Storage Limitation Statements: Temperature--Herbicides
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Storage Limitation Statements: Temperature--Herbicides

   

Storage Limitation Statements: Temperature--Herbicides1

Frederick M. Fishel2

This guide provides general temperature effects on storage properties of agricultural herbicides. A table is included which lists many of the common agricultural herbicides registered for use in Florida, with storage limitations statements.

Introduction

The effectiveness and usability of many pesticides is influenced by the temperature at which they were held in storage. Most labels of liquid pesticides that contain specific information on adequate storage temperatures for their products will generally state a temperature in the 40 to 100° F range. For most of Florida, freezing is not a normal concern with pesticide storage, but extreme heat is a factor for the entire state.

Freezing temperatures can render a liquid-formulated pesticide useless by causing the active ingredients to separate from its solvents, emulsifiers, and other inert ingredients. The result may be either crystallization or coagulation of the formulation. Some products may be thawed and reused after adequate agitation - their labels will specifically state if this is the case. Because of the ingredients in the formulation, the freezing point of many products may be lower than 32° F.

Heat is the major concern in Florida regarding pesticide storage problems. Heat can cause some pesticides to volatilize and drift from their containers, especially if containers are not adequately sealed. Flammability is a problem with some pesticides in the presence of heat and/or open flame. It is discussed in more detail in UF/IFAS EDIS document PI-97, Pesticide Labeling: Physical or Chemical Hazards (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PI134) .

Containers may be damaged by either temperature extreme. The integrity of the container may be destroyed by freezing temperatures that cause glass, metal, and plastic materials to break. Alternatively, high temperatures can cause plastic containers to melt and glass to explode. The liquid pesticide contents in metal drums can cause expansion and eventual rupturing ( Figure 1 ).
Figure 1. Pesticide drum bulging from extreme heat.

Generally, dry pesticide formulations are not adversely affected by temperature extremes. Their effectiveness is most often reduced by the presence of moisture in storage. These products have a high affinity for water and once absorbed, may solidify into hard masses (tombstone formation). The packaging that surrounds dry products formulated as water-soluble packets can become brittle after taking on moisture; and if freezing occurs, they can break when handled.

To learn of storage temperature limitations for individual products, consult the "Storage and Disposal" section of the pesticides label (e.g., Figure 2 ). Many products will have specific temperature limitations mentioned in this section; others may be more general. If you have questions regarding these limitations, consult the products manufacturer.
Figure 2. The Storage and Disposal section of the label often contains specific temperature information.

General information on storage and disposal language that is found on pesticide labels is discussed in UF/IFAS EDIS document PI-106, Pesticide Labeling: Storage and Disposal (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PI143 ).

Table 1 provides a listing of many commonly-used agricultural herbicides registered for use in Florida. They are listed alphabetically by active ingredient common name (center column) with their trade names and any storage limitation statements that may be listed in their Storage and Disposal directions. Not every herbicide common active ingredient and/or their associated trade products list storage limitations within their storage statements.

Additional Information

Tables

Table 1. Storage precaution statements for commonly-used agricultural herbicides.

Trade name*


 Common name

Label statements
Hardball®

Helena 2010®

Unison®


 2,4-D


 Do not store below temperature of 0° F. If frozen, warm to 40° F and re-dissolve before using by rolling or shaking container.
Weedar®


 Store at temperature above 32° F. If allowed to freeze, warm to at least 40° F and remix before using. Freezing does not alter this product.
Weedone 650®


 Do not store near heat or open flame.
Milestone®


 Aminopyralid


 If this product is exposed to subfreezing temperatures, the active ingredient may crystallize and settle out of solutions. Under these conditions the product should be warmed to at least 40° F and agitated well to dissolve any crystallized active ingredient prior to use.
Asulam 3.3®

Asulam Herbicide®

Asulox®


 Asulam


 Store at temperatures greater than 20° F.
Aatrex Nine-0®

Atrazine 90DF®


 Atrazine


 Store in a dry place.
Atrazine 4L®


 Containers must be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Agri-Star®

Atrazine 4F®


 Do not store near heat or open flame.
Atrazine 90WDG®


 Store in cool, dry place.
Balan DF®


 Benefin


 Do not store in direct sunlight. If stored above 120° F, Balan DF could lose some of its dispersing properties, resulting in difficult application, poor weed control, or crop injury.
Londax®


 Bensulfuron-methyl


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Buctril®

Moxy 2E®


 Bromoxynil


 Store at temperatures above 3° F. If allowed to freeze, remix before using.
Aim®

Quicksilver®


 Carfentrazone-ethyl


 Store in a cool, dry place and avoid excess heat.
Classic®


 Chlorimuron ethyl


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Arrow®

Envoy®

Section®

Select®

Trigger®

Volunteer®


 Clethodim


 Store in cool, dry place.
Command®


 Clomazone


 Store above -4° F to keep product from freezing. If frozen, thaw before use.
Casoron®


