatibility) or follow-up applications can be made.

TOUCHDOWN HITECH is water-soluble and can be washed off plants by rainfall.

Crop Establishment:

TOUCHDOWN HITECH can be used to control annual and perennial weeds prior to sowing most crops. In some instances, some crops sown or transplanted after the use of glyphosate salts have been injured by one or more factors including inadequate soil phosphorus sorption capacity especially under dry conditions, an interaction with soil fungi and/or decaying weed residues or root exudates from treated weeds.

Mixing:

Use only clean soft water. Use of dam water containing soil particles, or hard water e.g. from bores containing calcium salts may reduce efficacy. Fill the clean spray tank two-thirds full with water. Add the required volume of TOUCHDOWN HITECH and agitate. Complete filling the tank with the hose under the surface to minimize frothing.

Application:

Avoid direct or indirect contact (through spray drift) of desirable plants.

Aerial Application:

Use recommended rates specified in this label up to a maximum limit of 3 L/ha in 20 to 80 L of water. TOUCHDOWN HITECH may be applied by aircraft for control of weeds in forests, cropland, or pasture prior to establishment of crops, new pastures or new forest plantings and for pre-harvest application to sorghum and cotton crops up to a maximum rate of 3 L/ha where specified by this label. DO NOT apply treatments by aircraft in situations where drift onto sensitive crops and pastures is likely to occur.

Other Limitations:

Application on Hilly Terrain:

Increase water volume to 30 to 80 L/ha and increase median droplet diameter of output to at least 300 microns to optimize deposition of spray output onto weeds.

Air Temperature and Relative Humidity:

DO NOT apply TOUCHDOWN HITECH by aircraft at temperatures above 30ºC. Increase spray output to at least 30 L/ha when temperatures rise above 25ºC. Avoid application when relative humidity falls below 35%.

Avoid Drift:

DO NOT apply treatments with spraying equipment or under weather conditions which are likely to cause spray drift onto nearby susceptible crops, pastures, or other sensitive plants. DO NOT apply treatments under very light (< 4 km/hr) or inversion conditions or where wind speeds exceed 12 km/hr.

Boom Equipment:

Use the recommended rate of TOUCHDOWN HITECH in 25 to 250 L of water per ha. The amount of water required will vary depending on the density and size of the weeds to be controlled. Where the lower rates of TOUCHDOWN HITECH are used for fallow weed control, use the lower water volumes. Volumes of 70 L/ha may assist in control of dense infestations of Silver Grass. Spray booms equipped with flat fan nozzles are recommended using an operating pressure of 200 to 280 kPa.

Knapsack and High-Volume Equipment:

Select or adjust nozzle(s) to give a fine spray without causing undesirable runoff.

Wiper Equipment:

TOUCHDOWN HITECH can be applied through hand-held or machine-mounted wiper equipment in non-crop areas and to selectively control weeds in crops and pastures. There must be sufficient height differential between the weed and crop/pasture to allow maximum contact of the wiper with the weeds without touching desirable vegetation. Mix 1 part TOUCHDOWN HITECH with 2 parts clean water. For machine-mounted wipers ground speed should be 4 to 8 km/hr. Two passes, at right angles or in the opposite direction will give better results.

Controlled Droplet Application Equipment (CDA):

Use the following table as a guide for achieving correct application rates using the Microfit *Herbi or similar equipment. See Species Controlled tables for specific rates and use recommendations. For hand-held equipment, a walking speed of approximately 1 m/sec (3.6 km/hr) is recommended.

Rate of TOUCHDOWN HITECH delivered at 1 m/sec | 3 L/ha | 6 L/ha | 9 L/ha

Mixture (by volume) TOUCHDOWN HITECH: water | 1:3 | 1:1 | 2:1

Microfit *Herbi, nozzle | Blue | Blue | Yellow

Application Check List:

• DO NOT treat weeds under poor growing conditions due to moisture stress, waterlogging, severe frosting, insect damage etc. Reduced performance may also occur where weeds are covered with dust or silt.

• DO NOT add surfactants, adjuvants, or other pesticides except as specifically directed on this label.

