Touchdown IQPlant Protection Product ComparisonPlant Protection Product ComparisonReport inaccuraciesReport inaccuracies

For the control of a wide range of annual and perennial Grass and Broadleaf weeds in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Industrial areas, Recreational areas and for other uses including general weed control.

GENERAL INFORMATION
- TOUCHDOWN IQ is a non-selective foliar applied herbicide for use in: agriculture before planting crops, pasture, vegetables or trees, in conservation tillage systems, in orchards, kiwifruit, vineyards, market gardens and forestry, and in industrial or non-agricultural areas, and recreational areas including home gardens.
- Avoid contact with foliage or green stems of fruit or crops, desirable plants and trees since severe injury or destruction may result. Avoid application in winds which allow drift onto desirable plants. Read the entire label before using this product.
- TOUCHDOWN IQ is a non-volatile water soluble liquid with non-selective herbicidal activity against many annual and perennial broadleaf weeds and grasses.
- TOUCHDOWN IQ is absorbed by plant foliage and green stems. It is inactivated immediately by soil particles and does not provide residual weed control.
- TOUCHDOWN IQ is translocated from treated vegetative growth to and into underground roots, rhizomes or stolons. Visible symptoms may take up to 14 days or even longer depending on growing conditions.
- Visible effects are a gradual wilting and yellowing of the foliage which advances to deterioration of both above and below ground parts.
- Delay application until the weeds are in the growth stage described in the "Weeds Controlled" section of this label. Plants arising from unattached rhizomes or rootstocks of perennial weeds will not be affected by the spray and will continue to grow. For this reason best control of most perennial weeds is obtained at late growth stages approaching maturity.
- Ensure weeds are actively growing with sufficient leaf area to achieve optimum herbicide uptake.
- DO NOT treat weeds under poor growing conditions, when they are stressed, or if they are covered in dust or silt as reduced results may occur.
- Rainfall occurring up to 2 hours after application may reduce effectiveness.
BEWARE: Apply this product carefully. Spray drift may cause serious damage to other desirable plants.

MIXING
Use only clean, soft water. Use of pond, ditch or irrigation race water containing soil/silt particles or hard water containing calcium salts may reduce efficacy. Fill the clean spray tank two thirds full with water. Add the required volume of TOUCHDOWN IQ and agitate. Complete filling the tank with the hose end under the surface to minimise frothing.

APPLICATION
AVOID direct or indirect contact (through spray drift) of desirable plants.
Boom Application: Use the recommended rate of TOUCHDOWN IQ in approximately 200 litres of water per hectare. The amount of water will vary depending on the density and size of weeds to be controlled.
For broadacre boom application, flat fan wide angle nozzles using 200 to 280 kPa are preferred. Ensure that boom height is set so as to achieve a double overlap of spray pattern at the top of weed canopy.
Knapsack and Handgun Application: Select or adjust nozzle(s) to give a fine spray without causing undesirable drift. Use the minimum volume necessary to achieve uniform and complete coverage without run off.
Wiper Application: TOUCHDOWN IQ can be applied through hand held or machine mounted rope wick equipment. There must be sufficient height differential between the target weed and crop/pasture to allow maximum contact of the wiper onto the weeds without touching desirable vegetation.
Mix 1 part TOUCHDOWN IQ with 2 parts clean water. In heavy weed infestations or when treating perennial weeds, a double pass in opposite directions will give better results. As weed density increases, decrease ground speed.

ADDITIVES
An organo-silicone surfactant may be used with TOUCHDOWN IQ to improve rate of uptake when treating perennial ryegrass. An organo-silicone surfactant/penetrant is also recommended for use when treating some scrub weeds. Refer to "Weeds Controlled" section for recommended rates.

STORAGE
Store in the closed, original container in a cool, dry, well ventilated area. DO NOT store for prolonged periods in direct sunlight. When stored appropriately, this product should show no significant degradation for 2 years from the date of manufacture.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Note: Refer to the "Weeds Controlled" section on this label for specific rates of application.

GENERAL WEED CONTROL

HANDGUN
Weeds Controlled: General weed control
Rate: 650 mL in 100 litres of water
Critical Comments: Apply to completely wet the foliage but not to run off.

