-Credit by Successful farming .

Between managing risk, improving productivity, and implementing sustainable practices on the farm, there’s not much room for error. Adjuvants help growers balance it all when it comes to weed control. For over 20 years, Grounded® from Helena has been a mainstay in herbicide applications as a trusted soil deposition aid. As weed control continues to evolve, there’s more to discover about this highly versatile adjuvant.

“Now, with resistance management, a lot of the old chemistries are coming back,” says Dr. Michael Kenty, a Product Specialist with Helena based in Tennessee. “Most of those are very water soluble.”

According to Dr. Kenty, the challenge with solubility is the herbicide’s ability to move out of the weed germination zone as it continues to receive moisture. If a pre-emergence herbicide moves down only a couple inches into the soil, it will go below the weed seed.

“The weed seed has to germinate and grow through a pre, take it up and die,” says Dr. Kenty. “So, it’s not that the herbicide disappeared from the soil, it just moved out of the kill zone.”

Grounded holds herbicides in the upper part of the soil profile and reduces leaching. Keeping herbicides in the right place maximizes weed seed-herbicide contact, resulting in a higher rate of control. It also works hand in hand with efforts to safeguard soil and water quality. For growers, adding Grounded to the tank helps them avoid the added time and expense of another trip across the field due to poor herbicide performance.

“Whether you’re talking about something like atrazine, metribuzin or s-metolachlor, Grounded gives us a good advantage,” says Austin Anderson, Brand Manager of Adjuvants for Helena. “It helps you lay the foundation of a season where you really want to start clean and stay ahead of those weeds that are out there in the field.”

When applying soil-applied chemistry, growers also have to be mindful of drift. Grounded’s oil-based formulation helps reduce driftable fines to create a more uniform spray that stays on target. As Anderson explains, the complexity of these early-season applications requires more than just drift and deposition. Compatibility is equally important.

“There are so many different mixes of chemicals that can go out,” says Anderson. He says the key is to keep usability and efficiency top of mind by making sure everything in the tank works together. As a “truly multi-functional adjuvant,” Grounded accomplishes this, too, and it helps with cleanout when the job is done.

Grounded is labeled for use in row crops, fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and non-crop applications. Consult with your local Helena representatives to make Grounded a part of your weed management program this season.

To hear more from Austin Anderson and Dr. Michael Kenty, listen to Episode 27 of the FieldLink podcast available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.