 Dichlobenil


 Store in a dry location.
Hoelon®

Illoxan®


 Diclofop-methyl


 Do not use or store near heat or open flame. Do not store below 20° F.
Reglone®

Reward®

Weedtrine®


 Diquat dibromide


 Store at temperatures above 32° F.
Dimension EC®


 Dithiopyr


 Store this product above 32° F to avoid crystallization. If crystals form or product freezes, move product to area with ambient temperature above 32° F and shake well until crystals have dissolved.
Dimension Ultra 2SC® and 40WP®


 Store this product above 32° F.
Diuron 4L®, 4L® IVM®, 80®, 80 DF IVM®


 Diuron


 Storage should be in a cool, dry area away from any heat or ignition source. Avoid storage at high temperatures.
Eptam 20-G®

Eptam 7-E®, Eradicane 6.7-E®


 EPTC


 Store in a cool, dry place.

Can be stored at temperatures as low as minus 50° F.
Curbit®

Sonalan HFP®


 Ethalfluralin


 Avoid freezing. Store above 40° F. If frozen, poor weed control may result. Do not use or store near heat or open flame.


Sonalan 10G®


 Avoid freezing - store above 40° F.
Resource®


 Flumiclorac-pentyl


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Broadstar®

Chateau®

Payload®

Sureguard®

Valor®


 Flumioxazin


 Store in a cool, dry, secure place.
Fluometuron 4L®


 Fluometuron


 Store in a dry location.
Spotlight®

Vista®


 Fluroxypyr 1-methylheptyl ester


 Store above 10° F or warm and agitate before use.
Finale®


 Glufosinate-ammonium


 Do not use or store near heat or open flame.
Ignite®

Ignite 280 SL®


 Do not use or store near heat or open flame. Keep the container tightly closed and dry in a cool, well-ventilated place. Storage temperature should not exceed 125° F. If storage temperature for bulk Ignite Herbicide is below 32° F, the material should not be pumped until its temperature exceeds 32° F. Protect against direct sunlight.
Extra Credit 5®


 Glyphosate


 Store above 10° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room 68° F for several days to redissolve and shake or roll to mix well before using.


Recoil®


 Do not store near heat or open flame.
Credit Duo Extra®


 Glyphosate, ammonium salt


 Store above 10° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room 68° F for several days to redissolve and shake or roll to mix well before using.
Accord Concentrate®

Glypro®

Rodeo®


 Glyphosate, isopropylamine salt


 Store above 10° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room 68° F for several days to redissolve and roll or shake container or recircluate in mini-bulk containers to mix well before using.

Store above 5° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room 68° F for several days to redissolve and roll or shake container or recircluate in mini-bulk containers to mix well before using.
Aqua Star®


 Store above 10° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If crystals form, allow product to warm above 50° F and mix well or recirculate to redissolve.
Aquamaster®


 Store above 5° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room 68° F for several days to redissolve and roll or shake container or recirculate in mini-bulk containers to mix well before using.
Cornerstone®

Cornerstone Plus®


 Store above 10° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room 68° F for several days to redissolve and shake or roll to mix well before using.
Glyfos Aquatic®


 Store above 10° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room 68° F for several days to allow crystals to redissolve, then shake well before using.
Rascal®

Rascal Plus®


 Store above 10° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room 68° F for several days to redissolve and roll or shake container or recirculate in mini-bulk or bulk container to mix well before using.
Razor®

Razor Pro®


 Store above 10° F to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room 68° F for several days to redissolve and shake, roll or agitate to mix well before using.
Velpar®


 Hexazinone


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Cadre®

Plateau®


 Imazapic


 Keep from freezing. Do not store below 20° F.
Cadre DF®


 Store product in a cool, dry place. Do not store this product under wet conditions.
Arsenal®

Chopper®

Habitat®

Polaris®

Stalker®


 Imazapyr


 Do not store below 10° F.


Scepter®


 Imazaquin


 Keep from freezing. Do not store below 32° F.
Pursuit®


 Imazethapyr


 Keep from freezing. Do not store below 32° F.
Gallery®


 Isoxaben


 Do not store in direct sunlight. Do not store at temperatures above 120° F.
Cobra®

Phoenix®


 Lactofen


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Linex®

Lorox®


 Linuron


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Tenkoz MCPA Amine 4®


 MCPA


 Store in a dry location. Do not store below 40° F or expose to subfreezing temperatures.
Tenkoz MCPA Ester 4®


 Store in a dry location.
Sencor 4F®

Sencor 75®

Sencor DF®


 Metribuzin


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Ally XP®

Escort XP®

Metsulfuron 60EG AG®

Metsulfuron 60EG IVM®

Purestand®


 Metsulfuron-methyl


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Drexel MSMA-6 Plus®

Prokoz Turf Max MSMA 6+®

Prokoz Turf Max MSMA 6.6®


 Monosodium acid methanearsonate (MSMA)


 Storage should be in a cool, dry area away from any heat or ignition source. High heat may form volatile arsenic compounds.
Devrinol 10-G®

