New tank mix technology tested for weed control and application longevity

A new tank mix additive is being adopted by some Midwest growers who report improved crop protection performance and longer residual activity in field applications.

Dave Geils, a row crop farmer near Harvard, Illinois, said he began testing the product, SATCHUR8, three years ago on a limited basis before expanding its use across his operation. Geils farms several thousand acres of corn, soybeans and wheat in Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

“The first year was on a trial basis,” Geils said. “We tried it on a limited basis the first year and it worked.”

Since then, Geils said the additive has been included in applications ranging from pre-emerge herbicides to in-season fungicides. He said the product has helped extend the effectiveness of crop protection inputs already in use.

SATCHUR8 is developed by Planet Earth Agronomy, an agronomic consulting and product development company with operations in Wisconsin and Nebraska. Founder and CEO Larry Fiene said the technology originated in the human health sector, where it has been used to help attach treatments to targeted areas.

Fiene said the product works through microscopic filaments that adhere to plant surfaces, helping retain active ingredients for longer periods. This, he said, may reduce wash-off and evaporation, allowing pesticides to remain effective longer.

In field observations and side-by-side trials, Fiene said the additive extended residual weed control by four to six weeks compared with standard herbicide applications. He also said it may improve performance of contact herbicides, fungicides and insecticides.

Jim Webb, a crop advisor with Conserv FS in northern Illinois, said he has observed improved weed control in fields where the additive was used, particularly in managing waterhemp.

“We’ve been struggling with herbicides on waterhemp,” Webb said. “SATCHUR8 helps our pre-emerge applications work longer, and it helped our post-emerge to actually kill weeds in tougher conditions.”

Webb said he has seen higher control rates in some cases when the additive is included, along with faster visible results from contact herbicides.

Geils said he has also observed extended effectiveness in fungicide applications, noting that treatment windows appear to last longer under field conditions.

While the product is being adopted on some operations, its performance may vary depending on environmental conditions, crop type and application practices.

For more information, see a representative or visit www.planetearthagronomy.com.