KNAPSACK
Weeds Controlled: General weed control
Rate: 100 mL in 15 litres of water
Critical Comments: Apply to completely wet the foliage but not to run off.

SMALLER SPRAYERS
Weeds Controlled: General weed control
Rate: 7 mL per every 1 litre of water
Critical Comments: Apply to completely wet the foliage but not to run off.

AGRICULTURAL AREAS

SPRAY CULTIVATION / CONSERVATION TILLAGE
Weeds Controlled: Annual Weeds
Rate: 650 mL to 1.3 litres/ha
Critical Comments: Apply to completely wet the foliage but not to run off.

Weeds Controlled: Pasture
Rate: 650 mL to 2 litres/ha
Critical Comments: Apply to completely wet the foliage but not to run off.

Weeds Controlled: White clover
Rate: Tank-mix with a suitable white clover herbicide e.g. BANVEL
Critical Comments: Where BANVEL is used observe the waiting periods prior to planting subsequent crops.

FOR VEGETATION CONTROL PRIOR TO PLANTING CROPS OR PASTURE
Weeds Controlled: Annual and Perennial weeds
Rate: 650 mL to 2 litres/ha
Critical Comments: May be used for the control of weeds as directed in agricultural areas, prior to sowing any edible or non-edible crop. Cultivation may commence from 5 days after spraying perennial weeds and 3 days for annual weeds.

CROP RECOMMENDATION

ASPARAGUS
Weeds Controlled: General weeds
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: TOUCHDOWN IQ can be applied following the final harvest and immediately after removal of spears but before crop regrowth occurs. May also be used prior to planting or crop emergence (DO NOT treat emerging spears) and in established ferns as a directed or shielded spray or with wiper equipment.

FORESTRY
Weeds Controlled: Scrub weeds, Grasses, Broadleaf weeds
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: For site preparation prior to forest and/or nursery plantings. For pre-burn desiccation in situations such as re-forestation. As a directed or shielded spray (or with wiper equipment) amongst established trees. For residual control TOUCHDOWN IQ can be tank mixed with GESATOP 500FW, GARDOPRIM 500FW or another approved residual herbicide. DO NOT allow spray, spray drift or the wiper surface to contact foliage or green bark of desirable trees as severe injury may result.

INDUSTRIAL AND NON-AGRICULTURAL AREAS
Weeds Controlled: General weeds
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: For residual control TOUCHDOWN IQ can be tank mixed with GESATOP 500FW, GESAPRIM 500FW or another approved residual herbicide. Follow all precautions for the residual herbicide used.

MARKET GARDENS
Weeds Controlled: Annual and Perennial weeds
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: TOUCHDOWN IQ can be applied before or after seeding but prior to crop emergence. Can also be applied prior to transplanting or as a post-harvest clean-up.

ORCHARDS (CITRUS, GRAPEVINES, KIWIFRUIT, PIPFRUIT, STONEFRUIT)
Weeds Controlled: General weeds
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: Apply TOUCHDOWN IQ as a directed or shielded spray or with wiper equipment. For longer term weed control TOUCHDOWN IQ may be tank mixed with a suitable residual herbicide eg GESATOP 500FW. Note: DO NOT apply near unprotected trees less than 3 years old. DO NOT allow spray drift to contact any part of stonefruit trees, or green bark, suckers, buds foliage or fruit of other trees. DO NOT allow wiper surfaces to contact any part of the trees.

PASTURE
Weeds Controlled: Various weed species
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: Direct (spot) application. TOUCHDOWN IQ is non-selective and may damage or kill any plant growing within the sprayed area. Re-treatment and/or pasture improvement may be required to restrict seedling re-establishment.

Weeds Controlled: Erect weeds
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: Selective wiper application.

Weeds Controlled: Scrub weeds
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: Refer to "Weeds Controlled" table for specific recommendations.

PASTURE RENOVATION
Weeds Controlled:  Existing pasture species
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: To control weeds prior to re-seeding pasture or establishing other crops.

THRESHING PEAS
Weeds Controlled: Pre-harvest desiccation
Rate: Up to 2.7 litres/ha depending on the specific weeds present
Critical Comments: Apply TOUCHDOWN IQ 10 to 14 days before harvesting when the pods have dried. Only peas for threshing should be treated, with application occurring no less than 10 days before harvest to allow optimum herbicide translocation into weed roots. DO NOT treat crops which will be harvested for seed or undersown crops, as undersown plant species including clovers may be severely damaged. Avoid treating if such weeds are drought stressed.  

