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cropprotection
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Good Agricultural Practice and weed
management using Glyphosate
Richard Garnett
Monsanto Weed Workshop, Prague
16th June, 2011

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• Glyphosate benefits
– We sometimes forget the revolution it triggered
• Good Agricultural Practice
– Legal & practical background
• Best weed management practices
– Sustainable weed control
• Minimise risk of off‐target contamination
– Water & other sensitive areas
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Uniquely wide range of uses EMEA
• Broad spectrum
– broad‐leaved weeds & grasses
– annual & perennial weeds
– revolutionised control of couch grass
(Elymus repens; Elytrigia repens)
• Agricultural weed control
– arable, grassland, fruit & vines, horticulture
– crop selectivity
• by timing e.g. pre‐plant, pre‐harvest
• by placement e.g directed spray
– new developments
• “no‐till”, “conservation tillage (CT)”
• “harvest aid”
• Vegetation management
– streets, roads & railways
– parks & home gardens
– forestry
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Summary of the benefits EMEA
Excellent broad‐spectrum weed control: glyphosate moves throughout the plant and controls the growing
shoots and roots, thus providing long‐term control of a very wide range of species from annual to
perennial grasses and broadleaves, invasive species , as well as weeds resistant to selective products in
arable crops.
Cost effective weed control: one application can control perennial weeds for many years and application of
glyphosate can be made in low water volumes meaning fewer fills and very efficient spraying operation
compared with expensive mechanical techniques that require a large amount of manpower, machines and
transport.
Improved establishment of crops plants, shrubs and trees: Weed competition can mean at best slow/
suppressed growth, at worst death, of planted crops/ shrubs/ trees. Application of glyphosate to fully
control existing weed/ plant cover gives a clean start, optimising establishment and growth of any newly
sown/ planted crop/ tree.
Increase yield and quality: removal of weed competition can increase yield by up to 30‐60% (dense perennial
weeds), 10% with lower populations and 3‐7% by ripening of green crops and removing annual weeds
reducing grain losses at harvest. By facilitating earlier harvest grain/ seed quality is maintained compared
to later harvesting and seed contains less other material requiring less cleaning and growers can get a
better price.
Increased harvesting efficiency and lower fuel use: studies have shown that crops treated with glyphosate 7‐
10 days before harvest are more uniform and drier at harvest, so there is less material to be harvested
reducing the load on the combine harvester, reducing fuel use by 25% in wheat and 35% in oilseed rape
and increasing the speed of harvest, so harvest can be completed earlier.
Reduced soil erosion: Many traditional practices for weed control rely on repeated cultivation
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GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
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Good agricultural practice
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are "practices that address environmental,
economic and social sustainability for on‐farm processes, and result in safe and
quality food and non‐food agricultural products" (FAO COAG 2003 GAP paper).
Four 'pillars' of GAP:
• economic viability
• environmental sustainability
•social acceptability
•food safety and quality
Glyphosate GAP promotes application of glyphosate products according to the label
recommendations, maximizing return on investment for the customer (efficient weed
management, yield optimization,harvest facilitation,…) and minimizing impact on the
environment , non target areas, the health of people directly or indirectly related to the
application and the health of people consuming directly or indirectly treated food
commodities.

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EU Legal/regulatory framework EMEA
* DIR 2000/60/EC Water Framework Directive
o Sustainable use of water
o Good water quality status by 2015
‐Progressive reduction of emissions of PS
‐Phasing out emissions of PHS
* DIR 2009/128 /EC Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive
o Reduce impact of PPP on human health and environment
o Achieve more sustainable use of pesticides
o Monitor report Status and Progress
o National action plans
* REG1107/2009/EC Pesticide Authorisation Directive
o Clear links to water legislation (Article 4, point 3,e (i), Article 21, point 1,…)
oProduct authorization – Annex I renewal

