What's your Goal? Using Goal 2XL herbicide to control weeds on strawberries

Pre-mulching is an important window for weed control in strawberries. Strawberry plants are more tolerant to herbicides as they become dormant. Goal 2XL can be safely used only when plants are fully dormant. Sinbar is registered at its highest application rate (and most efficacy) when plants are dormant. Both these herbicides will burn off small weed seedlings and prevent early germinating weeds next spring.

Some growers choose not to apply a herbicide before mulching. In these fields an application of Devrinol, Dacthal or Sinbar in early spring is essential. However, because the weather is often adverse in spring, and because plants are very susceptible to Sinbar at this timing, most growers prefer to control weeds before mulching, instead of the following spring.

Goal 2XL herbicide is a relatively new tool for weed management at the pre-mulch timing. It was registered in 2002 through the Minor Use registration program. Goal 2XL works very well on field violet or wild pansy and also helps to control yellow wood sorrel, or oxalis. Plants should be fully dormant before applying Goal 2XL.

Field Violet

Field violet rosette

Common wood sorrel

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Applying for a permit to use Goal:

You need a permit to apply Goal 2XL herbicide, but the paperwork is not too difficult.

1. Obtain the permit request from the Ontario Berry Growers Association (613-258-4587) or your local Ministry of Environment Pesticide Control Office (see OMAFRA Publication #360).
   
2. Fill out the form (it's short) and sketch the field location.
   
3. Goal 2XL is labeled for control of field pansy and oxalis (yellow wood sorrel), purslane, redroot pigweed, cupped nightshade, wild buckwheat, lamb's-quarters, oak-leaved goosefoot and maple-leaved goosefoot. Don't mention any other weeds on the application form.
   
4. Fax it back to the Ministry of Environment Office. They will fax you the permit.
   
5. Take the permit to your dealer when you buy the product.

Questions and answers about Goal 2XL:

Question: Why do plants have to be fully dormant for Goal 2XL application and how do you know when plants are dormant?

Answer: Strawberry plants acquire dormancy gradually, and it is difficult to know when they are fully dormant. The process of becoming dormant generally takes 4-6 weeks of short days and cool temperatures, during which several frosts occur. About the time that strawberry plants are acclimated for winter, their leaves attached to the crown begin to flatten. Some varieties develop a reddish colour. Goal 2XL should be applied to dormant plants; if it is applied to plants that are actively growing, plant injury can occur.

Question: If Goal 2XL is applied in the fall, how does it control weeds in the spring?

Answer: Goal 2XL is a selective preemergence and post emergence herbicide. It will control small weeds that are emerged at the time of application, and it continues to control weeds that come into contact with the material during emergence. Weather conditions affect the breakdown of a herbicide over time, but usually, there is enough residue left in the spring to provide control of early germinating weeds in strawberries.

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Question: What is third party liability?

Answer: Third party liability refers to a clause added to many minor use labels in Canada, including the Goal 2XL label. Remember that Goal 2XL was registered for use on strawberries through the minor use registration program.

Registrants are sometimes reluctant to add new uses to their pesticide labels, especially if the new use is for a low-acreage and high value crop. In these cases, there is little economic incentive for the registrant to add the new minor use to the label, and the risks associated with liability can be very high.

To encourage registrants to support important minor use registrations, the third party liability clause was developed. You will find a third party liability clause on the Goal label, as well as on many other herbicides registered by the minor use program. This is the 3rd party liability clause on the Goal label:

The DIRECTIONS FOR USE for this product for the use(s) described on the Supplementary Label were developed by persons other than Rohm and Haas Canada Inc. and accepted for registration by Health Canada under the User Requested Minor Use Label Expansion program. Rohm and Haas Canada Inc. itself makes no representation or warranty with respect to performance (efficacy) and/or crop tolerance (phytotoxicity) claims for this product when used on the crop(s) listed on this Supplementary Label Accordingly, the Buyer and User assume all liability arising, and agree to hold Rohm and Haas Canada Inc. harmless from any claims based on efficacy and/or phytotoxicity in connection with the use(s) described on this Supplementary Label.

In other words, if the herbicide causes crop damage or if it fails to control the labeled weeds, the user cannot sue the registrant for damages.

However, the registrant remains responsible for the environmental impact and toxicological effects of their product, as they supplied the information in support of the original registration.

The 3rd party liability clause has been an important factor in the success of the Minor Use program, which has provided our industry with several important registrations.

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