Benchmark A

Manufacturer
Dow AgroSciences
Category
Herbicides
Registered until
Registration expired
Registration number
28787
Active materials

GENERAL INFORMATION
Benchmark A Herbicide is a selective postemergence herbicide for the control of hard-to-kill annual broadleaved weeds such as chickweed, wild buckwheat and cleavers in spring wheat (including durum), and spring barley. Benchmark A Herbicide is mixed with water and applied as a uniform broadcast spray.
It is non-corrosive, nonflammable, and nonvolatile.
Benchmark A Herbicide must be applied early postemergence, to the main flush of actively growing broadleaved weeds. Warm, moist growing conditions promote active weed growth and enhance the activity of Benchmark A Herbicide by allowing maximum foliar uptake and contact activity. Weeds hardened off by cold weather or drought stress may not be adequately controlled or suppressed and regrowth may occur. For best results, ensure thorough spray coverage of target weeds. See “DIRECTIONS FOR USE” section of this label for complete use details.
Benchmark A Herbicide stops growth of susceptible weeds rapidly. However, typical symptoms (discolouration) of dying weeds may not be noticeable for 1 to 2 weeks after application, depending upon growing conditions and weed susceptibility. Degree of control and duration of effect are dependent on weed sensitivity, weed size, crop competition, growing conditions at and following treatment, and spray coverage.

MODE OF ACTION
Benchmark A Herbicide inhibits the production of the ALS enzyme in plants. This enzyme is essential for the production of certain amino acids which are essential for plant growth. Benchmark A Herbicide is a Group 2 mode of action herbicide.

GENERAL USE PRECAUTIONS

Sensitive Plants
Do not apply Benchmark A Herbicide directly to, or otherwise permit it to come in direct contact with susceptible crops or desirable plants including alfalfa, edible beans, canola, flowers and ornamentals, lentils, lettuce, peas, potatoes, radishes, soybeans, sugar beets, sunflowers, tomatoes or tobacco.

Non-Target Sites
Do not apply where proximity of susceptible crops (e.g. canola and legumes) or other desirable plants is likely to result in exposure to spray or spray drift. See Environmental Hazards section of the label.

Crop Rotation
Fields previously treated with Benchmark A Herbicide can be seeded the following year to barley, canola, peas, wheat or fields can be summerfallowed.
Do not use in successive years at the same site.
This product has potential to leach. Do not apply excessive irrigation.

Tank Mixtures
Do not apply this product with any other additive, pesticide or fertilizer except as specifically recommended on this label. When a tank mixture is used, consult the labels of the tank-mix partners and observe the largest (most restrictive) buffer zone of the products involved in the tank mixture.

Spray Equipment Precaution
Do not apply through any type of irrigation system.

DO NOT APPLY BY AIR.

To Reduce Spray Drift:
1. Use nozzles delivering higher volumes and coarser droplets.
2. Use low pressures (200 to 275 kPa).
3. Use 100 L/ha of spray solution.
4. Spray when the wind velocity is 15 km/hr or less.
5. Spot treatments should only be applied with a calibrated boom to prevent over-application.

Equipment Clean-Up
Equipment used to apply Benchmark A Herbicide should not be used to apply other pesticides to sensitive crops without thorough cleaning. To avoid subsequent injury to crops other than cereals, all spraying equipment must be thoroughly cleaned both inside and out, as follows:
1. Immediately after spraying, drain. Any contamination on the outside of the spraying equipment should be removed by washing with clean water.
2. Rinse inside of tank with clean water and flush through booms and hoses using at least one tenth of the spray tank volume. Drain tank completely.
3. Add 1 L of household ammonia (containing a minimum of 3 % ammonia) per 100 L of water while filling the tank with clean water. Agitate and then briefly flush the boom and hoses with the cleaning solution. Top up with water making sure the tank is completely full and allow to stand for 15 minutes with agitation. Flush the boom and hoses and drain tank completely.
4. Remove nozzles and screens and clean separately with an ammonia solution (100 mL in 10 L water).
5. Rinse the tank with clean water and flush through the boom and hoses using at least one tenth of the spray tank volume. Drain tank completely.

Note: If it is not possible to drain the tank completely, step 3 must be repeated before going onto step 4.
Caution: Do not use ammonia with chlorine bleach. Using ammonia with chlorine bleach will release a gas with a musty chlorine odour which may cause eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation. Do not clean equipment in an enclosed area.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

READ THE ENTIRE LABEL BEFORE USE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW LABEL INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN ERRATIC WEED CONTROL OR CROP DAMAGE. DO NOT APPLY TO CROPS UNDERSEEDED WITH LEGUMES.

BENCHMARK A HERBICIDE ALONE

Crops Registered
spring wheat (including durum) and spring barley

Application Directions
Apply 100 mL of Benchmark A Herbicide per hectare in a minimum of 100 L per hectare of water. Add Agral 90 at 0.2% v/v. See the following list for weeds species controlled. Apply to actively growing wheat and barley from the 2 to 6 leaf stage. Apply when weeds are actively growing. Only weeds emerged at the time of treatment will be controlled. Best results are obtained from applications made to seedling weeds.

