5 tips for applying Reglone® Ion in canola

Reglone^® Ion is a true desiccant designed to speed up and even out the natural drydown process, putting you in charge of your canola harvest.

A desiccated canola crop will be consistently drier and less likely to take on environmental moisture, so you can thresh it more smoothly and easily. Desiccation also allows you to start combining sooner, run faster and get more acres done in a day.

That said, field selection, crop staging and proper application are important for a successful pre-harvest application of Reglone Ion in canola. Here are five tips to help you get the most out of a Reglone Ion application this season.

1. Spray Reglone Ion on cloudy days or in the evening.

Reglone Ion is activated by photosynthesis, so spraying on cloudy days or in the evening gives the product an opportunity to diffuse across plant surfaces and between plant cells prior to activation.

For faster results, apply Reglone Ion into a warming trend – rapid photosynthesis will result in quicker activity.

2. Wait until at least 90 percent seeds have turned completely brown.

Watch for brown colouring in the upper pods and stems of your canola; the crop should be changing from green and yellow to brown. Be sure to look for colour change in the top 10 percent of your pods. (If these upper-most pods aren’t brown, none of the others will be either.)

Remember: there’s a difference between seed colour change, which indicates physiological maturity, and brown seed percentage, which indicates the crop is ready for dry down. If in doubt, give your plants a shake. Mature (brown) seeds will be loose in the pod and produce a rattling sound when shaken.

For more information on staging a canola crop for Reglone Ion application, check out these best practices.

3. Get the rate right.

Reglone Ion should be applied at a rate of 0.83 L/ac.

4. Watch the water volume.

High water volumes provide the best coverage. Aim for at least 20 gal/ac (200 L/ha) for a ground application or 5 gal/acre (50 L/ha) for an aerial application.

Applying Reglone Ion at the full rate and at a high water volume will help desiccate the crop more quickly and completely.

5. Keep that sprayer slow and steady.

Travelling at a slow and steady pace allows for the best coverage into the crop canopy. It also makes it easier to maintain the ideal boom height of 20 inches above the canopy.

Remember to optimize your nozzle pattern for maximum coverage!

Want to dig deeper?

Check out this on-demand webinar for field selection, crop staging and application tips so you can feel confident about applying Reglone Ion.