Spot On For Weed Control
02 Jun 09 10:00
Applying Proliance Quattro using the company’s computer controlled WeedIT spot sprayer, Ian claims he can typically treat over 12,000 metres of pavement per 100 litres of spray, compared to just 2500 metres with an overall spray. The WeedIT uses a series of sensors to identify green weed growth and automatically switch on individual spray nozzles to treat the specific area.
As a result, with just one machine he can quickly and efficiently maintain over 2,400km of pavements contracted by his local borough council and local authorities, along with hard landscaping around industrial sites and residential areas. “The technique has benefits in reduced chemical use, but more importantly, with the shrouded boom and full safety features, has a good public perception and confidence in the operation,” adds Mr Hayman.
He reports the results have been especially effective since switching to the fast acting glyphsate, Proliance Quattro, for total weed control. “The action is much quicker than some other glyphosates we have used in the past, and has appeared very reliable in all conditions, even in cooler conditions early in the season.
“It means that we can be confident in predicting effects will be seen within seven days. This is invaluable for local authorities, which can respond far quicker to requests from the public for action on vegetation problems,” he reports.
“Our experience is that Proliance Quattro is also more reliable and effective across a full spectrum of weeds, including some broadleaved species that have proven difficult to kill with other products,” adds Mr Hayman.
Covering the full weed spectrum has proven especially valuable for knapsack spraying around trees, lampposts and other obstacles, which can eliminate costly strimming and reduce grass cutting time and expense for local authorities.
Mr Hayman also welcomes the simplicity of Proliance Quattro use, which eliminates the need for additional adjuvant or complex tank-mixtures. “It means we can spend more time productively spraying, and avoids potential mistakes or errors when using multiple products; there’s clear transparency for our customers to see exactly what we have done.”
Syngenta Technical Manager, Dr Simon Watson, advises Proliance Quattro is formulated with a blend of surfactants and adjuvants that ensures consistently fast and effective performance even in hard water areas, where mineral ions can seriously compromise results with other glyphosate herbicides. “This makes Prolinace Quattro especially useful for companies using the product across the UK, where they can be confident it will always perform.
“The unique formulation is designed to increase retention of spray droplets on the leaf target, optimise coverage of the leaf surface, give fast uptake into the leaf to improve rainfastness and achieve rapid translocation through the weed – all of which help to ensure a complete kill,” he adds.
Clean Packaging For Fast Operation
Proliance Quattro is now available in the new Syngenta S-Pac, enabling faster operation and reducing any risk of environmental loss. The S-pac’s unique lids have eliminated the need for foil seals – making the containers quicker and easier to open and removing the hazardous waste stream that required a special disposal route. As a result, the S-pac is completely recyclable through and approved container recycling scheme.
Dr Simon Watson, highlights the S-pac has been designed with big grips to be easy to handle and pour wearing protective gloves. “The new design is more curvy and the handles are sealed off, plus it features a slippy internal liner so the containers can be quickly and efficiently rinsed clean.
“Delivering Proliance Quattro in the Syngenta S-pac fully meets local authority and amenity land managers’ Health & Safety objectives and demands to reduce waste.”