TURFGRASS, RECREATIONAL AREAS, GARDEN AREAS
Weeds Controlled: General weeds
Rate: See "Weeds Controlled" table
Critical Comments: Apply TOUCHDOWN IQ before establishing lawns, parks, reserves and ornamentals. May also be used as a directed, shielded or wiper application around trees, shrubs or other ornamental plants and as a spot, directed or shielded treatment in rockeries, paths and garden beds. Note: DO NOT allow spray, spray drift or the wiper surface to contact trees, shrubs or other desirable plant species. In mown areas, allow sufficient regrowth before spraying.

WEEDS CONTROLLED
Annual and Perennial Weeds

ANNUAL WEEDS
Boom litres/ha: 650 mL to 1.3
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 130 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 20 
Critical Comments: Use the higher rate for larger weeds.

BARLEY GRASS (Hordeum murinum)
Boom litres/ha: 650 mL
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 130 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 20
Critical Comments: Apply early vegetative to green seedhead stage.

BROWNTOP (Agrostis capilaris)
Boom litres/ha: 2
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 330 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 50
Critical Comments: Apply to 5 to 10 cm high actively growing plants.

CALIFORNIAN THISTLE (Cirsium arvense)
Boom litres/ha: 2.7
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply after flower bud development but before autumn browning to optimise herbicide translocation. Wiper - In heavy infestations a double pass at low speed is recommended.

COCKSFOOT (Dactylis glomerata)
Boom litres/ha: 2 to 2.7
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 330 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 50
Critical Comments: Apply to actively growing plants in spring to autumn. Use the higher rate on large clumpy plants or under cold or slower growing conditions.

COUCH (Elytrigia repens)
Boom litres/ha: 2 to 4
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply to plants which have 4 to 5 leaves and are actively growing. For suppression use 2 litres/ha, for control use 2.7 to 4 litres/ha. Use the high rate for spring applications. DO NOT cultivate for 6 months prior to application to ensure maximum emergence of shoots.

DOCKS (Rumex spp.)
Boom litres/ha: 2.7
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: For control of seedling and young plants, apply in spring/early summer when plants are actively growing.

INDIAN DOAB (Cynodon dactylon)
Boom litres/ha: 6
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply when at early flowering and growing actively.

JOHNSON GRASS (Sorghum halepense)
Boom litres/ha: 4
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply when actively growing.

KIKUYU (Pennisetum clandestinum)
Boom litres/ha: 3.3
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply to actively growing plants from October to April.

PASPALUM (Paspalum dilitatum)
Boom litres/ha: 2 to 4
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply at early flowering and when growing actively. Use the low rate for seedling plants.

POTATO - SELF SET (Solanum tuberosum)
Boom litres/ha: 2
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 330mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 50
Critical Comments: Apply upon maximum emergence of self-sets in spring to summer.

PRAIRIE GRASS (Bromus willdenow ii)
Boom litres/ha: 1.3
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 130 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 20
Critical Comments: Apply when actively growing.

RAUTIHI - CUTTY GRASS (Carex spp.)
Boom litres/ha: 2.7 to 3.3
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply from January to March to actively growing plants. Ensure thorough coverage. Burning or slashing may be undertaken after brownout of plants, followed by oversowing. Use higher rate in tall dense situations.

RYEGRASS PERENNIAL (Lolium perenne)
Boom litres/ha: 1 to 2 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 330 mL plus organo-silicone at label rates
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 50 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Critical Comments: Apply when plants are 3 to 10 cm high and actively growing. Use the low rate January to July when cultivation is to follow spraying. Use 2 litres/ha from August to December. Use an organo-silicone surfactant at all times.

RAGWORT (Senecio jacobaea)
Boom litres/ha: 4
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply when plants are actively growing. Caution - Ragwort plants may become more palatable after spraying. Stock should be removed until treated plants brown off.

RUSHES (Juncus spp.)
Boom litres/ha: 2.7 to 4
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply to actively growing plants from January to March.

SWEET VERNAL (anthoxanthum odoratum)
Boom litres/ha: 1.3 to 2
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 330 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 50
Critical Comments: Apply when actively growing.

