Influence of Rainfall on the Phytotoxicity of Foliarly Applied 2,4-D

To study rainfall effects, simulated rainfall was applied to velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), wild mustard [Brassica kaber (DC.) L. C. Wheeler var. pinnatifida (Stokes) L. C. Wheeler], soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Hodgson’], and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) in greenhouse and field studies following foliar applications of the alkanolamine (AKA) salt or the butoxyethanol (BE) ester of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] at rates that induced equivalent levels of phytotoxicity. Simulated rainfall less than 1 min after herbicide treatment reduced the phytotoxicity of the AKA salt of 2,4-D to a much greater extent than that of the BE ester with effects ranging from elimination of all injury from the AKA salt to soybeans to no reduction in phytotoxicity of the BE ester to common lambsquarters. The quantity of simulated rainfall required to induce maximum reductions in phytotoxicity of the BE ester ranged from 1 mm on common lambsquarters to 15 mm on velvetleaf. The time interval from 2,4-D treatment until rainfall required to achieve a phytotoxic response level of 80% of that attained without rainfall varied greatly among plant species and herbicide formulations; ranging from less than 1 min for the BE ester on common lambsquarters to more than 24 h for the AKA salt on velvetleaf. The addition of an alkylarylpolyoxyethylene glycol surfactant to 2,4-D spray solutions reduced herbicide rates required to induce equivalent levels of phytotoxicity, increased losses in phytotoxicity of the BE ester caused by rainfall, and reduced the time interval from treatment to rainfall required to attain an equivalent level of phytotoxicity with the AKA salt.