Devrinol 2-G Ornamental®

Devrinol 50-DF®

Devrinol 50-DF Ornamental®


 Napropamide


 Store in a cool dry place.
Devrinol 2-EC®


 Store in a cool dry place. Do not store below 20° F.
Accent®


 Nicosulfuron


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Galigan 2E®

Goal 2XL®

GoalTender®

OxiFlo 2EC®


 Oxyfluorfen


 Keep from freezing. Store above 32° F.
Firestorm®

Gramoxone Inteon®

Gramoxone Super Tres®


 Paraquat dichloride


 Store at temperatures above 32° F.
Acumen®

Helena Pendimethalin®

Pendant®

Pendimax®

Pendulum 3.3®

Prowl 3.3 EC®

Stealth®


 Pendimethalin


 Do not store below 40° F. Extended storage at temperatures below 40° F can result in the formation of crystals on the bottom of the container. If crystallization does occur, store the container on its side at room temperature (70° F) and rock occasionally until crystals re-dissolve.
Pendulum AquaCap®


 Do not store below 15° F. Extended storage at temperatures below 15° F can result in the formation of crystals on the bottom of the container. If crystallization does occur, store the container on its side at room temperature (70° F) and rock occasionally until crystals re-dissolve.
Pendulum 2G®

Pendulum WDG®


 Do not store above 120° F. Store in a cool, dry place.
Prowl H2O®


 Prowl H2O herbicide freezes around 15° F and is stable under conditions of freezing and thawing. Product that has been frozen should be thawed and recirculated prior to use.
Pramitol 25E®

Pramitol 4SC®

Sonora 4SC®


 Prometon


 Store at temperatures above 32° F.
Caparol 4L®

Prometryne 4L® (Agrilliance)


 Prometryne


 Store in a dry place.
Prometryne 4L® (UAP-Loveland)


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Stam 4E®

Stam 4SC®

Stam M4®


 Propanil


 Ground all metal containers when transferring product. Protect from freezing. If stored below 32° F and crystals form, warm to 72° F for 24 hours, periodically shaking or rolling container to reconstitute.
Stam 80 EDF®


 Do not use, pour, spill, or store near heat or open flame.
Super Wham! ®


 Store at temperature above 32° F. If product is allowed to freeze, warm to 50° F and agitate before using.
Drive®


 Quinclorac


 Do not store box under dampness or high humidity.
Gowan Targa®


 Quizalofop-p-ethyl


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Matrix®


 Rimsulfuron


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Poast®

Poast Plus®

Sethoxydim G-Pro®


 Sethoxydim


 Do not store below 32° F or above 100° F. Store in a dry place away from heat or open flame.
Rezult G®


 Do not allow this product to freeze.
Sentry Simazine 90 DF®

Agrisolutions Simazine 4L®

Princep Caliber 90®

Sim-Trol 90DF®


 Simazine


 Store in a dry place.
Drexel Simazine 4L®

Drexel Simazine 90DF®


 Store in a cool, dry area away from any heat or ignition source.
Clean Crop Simazine 4L®

Clean Crop Simazine 90 WDG®

Agrisolutions Simazine 90 DF®

Sim-Trol 4L®


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Ultra Blazer®


 Sodium salt of acifluorfen


 Do not store below 32° F.
Basagran®


 Sodium salt of bentazon


 Do not store at less than 32° F and do not allow product to freeze.
Basagran T/O®

Rezult B®


 Do not allow this product to freeze.
Oust XP®


 Sulfometuron methyl


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Sinbar®


 Terbacil


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Mandate®


 Thiazopyr


 Store this product under dry conditions (between 14° F and and 104° F). If crystals develop, place in a warm area (40° F) until crystals redissolve.
Harmony GT XP®


 Thifensulfuron-methyl


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Bolero®


 Thiobencarb


 Store in cool, dry place. Protect from excessive heat.
Express XP®


 Tribenuron methyl


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Forestry Garlon®

Garlon 3A®

Tahoe®

Turflon II®


 Triclopyr


 Store above 28° F or agitate before use.
Grandstand®


 Store above 28° F or agitate before use. Do not store near heat or open flame.
Monument®


 Trifloxysulfuron-sodium


 Store in a cool, dry place.
Treflan TR-10®

Trifluralin 10G®

Trust 10G®


 Trifluralin


 This product may be stored in unheated warehouses.
Treflan 4EC®

Treflan 4L®

Treflan HFP®

Trifluralin 4EC ® (several manufacturers)

Trifluralin HF®

Cornbelt Trifluralin®

Royster Clark Trifluralin HFP4®

Trilin®

Trust Herbicide®


 Avoid freezing. Store above 40° F. If frozen, poor weed control may result. Do not store near heat or flame.
*Does not include pre-packaged herbicide mixtures.

Footnotes

1. This document is PI-123, one of a series of the Pesticide Information Office, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date June 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Frederick M. Fishel, associate professor, Agronomy Department, and Director, Pesticide Information Office; Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. Use herbicides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.


Copyright Information

This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.