Application Timing
Apply to actively growing weeds in the 2-4 leaf stage. Extreme growing conditions such as drought or near freezing temperature prior to, at or following time of application may reduce weed control and increase the risk of crop injury at all stages of growth. Only weeds which are emerged at the time of application will be affected. If foliage is wet at the time of application, control may be decreased. Under conditions of low crop and high weed density, control may be reduced.

Mixing Instructions
1. Fill sprayer tank 1/2 full of water.
2. Start sprayer tank agitation.
3. Add the required amount of Benchmark A Herbicide
4. Fill the sprayer tank with sufficient water to spray 100 L of spray mixture per hectare.
5. Add Agral 90 as the last ingredient at the rate of 0.2% v/v (2 L per 1000 L of spray volume).
6. Follow sprayer directions and precautions as outlined above, especially when applying next to sensitive crops (e.g. canola and legumes).
7. Follow sprayer clean-up directions.

Preharvest/Grazing Intervals
Livestock may be grazed on treated crops 7 days following application. Do not harvest the treated crop within 60 days after application.

TANK MIX COMBINATION - BENCHMARK A HERBICIDE + BROMOXYNIL

Crops Registered
spring wheat (including durum) and spring barley

Application Directions
For control of a wide spectrum of broadleaved weeds (see the following list of weeds controlled), apply Benchmark A Herbicide at 100 mL/ha tank mixed with 280 g ai/ha of bromoxynil liquid formulations, including emulsifiable suspensions (for example, 1 L/ha Pardner1 Emulsifiable Selective Weedkiller or 1.2 L/ha Koril2 235 Liquid Herbicide), in 100 L per hectare of water. Apply to spring wheat, durum wheat, and spring barley from the 2 to 6 leaf stage. Apply when weeds are actively growing (2-4 leaf stage). Only weeds emerged at the time of treatment will be controlled. Best results are obtained from applications made to seedling weeds. Follow all precautions, directions for use, and limitations on the tank mix partner labels.

Mixing Instructions
1. Fill sprayer tank 1/2 full of water.
2. Start sprayer tank agitation.
3. Add the required amount of Benchmark A Herbicide and continue to agitate.
4. Add the correct amount of bromoxynil product
5. Fill the sprayer tank with sufficient water to spray 100 L of spray mixture per hectare.
6. Follow sprayer directions and precautions as outlined above, especially when applying next to sensitive crops (e.g. canola and legumes).
7. Follow sprayer clean-up directions.
Note: Do not add a surfactant to this tank mixture.

Pre-Harvest/Grazing Intervals (Benchmark A Herbicide + bromoxynil)
1. Do not cut the treated crop for hay or graze treated crop within 30 days of application.
2. Do not harvest the treated crop within 60 days of application.

TANK-MIX COMBINATIONS WITH BENCHMARK A HERBICIDE + BROMOXYNIL + OTHER HERBICIDES

Crops Registered
spring wheat (including durum) and spring barley

Tank mixtures of Benchmark A Herbicide + bromoxynil with other herbicides (see the following table) will provide control of broadleaved weeds and specified annual grasses. Apply when crops and weeds are actively growing. Only weeds emerged at the time of treatment will be controlled. Best results are obtained from applications made to seedling weeds. Follow all precautions, minimum interval to harvest and directions for use on the Benchmark A Herbicide and tank-mix partner labels.

Mixing Instructions
1. Fill sprayer tank 1/2 full of water.
2. Start sprayer tank agitation.
3. Add Benchmark A Herbicide
4. Add bromoxynil product and continue to agitate.
5. Add tank mix partner and continue to agitate.
6. Add adjuvant if required and continue to agitate.
7. Fill sprayer tank with sufficient water to spray 100 L of spray mixture per hectare.
8. Follow sprayer directions and precautions as outlined above, especially when applying next to sensitive crops (e.g. canola and legumes).
9. Follow sprayer clean-up directions.

RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
For resistance management, Benchmark A Herbicide is a Group 2 herbicide. Any weed population may contain or develop plants naturally resistant to Benchmark A Herbicide and other Group 2 herbicides.
The resistant biotypes may dominate the weed population if these herbicides are used repeatedly in the same field. Other resistance mechanisms that are not linked to site of action, but specific for individual chemicals, such as enhanced metabolism, may also exist. Appropriate resistance management strategies should be followed.
To delay herbicide resistance:
Where possible, rotate the use of Benchmark A Herbicide or other Group 2 herbicides with different herbicide groups that control the same weeds in a field.
Use tank mixtures with herbicides from a different group when such use is permitted.
Herbicide use should be based on an IPM program that includes scouting, historical information related to herbicide use and crop rotation, and considers tillage (or other mechanical), cultural, biological and other chemical control practices.
Monitor treated weed populations for resistance development.
Prevent movement of resistant weed seeds to other fields by cleaning harvesting and tillage equipment and planting clean seed.
Contact your local extension specialist or certified crop advisors for any additional pesticide resistance management and/or integrated weed management recommendations for specific crops and weed biotypes.
For further information or to report suspected resistance, contact Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. at 1-800-667-3852.

NOTICE TO USER: This pest control product is to be used only in accordance with the directions on the label. It is an offence under the Pest Control Products Act to use this product in a way that is inconsistent with the directions on the label. The user assumes the risk to persons or property that arises from any such use of this product.

Registered for culturesRatePreharvest Interval
Spring barley100 ml60
Spring wheat100 ml60