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Good Agricultural Practice for good EMEA
weed management
1) Know the weed population and dynamics in the fields
2) Adapt weed management & tillage to the production system
3) Plan to use mixtures/sequences with herbicides with different modes of action,
and mechanical methods, to prevent increases in any weed species
4) Use quality products from recognized suppliers to ensure optimum and consistent
performance whilst respecting the environment
5) Read the label and follow the recommendations :
the right dose (weed population) at the right time (weed growth stage) with the
right application equipment and in good weather conditions
6) Control weeds when they are most susceptible
7) Verify herbicide efficacy & take action if necessary to prevent weeds from seeding
8) Follow up poor efficacy with supplier or manufacturer
9) Clean equipment before moving from field to field to minimize spread of weed
seed
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Optimal use ‐ plant factors EMEA
Efficacy is generally determined by weed species, growth
stage, growth activity, stress
• Species: some are less susceptible to Roundup
– Perennials: Legumes, Equisetum, Ivy (Hedera), nettles (Urtica), volunteer potatoes,
– Annuals: Polygonums, annual nettle,
– Thick waxy cuticles, hairy surfaces…
• Growth stage/ timing
– weeds must be green and growing (uptake and translocation).
– Optimum: flowering/ pre‐die‐back = movement of sugars to roots = best control of
most weeds, particularly those hard to kill
– Watch out: extension phase of growth = upward sugar transport = poor control in
most grasses
• worst in ryegrass, black‐grass, bromes & some perennial BLW’s (Convolvulus, Conyza etc).
• Growth activity/stress
– No / poor metabolism = no transport
– Hot / freezing, water‐logging, disease, covering
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Optimal use – climatic factors EMEA
Factors which favour good growing conditions favour best efficacy
• Temperatures
⊕ moderate temperatures favour efficacy, 15‐25◦C.
⊕ low temperatures/ light frost => slow, but good kill.
– hard/long‐term frosts = plant shuts down, floppy => poor performance
– high temperatures = scorch, stress, plant shut‐down => poor performance
• Moisture: in soil, relative humidity, dew, fog, rainfall
⊕ Good soil moisture content
⊕ high humidity => good control (as long as run‐off is minimal)
⊕ spray in morning on dew/ fog (as long as dries out in day)
– rainfall challenges performance most when growing conditions are poor
• Light
⊕ best results in morning‐lunchtime in high light intensity, long days
– do not bury (cultivate/ apply lime or manure) <5 days after treatment as shut out light =
no translocation
• Wind
– avoid application in conditions which facilitate drift
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Optimum use – application EMEA
Apply the right dose of glyphosate for the target weeds
• dose rate/ water volume: hydraulic, 80‐ 250 L/ha, CDA 10l/ha
⊕ lower water volumes = higher concentration = better performance
– low rates = low concentration of glyphosate/surfactant = poor
– high water volumes >250L/ha = low concentration = poor
⊕ care on application: calibration, medium‐coarse low drift nozzles (droplet size200 ‐
400 microns), spray pressure
• Special application techniques
– selective wipers: 1:1 to 1:20 dilutions
– injection, cut stump, painted: neat, 10‐20%
• Additives
– ideal @ 0.3‐0.5% surfactant v/v : decide if extra adjuvant needed, or higher
dose rate
– chose adjuvant by target
⊕ tallow‐amines best on grasses
⊕ Biactive surfactants best on broad leaved weeds or crops
⊕ Ammonium sulphate best for speed and enhanced activity
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Optimum use – water quality EMEA
Hard water
• Hard water can reduce the efficacy of glyphosate sprays by locking on to
the glyphosate, (chelating), thus reducing the effective dose rate.
• Hardness is measured as the total ppm of the positively charged ions
(cations), Calcium, Magnesium, Iron & Manganese
– Borehole & artesian wells may have naturally hard or very hard water.
• High water volumes and low dose rates are most affected.
pH has little effect
• Note: high pH may indicate hard water
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Optimum use – in practice EMEA
• balance the various factors, they won’t all be ideal!
• take care with rainfastness
– evening applications, dew falling
– broadleaved species, sub‐label; rates
• take care with weed control under stress
– product cannot overcome all ills
• maximise performance and efficiency of product use
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Roundup Label revision EMEA
General statement addressing good agricultural practices
Any weed population may contain plants more tolerant or naturally resistant to certain herbicides, which may lead to poor control using
those products. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup branded herbicides, is a Group G herbicide based on the mode of action
classification of the Herbicide Resistant Action Committee (HRAC). In general there is low risk for the development of weed resistance
to glyphosate and group G herbicides.
A strategy for preventing and managing herbicide resistance should be adopted based on local needs and integrated weed management.
This includes the proper use of herbicides, integrating different modes of action and/or using other cultural or mechanical practices:
follow label recommendations, particularly to ensure the treatment is made at the correct weed growth stage, under suitable climatic
conditions and at the correct dosage.
optimize the use of the range of agronomic tools which are part of normal crop or landscape management programs to manage weed
growth.
minimize the risk of spreading weed infestations. Ensure farm equipment is clean of soil and vegetation when moving between fields.
good spraying practice should always be followed to attain effective weed control:
spray equipment must be checked periodically (e.g. by authorized people).
dose and spray accurately – calibrate the sprayer and make the correct amount of spray mix for the area to be treated.
use the correct nozzles to maximize coverage of the weeds with minimum spray drift
apply only under appropriate weather conditions, e.g.
weeds are not stressed due to high temperatures, frost, drought or waterlogged.
no rain falls during application or within one hour after application.
suitable wind speed.
monitor the weed control during the cropping season to look out for potential problems.
Further information can be obtained from HRAC (http://www.hracglobal.com/ ), your distributor, your official extension service or your
local Monsanto representative.
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Roundup Label revision
Specific statement for countries with confirmed cases EMEA
of weed resistance
Glyphosate, the active substance in Roundup branded herbicides, belongs to HRAC Group G
(inhibition of the EPSPS synthase).
HRAC Group G resistant weed biotypes of (chose line as apropriate for country)
– Lolium rigidum in France
– Lolium rigidum in Italy
– Conyza bonariensis, Conyza canadensis, Conyza sumatrensis, Lolium multiflorum and
Lolium rigidum in Spain
– Lolium xxxxx in Portugal
– Lolium rigidum, Conyza bonariensis and Plantago lanceolata in South Africa
have been identified. Weed biotypes resistant to HRAC Group G herbicides should be
effectively managed utilizing another herbicide from a different Group, or by using other
cultural or mechanical practices. Since the occurrence of new glyphosate resistant weeds
cannot be determined until after product use and scientific confirmation, Monsanto is not
responsible for any losses that may result from the failure of this product to control
glyphosate resistant weed biotypes. Please consult your distributor, your official extension
service or your local Monsanto representative for further information.
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MINIMISING RISK OF NON‐TARGET
CONTAMINATION
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Sources of emissions to water EMEA
Source: http://glenbrookzerowaste.wordpress.com
35% diffuse sources 15%
~ 50% Point sources
~ 5% drift ; 30% run off unclear…
Can largely be avoided Can be reduced Difficult Source : www.topps‐life.org
to reduce

