Dicamba residues in sprayers: Phytotoxicity on non-dicamba tolerant soybean

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the dicamba residue after cleanout procedures in sprayers with different tank materials (fiberglass and polyethylene) and its effects on the symptomology of non-dicamba tolerant (DT) soybean. The experiment consisted of spraying rinsates collected during a cleanout of boom sprayers on non-DT soybean at the V3 stage. Once the dicamba solution was mixed in the sprayer tank and sprayed, four rinses were made, and for each rinse, a sample was collected. The dicamba residue analyses in each rinse solution were conducted in a completely randomized design with three replicates in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to two sprayer tank materials (fiberglass and polyethylene) and four rinses, using High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC). The evaluation of the potential risk of injury on non-DT soybean caused by dicamba residue was conducted in a randomized block design with four replicates and a 2 × 4 + 1 factorial scheme, corresponding to two types of sprayer tank material (fiberglass and polyethylene), four rinses, and control (without application). The dicamba was effectively removed using at least three rinses regardless of spray tank material. Fiberglass tank sprayer retained more residue in the first rinsate, but similar to polyethylene tank sprayer in the following rinses. Plant height was reduced by spraying rinsates collected from the first rinse regardless of tank material. In contrast, visual estimation of injury and reduced yield were observed due to the rinsate application collected from the first and second rinses.