MANA introduces five new soybean herbicides

Makhteshim Agan’s US-based subsidiary MANA announced its launch of five new soybean weed control tools: Rumble™, Tailwind™, Torment™, Vise™ and Outflank™ herbicides. Each product encompasses superior efficacy against tough-to-control grass and broadleaf weeds using advanced technology to expand performance of "gold star” conventional active ingredients.

The new MANA lineup touts resistance management attributes for improved weed control with emphasis on glyphosate-, HPPD-, triazine- and ALS-resistant weed species.

"With EPA approval granted in time for the 2013 season, soybean growers will have more options for comprehensive resistance management strategies,” said Dave Downing, MANA brand leader. “Our latest entries offer differentiating performance qualities that target problem weeds and allow growers to be more successful when combatting existing resistance issues, or to help them get ahead of resistance before it shows up.”

Growers are on high alert for weed resistance in many soybean growing regions, and university researchers are encouraging grower adoption of herbicides with different modes of action versus continued use of contemporary market standards. Downing says the MANA resistance management weed control portfolio comes at just the right time, with proven active ingredients that host multiple modes of action plus residual activity in highly compatible formulations.

New MANA soybean herbicide lineup

Torment herbicide offers the first residual weed control of its kind combining two popular active ingredients (fomesafen and imazethapyr) for control of 65 grasses and broadleaves, including those resistant to glyphosate, and HPPD and triazine inhibitors. Torment provides up to 45 days of residual activity and can be used as a pre-emergent or early post-emergent application. It also has excellent compatibility with glyphosate for post-emergent applications.

Rumble herbicide is a pre-emergent and post-emergent residual tool that targets glyphosate- and ALS-resistant weeds including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and common ragweed. Hosting a highly popular active ingredient (fomesafen), this premium formulation delivers seamless compatibility with glyphosate and paraquat-based products.

Tailwind herbicide is a pre-emergent weed control tool that delivers two modes of action (metolachlor plus metribuzin) for early-season control of 40 grasses and broadleaves, including species susceptible to ALS and glyphosate resistance. Tailwind is compatible with premium formulations of glyphosate and paraquat, and it provides rotational flexibility with common row crops without carryover concerns. Additionally, potatoes are included on the Tailwind 2013 label.

Vise herbicide is the only alternative premix of metolachlor plus fomesafen that is uniquely compatible with premium formulations of glyphosate- and paraquat-based products. With dual modes of action and up to 45 days of residual control, it’s a perfect early-season foundational tool. It’s also a solid fit for a glyphosate post-sequential program. Vise has superior waterhemp control and mitigates extensive weed management if used early. It is crop-safe and allows for flexibility when used in rotation with common row crops. Cotton is also included on the Vise 2013 label.

Outflank herbicide, powered by the active ingredient flumioxazin, provides broad-spectrum residual control of tough weeds in soybeans, cotton, field corn and many other crops. Early-season applications of Outflank manage ALS-, SU- and glyphosate-resistant weeds while offering excellent crop safety and rotational flexibility to common follow-crops.

MANA sets higher standards for performance

Popular active ingredients of the past are what Downing believes set the bar for herbicide performance and reliability within the crop protection industry.

"Today, MANA is well-equipped to leverage existing chemistries with the introduction of more advanced formulations as well as mixture concepts,” he said. “With formulation technology a top priority, growers can expect to see more products coming down the pipeline from proven active ingredients, and with more sophisticated improvements in efficacy, handling, convenience and safety.”

Downing stated that glyphosate could be viable for years to come if the industry reinforces the importance for growers to incorporate multiple modes of action with residual activity into their weed control programs before resistance strikes.

"The older gold standard chemistries are the new front-runners for superior weed control. They’ve come back into play with varying modes of action and residual performance, which are primary requirements when battling resistance head-on,” said Downing.

Specific to performance for new Torment, Rumble, Tailwind, Vise and Outflank herbicides, Downing reports that all five products performed extremely well in soybean field trials in 2012, even under extreme drought-like conditions. In regards to university recommendations for 2013, he says the new MANA herbicides will meet resistance management specifications by helping growers stay one step ahead of this major industry challenge.

 “At MANA, we share a passion for discovering new approaches that help shape the future of agriculture while creating greater value and profitability for our customers,” Downing said. “We know that new innovations are what help growers face the challenges in protecting crops from weeds, insects and diseases while achieving quality yields in a sustainable and economical way.”