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Point Source Management EMEA
Transport
Key areas of focus are:
* handling of PPP and the spray equipment mainly before
Storage
and after spraying
* Spillage of PPP concentrate or dilute spray
(filling, transport, spraying, cleaning)
Spraying
* Management of residual spray solutions
(in field, on farm) and empty packages
Remnants
* Poor field practice, (eg over‐spraying ditches, wells)

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Point Source prevention EMEA
European Crop Protection Association TOPPS project
TRANSPORT ‐ STORAGE DURING SPRAYING
Transport
• Use unloading space adapted to retain spills • Do not spray directly on equipment
• Absorbing materials should be available (spills) • Do not spray when sprayer is stationairy
• Storage in locked, contained area • Stop immediately for leaks
Storage
BEFORE SPRAYING AFTER SPRAYING ‐ REMNANTS
Spraying • Plan M&L sites in advance • Dilute the remnant spray with water
•Disconnect water supply and spray solution and spray solution over the target area
•Avoid tank overflow (3x)
• Mix and load carefully • Use spray lance to clean spry
• fill in contained area (spill collection) equipment in field (vary location)
Remnants
• or vary locations in field • On farm, clean in area where washing
•Set‐up Sprayer correctly water is collected for treatment
•Check for leakage and proper functioning • After use park sprayer under roof to
• Plan safest way to get to field protect from rain
• Use authorized recycling schemes to
dispose empty packages

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Diffuse Sources EMEA
Key areas of focus are:
Spray drift Run off ‐ Erosion

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Managing Spray drift EMEA
•Hydraulic nozzles ‐ Air induction nozzles – End nozzles • Formulation composition may influence drift prone
(10‐ 50%) fraction but other factors are more important
• Drift control agents; first meters only; depends on nozzle
type
Dv0.5 values for Roundup with and without adjuvants
applied through a flat fan nozzle
400
• Spray pressure in middle of recommended range 350
300
250
•Lowering boom height (nozzle spacing and angle) : 200
150
100
50
Change in boom height Effect on drift Source
0
75 cm ‐ 50 cm ‐33% IMAG,DLO
Holterman and Van de
50 cm ‐ 30 cm ‐34% Zande,1996 Hewitt, 2004
•Air assisted sprayers for pre‐harvest use : (75 ‐95%) • Shielded Sprayers

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Run off EMEA
What?
* Run off is the water flow that occurs when soil is infiltrated to full capacity and excess water
from rain, meltwater, or other sources flows over the land. Can carry eroded soil particles
containing sorbed glyphosate.
* Major diffuse source
* Influencing factors : soil type – slope – tillage conditions (CT!) – drainage – application
timing – weather conditions ‐ land scape mitigation measures
Vegetated Buffers
* High infiltration capacity
* High macrofaunal activity
* Reduces water flow (sedimentation)
* High in organic matter : adsorption
* Efficiency influenced by:
• length and width of strip
• soil hydraulic properties
• age‐nature of vegetation
• soil type

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Summary EMEA
• Benefits: Glyphosate changed agriculture
• Good Agricultural Practice achieves the best for the user
– Achieves best weed control
– Is most cost‐effective
– Reduces non‐target contamination
• Good Agricultural Practice is the basis of the sustainable use
of Glyphosate
– Reduces the risk of restrictions of use
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Thank you for your attention EMEA
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