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A pre- and post-emergence herbicide for the control of annual broad-leaved weeds and annual meadow grass in sugar beet, fodder beet, red beet and mangels.
A suspension concentrate formulation containing 700 g/l metamitron.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE
IMPORTANT: This information is approved as part of the product label. All instructions within this section must be read carefully in order to obtain safe and successful use of this product.

RESTRICTIONS/WARNINGS
The residual activity of DEFIANT SC is dependent on the cumulative rate applied; therefore, if the full programme of post-emergence sprays is not used, residual activity and efficacy will be reduced. • Prolonged dry weather after application may reduce effectiveness.
Best results will be obtained on a fine, wellconsolidated seedbed, free from clods and established weeds.
Cloddy or fluffy seedbeds or very dry conditions will reduce activity.
Do not use finer than 80 mesh filters in spray lines or nozzles.
Although DEFIANT SC shows some activity against wild oat, this is insufficient where the weed is a major problem.
Do not allow the spray mixture to stand in the tank for any period and never leave overnight.
Continuous agitation is essential even during temporary stoppages.

TREATMENT OF CROPS
FACTORS AFFECTING CROP TOLERANCE AND PERFORMANCE: DEFIANT SC exhibits consistent weed control combined with great safety to beets when used as recommended. The crop may be affected if the following stress factors apply: previously applied pesticides and herbicides (other than DEFIANT SC pre-emergence or pre-drilling incorporated on mineral soils), soft growth after prolonged rain, sudden changes of temperature, high light intensity, high radiant temperatures, prolonged low temperature periods, insect and fungal attack, damage by wind blows, and nutrient deficiencies such as manganese.
ORGANIC SOILS: Soils with 10% or more of organic matter typically have higher than normal weed seed numbers, which tend to germinate in a series of flushes throughout the growing season; hence the residual activity of herbicides will be reduced. Therefore on such soils, DEFIANT SC is only recommended as a programme of carefully timed post-emergence treatments.

Conventional volume programme
Application & timing

Methods of application
PRE-DRILLING INCORPORATED, OVERALL SPRAY (mineral soils only).
Apply to the soil surface before the final cultivations. Incorporate by harrowing 8-10 cm (3-4 in) deep in two directions, the second at an angle of at least 15º to the first.
PRE-EMERGENCE OF WEED AND CROP, OVERALL OR BAND SPRAY (mineral soils only).
Apply at or soon after drilling to the freshly prepared, well-consolidated and moist seedbed.
POST-EMERGENCE OF CROP, OVERALL SPRAY. Up to 2 applications at 6-14 days intervals in Spring, crop BBCH stage 10-18.

Rate of use
For pre-drilling incorporated and for pre-emergence of weeds and crop:
3 L/ha on all mineral soils.
For post-emergence of the crop: 1.7 L/ha.

Water volumes
Overall Application: Apply in at least 200 litres of water per hectare.
Band Application: Apply in 235 litres/ha in an 18cm (7in) band.

No. of applications
On mineral soils, one application of DEFIANT SC may be applied either pre-drilling incorporated or pre emergence of weeds and beet, followed by one post-emergence application of 1.7 l/ha.

Special situations
Wild Oat
DEFIANT SC shows some activity against wild oat, but where the weed is a major problem, it may be applied to sugar beet in conjunction with an approved graminicide.
DEFIANT SC/Avadex BW Granular
For sugar beet, fodder beet, & mangels
DEFIANT SC may be applied following the pre-drilling application of Avadex BW Granular.

Low dose programme (LDP)
For the most comprehensive general weed control, combined with outstanding crop safety in sugar beet, fodder beet and mangels, use a full programme of low dose sprays of DEFIANT SC/Adjuvant oil as described below. Effective weed control can be achieved by using a reduced pre-emergence dose of DEFIANT SC combined with a series of post-emergence programmes of reduced doses of DEFIANT SC/ Adjuvant oil. The control is achieved by increasing the amount of spray deposit retained on leaf surfaces, improved spray cover is achieved by producing a smaller droplet size. Weeds are susceptible at the early cotyledon stage from a series of well timed sprays of DEFIANT SC/Adjuvant oil. It is advisable to adhere to the full programme of sprays to ensure complete kill particularly under dry soil conditions. In cases where the weeds have advanced beyond this susceptible stage, see “Application & Timing” under TANK MIXES section.
N.B. A correctly timed series of LDP sprays will usually give satisfactory control of; black bindweed, charlock & common chickweed, but specific measures may be required under certain conditions – see “Application & Timing” under TANK MIXES section.
The following weeds are resistant to the DEFIANT SC low dose programme: All perennial weeds, cleavers, toad rush, & red beet, but for control of cleavers, see tank mix with approved formulations of ethofumesate.

