Name: EURO-LIGHTNING ®
Formulation: Water-soluble concentrate (WSC)
Active ingredients: 33 g/l Imazamox +; 15 g/l Imazapyr
Mode of action
The product inhibits the enzyme acetolactate synthase (ALS). This enzyme is present only in plants and bacteria, but not in animals. ALS is a catalyst for the biosynthesis of amino acids: valine, leucine, and isoleucine.
Inhibition of ALS formation blocks the formation of these amino acids and protein synthesis, which, in turn, leads to the death of weed plants.
Crops: Sunflower
Application timing
According to weed growth stages:
Euro-Lightning® should be applied during the active growth stage of weeds. Broadleaf weeds should not exceed the 6-leaf stage (white goosefoot — 4-leaf stage), and grasses — 4-leaf stage.
In cases of high ragweed infestation, the recommended stage is up to 4 true leaves of the weed. In addition to emerged weeds at the time of application, Euro-Lightning® also suppresses germinating weeds upon contact with the soil.
At the above-mentioned weed growth stages, sunflower is typically in the 2-6 true leaf stage. Application is not recommended before the crop reaches the 2-leaf stage.
In case of problems with foxtail:
Since foxtail begins parasitizing sunflower relatively late, for effective control, the herbicide Euro-Lightning® should be applied at the 8-10 leaf stage of the crop. In this case, there may be a slight reduction in efficacy against overgrown weeds, but it ensures reliable protection against foxtail damage to sunflower plants.
Euro-Lightning® herbicide should only be used on Clearfield® branded sunflower hybrids.
Resistance
In addition to Euro-Lightning®, ALS inhibitors also include sulfonylureas. Continuous use of these herbicides has led to the emergence of some resistant weed species (primarily in the USA).
Seventy-nine weed species worldwide are considered resistant to ALS inhibitors. The emergence of resistant weed species can be prevented or significantly delayed by following the following weed management recommendations:
Apply herbicides on crops following the crop rotation, where at least one herbicide's active ingredient is not an ALS inhibitor (e.g., DIANA® or CERTO® PLUS);
Destroy weeds in crop rotation (before or after sunflower) using herbicides that are not ALS inhibitors.
Crop rotation restrictions
If insufficient rainfall occurs between herbicide application and sowing the next crop, herbicide degradation in the soil may be incomplete. If rainfall is insufficient for crop growth, it will also be insufficient for microbial degradation of Euro-Lightning®.
Prolonged abnormally low temperatures may also slow down the degradation of these herbicides and increase the risk for the next sensitive crop in the rotation. Therefore, it is very important to consider the crop rotation restrictions after applying Euro-Lightning® herbicide.
Crop rotation flexibility
No restrictions for sunflower varieties and hybrids resistant to imidazolinones.
Method of application
Only ground application. Aerial application is not registered and not recommended. During application, avoid overlapping spray bands.
Amount of working liquid
200-400 liters per hectare. The sprayer must be calibrated for uniform application. When applying the product on minimum or no-till planting systems, the water volume should be at least 250 liters per hectare. The amount of working liquid should be increased when the crop density is high and/or when there is a large amount of plant residue on the soil.
Tank mixtures
Mixing with other herbicides is not advisable (highly effective product) and not recommended.
Resistance to runoff
Resistant to runoff for one hour after spraying.
Herbicide degradation
Degradation in soil, primarily microbial, to a lesser extent under anaerobic conditions.
Control of foxtail
For effective eradication of foxtail in Clearfield® sunflower crops, do not use pure sulfonylureas in subsequent crops. Mixtures with dicamba, 2,4-D, or dicamba and 2,4-D based products in pure form should be used.
Factors affecting Euro-Lightning® residual effect
Any factor affecting microbial activity also affects the degree of Euro-Lightning® degradation.
Soil factors: type, structure, moisture, temperature, pH. Degradation is slower on heavy soils than on light soils. Sufficient rainfall from the time of application until the next crop is sown in rotation enhances microbial degradation of the active ingredient. Degradation of Euro-Lightning® is enhanced when the moisture content is close to the soil’s maximum water holding capacity.
Cold weather conditions during vegetation slow down microbial activity, consequently reducing microbial degradation.
Euro-Lightning® degrades at temperatures above 10°C, and degradation of the active ingredient accelerates with increasing temperature.
The residual effect of Euro-Lightning® increases with decreasing soil pH. The lower the pH, the higher the risk of residual effect.
