Two New Weed Control Materials
(Sandea and Strategy) Recently Labeled for Use by Oklahoma Cucurbit Producers

By Lynn Brandenberger and Jim Shrefler,
Extension Horticulturists, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Summary:

• Sandea and Strategy labeled for weed control on cucurbit crops
• Read and follow label when using any pesticide
• Never use non-labeled pesticides on crops
  • Non-labeled use is in direct violation of federal law
  • Non-labeled use can lead to loss of labeled products

Both Sandea and Strategy should go a long way in providing commercial cucurbit producers with some much needed new technology for controlling weeds in this crop group. Before using these new products, commercial producers should make certain that they attain, read, and carefully follow all label instructions. In general, much of the new herbicide chemistry is very active. In the past, pounds of material per acre were used, but new materials require only ounces of material; therefore, small mistakes in application, use, and plant-back waiting periods can result in much more serious problems in the field, compared to the past.

The other issue that only producers have control over is that of using non-labeled products with the same active ingredients; this practice can have serious consequences. Using non-labeled products is in direct violation of federal law. Using non-labeled products cheats companies, which have invested much time, money, and resources in the development and labeling of new products, from realizing the needed monetary returns from that product. Although it may save money in the short run, in the long run everyone loses, because companies will either reduce their efforts to label new materials for use on vegetable crops or will eliminate labeled products that are sorely needed. These new products have taken years to develop, and it behooves all of us involved, i.e., producers, land-grant universities, USDA, and the ag-chemical companies to encourage each other to use the products wisely and according to the label.

Sandea was developed by Gowan Company for use in commercial cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelons, and has control activity on several broadleaf weeds and yellow and purple nutsedge. Sandea will primarily be used as a pre-emergence application, but it can also be applied to row middles, particularly for watermelon as a post-emergence application, as long as it doesn’t come into contact with the crop.

Strategy is a pre-emergence herbicide developed by Platte Chemical for use in commercial cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squash, and watermelons, and has broad-spectrum control activity on a number of broadleaf and grassy weeds.