Vol. 51—1997 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

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122
W VOLUMEWEED AND BRUSH APPLICATIONS
WITH THE THINVERT® SYSTEM
R. R. Johnson and J. E. Waldrum 1
ABSTRACT
The Thinvert Application System utilizes the combination of a thin invert
emulsion with a unique new nozzle design to produce small uniform droplets of
pesticid sprays. These small uniform droplets permit the accurate
applicat'on of herbicides to control many invasive, exotic plant species with
little or no exposure to desirable vegetation in natural plant areas, wildlife
habitat, environmentally sensitive areas, or landscaped areas. Various
availab e nozzle configurations will apply spray patterns as narrow as two to
three i ches or as wide as 20 feet, at total spray volumes of 3 to 5 gallons
per acr These low volumes allow vegetation managers, wildlife managers, or
landsca ers to apply herbicide sprays extensively and economically using
backpac sprayers, ATV's equipped with small electric spray units, or with
other v hicles that produce minimum physical disturbance to the spray site.
Si ce numerous herbicides and herbicide combinations are available which
will co trol many undesirable invasive exotic plant species, an application
techniq e which will control these exotics with low impact application
equipme t, accurate placement, and control of spray drift and evaporation can
be a va uable environmental management tool. Beginning in 1991, applications
of appr priate herbicides were made to non-native plant species to determine
whether applications of these herbicides using the Thinvert Application System
would p ovide control of problem non-native species, and to observe effects on
non-tar et vegetation. Since product labels may provide rate per acre or
spray c ncentration recommendations, efforts were made to reproduce the rate
per acr recommendations. Because Thinvert applications apply less total
spray v lume, spray concentration recommendations were increased about threemaintain
suggested herbicide rates per fold to
acre.
herbici
Thinver
approxi
control
applica
1.
T
hIe 1 indicates the plant species which were treated and the
es which were used to control each species. All treatments used
spray nozzles and used Thinvert thin invert emulsion as a carrier at
ately 4 gallA total spray volume. Herbicides listed gave effective
of the plants listed at rates recommended with conventional
ion methods
Specialties, Inc., Doylestown, PA