SureStart is a new premix being launched by Dow AgroSciences for early season weed control in field corn in programs where the application will be followed with a postemergence application of glyphosate or Liberty.
SureStart is Registered on Field Corn
Chris Boerboom, Ext. Weed Scientist
SureStart is a new premix being launched by Dow AgroSciences for early season weed control in field corn in programs where the application will be followed with a postemergence application of glyphosate or Liberty. SureStart is a 4.25 lb/gal suspo-emulsion with 3.75 lb/gal acetochlor, 0.12 lb/gal flumetsulam, and 0.29 lb ae/gal clopyralid. You will recognize acetochlor as Surpass and flumetsulam and clopyralid as the ingredients in Hornet. SureStart can be applied preplant, preplant incorporated, preemergence or early postemergence at rates from 1.5 to 2 pt/a. SureStart provides reduced rates compared to standard use rates of Surpass or Hornet (see table). Consequently, weed suppression or control will be less. Still this herbicide should reduce early season competition from a wide range of annual grass and broadleaf weeds.
In terms of comparing SureStart to other herbicides with the same ingredients, I decided to compare SureStart to Surpass and Hornet. Surpass allows a direct comparison, but the comparison to Hornet is slightly off because SureStart contains a slightly higher ratio of flumetsulam to clopyralid than found in Hornet. I could have compared SureStart to Stinger and Python, but more people are familiar with Hornet. In general, SureStart provides about 2 to 2.5 oz/a worth of Hornet. Overall, the equivalent rates of the Surpass and Hornet found in SureStart are about half of the typical use rates.
Rate comparison of SureStart to equivalent amounts found in Surpass and Hornet
|
SureStart |
Soil texture |
Amount of Surpass to equal acetochlor component |
Amount of Hornet to equal clopyralid component |
Amount of Hornet to equal flumetsulam component |
|
1.5 pt/a
|
Coarse |
14 oz/a |
1.7 oz/a |
2.0 oz/a |
|
1.75 pt/a
|
Medium
(1.5 – 1.75 pt/a) |
16 oz/a |
2.0 oz/a |
2.3 oz/a |
|
2.0 pt/a
|
Fine |
19 oz/a |
2.3 oz/a |
2.6 oz/a |
The use precautions for SureStart are very similar to those found on the Surpass and Hornet labels. Here are a few precautions of note.
1. SureStart is a restricted use pesticide.
2. Do not apply to sand with <3% organic matter; loamy sand with < 2% organic matter, sandy loam with <1% organic matter if depth to groundwater is 30 feet or less.
3. The minimum corn planting depth is 1.5 inches.
4. Crop injury may occur on soils with less than 1.5% organic matter.
5. Postemergence applications can be made to corn up to 11 inches tall. However, emerged grasses will not be controlled if SureStart is applied postemergence. A tank mix partner of glyphosate or Liberty is recommended to control emerged weeds. (Use on appropriate glyphosate-resistant or Liberty Link corn)
6. Corn, soybean, sorghum, and wheat are the only rotational crops. Wheat can be planted after 4 months, soybeans and sorghum in the following spring, and tobacco after 18 months.