Application & timing - LDP:
The ‘STANDARD’ LDP consists of one pre-emergence application of DEFIANT SC at a rate of 3 litres/ha followed by a series of post-emergence DEFIANT SC/ Adjuvant oil applications at a rate of 1.7 litres DEFIANT SC + 1.7 litres Adjuvant oil per hectare. Full details are given below:

Rate of use:
(The ‘Standard’ LDP) PRE-EMERGENCE: On all mineral soils DEFIANT SC at 3 litres/ha (as an overall pre-drilling incorporated, or pre-emergence application) should precede any of the recommended low dose post-emergence sprays. POST-EMERGENCE: A programme of overall sprays using: DEFIANT SC (1.7 litres/ha) + Adjuvant oil (1.7 litres/ha).

Timing
The post-emergence part of the programme should be made when the weeds are at the ‘early cotyledon’ stage. For further important information see the notes below.

Water volume:
80-100 litres/ha

Number of applications
The number of sprays permitted varies according to soil type: Mineral Soils: Either 1 or 2 ‘Standard’ post-emergence applications may be applied as follows: Where the ‘standard’ pre-emergence rate of DEFIANT SC (i.e. 3 litres/ha) has been applied, then 1 postemergence application of DEFIANT SC/Adjuvant oil may be applied. Where the ‘Standard’ pre-emergence application has not been applied, then up to 2 post-emergence applications of DEFIANT SC/Adjuvant oil may be made. Organic Soils: Up to two post-emergence applications of DEFIANT SC/Adjuvant oil may be made in any one season.

Forward speed
Not more than 8 kph.

Pressure
3-5 bar (44-73 psi)

Filters
Do not use filters finer than 80 mesh in spray lines or nozzles.

Nozzles
A number of flat fan and hollow-cone nozzles are suitable.

Notes on timing:
The residual activity of DEFIANT SC is dependent on the cumulative rate of DEFIANT SC applied; therefore, if the full programme of post-emergence sprays is not used, residual activity and efficacy will be reduced. The first application of the DEFIANT SC/Adjuvant oil in a post-emergence programme should be made when the earliest emerging weeds are at the early cotyledon stage, irrespective of the growth stage of the beet PROVIDING that the crop is not suffering from any of the stress factors mentioned under the TREATMENT OF CROPS section above. On organic soils, where weed populations are higher than on mineral soils and emergence is usually very rapid, it is particularly important that the first application is timed so that the weeds are not beyond the very early cotyledon stage. Subsequent applications of DEFIANT SC/Adjuvant oil at the recommended rate should be made when new flushes of weeds are at the early cotyledon stage - this is likely to be at 7-10 day intervals, but under conditions favouring rapid weed germination, it could be less. Fields should be monitored every few days to check the development of weed populations. The programme of sprays should continue until weed emergence ceases. If weeds are still surviving after the previous spray, a further application should be made after 7-10 days, even if no new weeds have emerged.

MIXING
Half fill the spray tank with clean water and begin agitation. Add the required quantity of DEFIANT SC to the tank and complete filling. Continue agitation until spraying is completed. After use thoroughly wash out the spraying machine and nozzles with two rinses of water.

SUCCEEDING CROPS
Only sugar beet, fodder beet, and mangels should be sown within 4 months of the last DEFIANT SC treatment. Winter cereals may be sown in the same season, providing 16 weeks have elapse from the last DEFIANT SC treatment and sowing. Mouldboard ploughing to a depth of 15cm (6in) followed by thorough cultivation is recommended before planting any crop. Any spring crop may be sown in the season following use of DEFIANT SC.

WEED RESISTANCE
This product contains metamitron, a Group C1 herbicide, based on the mode of action classification system of the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee. Repeated use of herbicides with the same mode of action can increase the risk of strains of weed developing resistance to these compounds, leading to poor control. In order to minimize the risk, a strategy for preventing and managing such resistance should be adopted.
Growers are advised to apply products herbicides with different modes of action in sequence or tank mix where two or more components are active against the target weeds. Use the recommended rate of DEFIANT SC and the correct application timing for the hardest to control weed species present in the field.The above should be used in conjunction with effective cropping rotation and cultivation techniques e.g. stale seedbed, cultivation and use of non-selective herbicide prior to drilling.
Further guidance on weed resistance management is available from the Herbicide Resistance Action Group (HRAC) and Weed Resistance Action Group (WRAG). Follow WRAG guidelines.