• Rain within 2 hours of application which causes runoff will require retreatment. Rainfastness is reduced if weeds are not actively growing, under stress, or conditions of low light intensity/darkness. The addition of a 1040 g/L octyl phenol ethoxylate non-ionic surfactant may improve rainfastness on winter annual weeds.

• A withholding period for grazing is not required. However, it is recommended that grazing of treated plants be delayed to ensure herbicide uptake. Certain plants such as Soursob, Variegated Thistle, Sorghum, and Johnson Grass may be naturally toxic to stock when eaten in large quantities under certain conditions. Where plants are known to be toxic, grazing should be delayed until complete desiccation of treated plants has occurred.

• Apply treatments to weeds which have at least one true leaf (broadleaf weeds) or two leaves (grasses) to provide an adequate surface area for herbicide uptake.

Resistant Weeds Warning:

Group M Herbicide: TOUCHDOWN HITECH Herbicide is a member of the glycines group of herbicides. TOUCHDOWN HITECH has the inhibitor of EPSP synthase mode of action. For weed resistance management TOUCHDOWN HITECH is a Group M herbicide. Some naturally occurring weed biotypes resistant to TOUCHDOWN HITECH and other Group M herbicides may exist through normal genetic variability in any weed population. The resistant individuals can eventually dominate the weed population if these herbicides are used repeatedly. These resistant weeds will not be controlled by TOUCHDOWN HITECH or other Group M herbicides.

Since the occurrence of resistant weeds is difficult to detect prior to use, Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability for any losses that may result from the failure of TOUCHDOWN HITECH to control resistant weeds. Advice as to strategies and alternative treatments that can be used should be obtained from your local supplier, consultant, local Department of Agriculture, Primary Industries Department, or a Syngenta representative.

Resistance Warning:

• If heavy grazing has occurred, allow regrowth to 6 to 8 cm before spraying and use the higher rates recommended.

• If glyphosate-resistant weeds are known or suspected to be present, apply an alternative method of control such as rotation with another herbicide e.g. Spray.Seed.

Compatibility:

TOUCHDOWN HITECH can be mixed with the following herbicides and additives where recommended. Ally* (Brush Off*, Renovate*), Gesaprim WG, dicamba, 2,4-D ester, Diurex WG, Express*, Garlon, Glean*, Logran®, MCPA ester/Polo, Gesatop WG and Starane* and the insecticides Imidan*, Karate®, Lorsban* and Le-mat*. These additives may slow down initial activity of TOUCHDOWN HITECH, but final weed control is not usually affected. Addition of crystalline or liquid ammonium sulfate is not required with these products. Add the partner herbicide to the tank when 2/3 full under agitation, then TOUCHDOWN HITECH and complete filling.

TOUCHDOWN HITECH can be mixed with Spark* or Goal* at the spike rate of 75 mL Spark or Goal/ha to increase speed of kill and to aid control of harder-to-kill weeds. Add the Spark or Goal to the 2/3 full spray tank under agitation, then the TOUCHDOWN HITECH and complete filling. DO NOT use a tank mix of atrazine and TOUCHDOWN HITECH for Barnyard Grass control. Also, mixtures of other formulations of simazine, atrazine or diuron may reduce the activity of TOUCHDOWN HITECH.

Wetting Agent:

The addition of wetting agents is not normally necessary. The addition of BS1000* at 200 mL/100 L or Agral® at 300 mL/100 L may improve weed control where weeds are dense and coverage is difficult as in pasture topping or where tank mixes with WG or flowable formulations are used.

Adjuvants: 1040 g/L Octyl Phenol Ethoxylate Non-Ionic Surfactant

The use of a 1040 g/L octyl phenol ethoxylate non-ionic surfactant is recommended for the control of Silver Grass and Annual Ryegrass in late winter and spring. It is not a general-purpose surfactant and should only be used where recommended. Rate: 200 mL/100 L spray solution.

Adjuvants: Pulse Penetrant

Pulse is recommended for the control of bracken and many other woody weeds. Rate: 200 mL/100 L spray solution.

Adjuvants: Ammonium Sulphate

Ammonium sulfate may be used as an adjuvant to alleviate the adverse effects of high levels of calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate ions in water. Rate 2 L/100 L spray solution.