TALL FESCUE (Festuca arundinacea)
Boom litres/ha: 3.3
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100
Critical Comments: Apply when plants are actively growing.

YORKSHIRE FOG (Holcus lanatus)
Boom litres/ha: 2 
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 330mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 50
Critical Comments: Apply when plants are actively growing.

YARROW (Achillea millefolium)
Boom litres/ha: 2 to 4
Handgun Vol/100 litres: -
Knapsack ml/15 litres: - 
Critical Comments: Apply to plants with 5 to 10 cm leaf. For seedling control or where cultivation and the establishment of a subsequent competitive crop is to follow spraying, use the 2 litres/ha rate. In all other situations or when a poor competitor crop is to be drilled, use the 4 litres/ha rate.

Scrub/Brushweeds

BLECHNUM FERN (Blechnum sp.)
Boom or Aerial litres/ha: 6 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL plus organo-silicone at label rates
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Critical Comments: Apply after fronds unfurl but prior to any frost browning (usually January to June period).

BRACKEN (Pteridium esculentum)
Boom or Aerial litres/ha: 4 to 6 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL plus organo-silicone at label rates
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Critical Comments: Apply after fronds unfurl but prior to any frost browning (usually January to June period). Use the higher rate in dense situations where old leaf trash exists or alternatively, burn in winter-spring period and spray fresh regrowth.

BROOM (Cytisus scoparius)
Boom or Aerial litres/ha: 6 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL plus organo-silicone at label rates
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Critical Comments: Aerial applications are best made when plants are in full leaf and actively growing. Handgun spraying may be undertaken at any time.

BUDDLEJA (Buddleja sp.)
Boom or Aerial litres/ha: 6 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL plus organo-silicone at label rates
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Critical Comments: Aerial applications should be made from January to April to plants with actively growing and well developed new season lateral growth. If actively growing handgun spraying may be undertaken at any time.

GORSE (Ulex europaeus)
Boom or Aerial litres/ha: 6 to 8 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL plus organo-silicone at label rates
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Critical Comments: Handgun: Spray to achieve complete coverage at any time of year. Aerial: (Pre-burn treatment only)
In land renovation areas or forestation sites where burning is planned, spray 4 to 6 months prior, to ensure adequate brownout and stem dehydration is achieved for an optimum burn. Some gorse re-establishment can occur from seed or old rootstocks which may require respraying by aerial or spot treatment. Re-spraying operations should be considered prior to oversowing for pasture re-establishment purposes. Use the higher rate of TOUCHDOWN IQ for large, more dense gorse cover using double pass-half overlap technique. A water rate of 200 to 300 litres/ha is recommended.

HIMALAYAN HONEYSUCKLE (Leycesteria formosa)
Boom or Aerial litres/ha: 6 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL plus organo-silicone at label rates
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Critical Comments: Apply to actively growing plants with well developed new season lateral growth but prior to any autumn-winter defoliation.

RINGFERN (Paesia scaberula)
Boom or Aerial litres/ha: 650 mL
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 130 mL
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 20
Critical Comments: Use 650 mL/ha from January to April for ringfern control. For pasture renovation/manipulation, other broadleaf or grass weed species may exist for which control is required in addition to ringfern. This may determine the need for a higher use rate (following their identification, refer to this “Weeds Controlled” panel for rate recommendation).
Burn 4 to 6 weeks after treatment and oversow with pasture species.

TOETOE / PAMPAS GRASS (Cortaderia sp.)
Boom or Aerial litres/ha: 6 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL 
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100 
Critical Comments: Apply spring to autumn. Ensure complete wetting of foliage. Best results are achieved when sprayed after flowering. Poor control may occur if sprayed while plants are in flower.

TUTU (Coriaria sp.)
Boom or Aerial litres/ha: 4 plus organo-silicone at label rates
Handgun Vol/100 litres: 650 mL 
Knapsack ml/15 litres: 100 
Critical Comments: Apply November to May to actively growing plants.

WITHHOLDING PERIODS
It is an offence for users of this product to cause residues exceeding the relevant MRL in the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards.
A withholding period for grazing stock is not required. Stock can be grazed one day after treatment of annual weeds or three days if perennial weeds are present to ensure absorption of TOUCHDOWN IQ.