Ordered Imox from Keystone for clover/chicory plot. Mixing rate is 4-6 ounces on clover and 4 ounces on chicory. I'm not sure if the chicory rate is for a pure or predominate stand of chicory which my plot is not. Should I spray at the chicory rate or the clover rate? I am seeing guys dissapointed with Imox so I would like to hear some success stories. I'm aware of all the variables involved, i.e. grass/weed height, weather etc. that may have been a factor on some of these plots that failed. I mowed on a few days ago and rain is in the forecast. My plan is to get my plot sprayed on Monday, the day before it is supposed to rain.
I think glyphosate has spoiled us. Mix it strong. Apply it. Watch plants die. Ok, so that theme is coming unraveled. I suppose this will sound like a lecture. So be it. Herbicides formulated to control specific weeds in specific crops need to be understood. You need to know what weeds you have, what herbicides work, what rates to use, the timing of the application, how much water to use and what spray pattern works. Here, we mostly spray and hope. IMOX suffers from this hope.
You say you are aware of the variables but in the next sentence you violate one of the basic rules. You mowed? If you are mowing then the plant mass must be large. A Large plant mass means a below ground (where else would they be) root mass 2X to 4X the size of the above ground part of the plant. How are you going to get enough IMOX into the roots if there's no leaf surface? IMOX does have soil residual, but that will only stop new plants from germinating.
When a label says spray before the weeds get 3 or 4 inches tall, it means new germinating plants. New germinating plants have a leaf surface disproportionately large in comparison to new root growth.
I guess the expectation is that herbicides kill weeds. Brown and shriveled weedswith the desirable plants lush and green. Doesn't work that way with a lot of herbicides, IMOX included. These are growth regulators. What they do is slow the growth of the undesirable while the rest of the crop continues its development unaffected.
I've used IMOX in a bad situation. I had old clover about to be choked by fescue, curl dock, and nutsedge. If I lost the clover, no big deal. It was July, I used 8 oz of IMOX and crop oil at 1%. (Use the right surfactant noted on the label. There is a difference).
The targets were controlled (controlled) and the clover rebounded nicely. I think the clover eventually just was able to out complete the grasses and other weeds.
And chicory? I can't imagine it surviving a decent dose of IMOX. I'm curious enough to read the label.
My only disappointment was the lack of residual control. My conclusion about that is water. The active ingredient in IMOX is very water soluble. It's used in ponds safely and effectively. It does it job and breaks down into harmless particles.
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And now the rest of the story:
https://www.keystonepestsolutions.c...e-ai-replaces-raptor-clearcast-and-beyond-901
Imox is an excellent choice for the serious Wildlife Food Plot grower who is looking for a single application for weed control. It is safe on Alfalfa, Clover, and usually on Chickory. For use in chicory, apply early post-emergence when weeds are actively growing and when chicory has at least 2, and no more than 4, fully expanded true leaves present. DO NOT apply to chicory subjected to stress conditions, such as hail damage, flooding, drought, injury from other herbicides, or widely fluctuating temperatures, or crop injury may result. Addition of nitrogen fertilizer (Nitro-Surf) may improve weed control but also increases the likelihood of injury to chicory. For more detailed information on what Imazamox will control, reference the Raptor label. Also, please note that the recommended weed size for spraying is 3-4 inches. As the weeds get larger, effectiveness can diminish