Bayer CropScience Rely 280 Herbicide approved for immediate non-closed application system use in California

California growers now can apply Rely® 280 herbicide without being required to use a closed mixing and loading system. A revised label has been approved by the the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

Rely 280 herbicide is a post-emergent burndown herbicide that provides rapid control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. In California, Rely 280 is labeled on horticultural crops including vines, tree nuts, berries, stone and pome fruit, citrus and olives. The Rely 280 herbicide formulation enables immediate burndown weed protection that includes a surfactant for faster, more effective control of resistant and problematic weeds.

 

Rely 280 is non-translocating, has low volatilization and can be applied as a broadcast, banded or spot treatment. With low use rates and a unique site of action, the herbicide is an ideal component in an effective integrated weed management program.

 

“Bayer and our agricultural stakeholders worked together to vigorously defend the sound science of our testing to remove the closed system application requirement and advocated for revisions to the rule. As a result, growers will continue to have the freedom to access and flexibility to use the most robust herbicide formulation in the grape and tree nut market versus generic alternatives with no closed system requirement,” says Nevada Smith, Bayer horticulture product manager. “It is particularly advantageous in cropping systems where resistance is an issue.”

 

Rely 280 is a unique non-selective herbicide that effectively kills resistant and tough-to-control weeds such as Palmer amaranth, giant ragweed, marestail, waterhemp and kochia. It is also effective on most grasses and can be applied year-round on permanent crops.

 

Replicated trials comparing Rely 280 to generic alternatives with the same active ingredient have shown that the superior formulation of Rely improves weed control by up to 20 percent. “One of the key advantages to Rely is the surfactant package included in the product,” Smith says. “It’s an effective, convenient solution to tough weed problems in a wide array of crops.”

 

In addition to the immediate burndown activity of Rely, the herbicide is often used in combination with Alion® herbicide for up to six months of residual pre-emergence weed control. “As resistant weed species increase in scope and severity, it becomes increasingly important to have a solid integrated weed management program in place,” Smith says. “Rely and Alion are uniquely positioned to give growers the tools to combat tough weed problems.”

 

New inventory of Rely 280 herbicide, which will carry the revised labeling allowing product to be used without the closed mixing/loading system requirements, will be available in the marketplace by April. Growers with existing inventory are not required to use a closed mixing/loading system as long as they have a stamped copy of the new label (paper or electronic) in their possession at the application site at the time of application. This is being communicated by CDPR to all the County Agricultural Commissioners.