Salt Antagonism of Glyphosate

Abstract

Glyphosate is often applied with diammonium sulfate to increase weed control. However, many other salts in the spray carrier have antagonized glyphosate phytotoxicity. Research was conducted with wheat as a bioassay species to further determine the influence of various salts on glyphosate phytotoxicity. Cation antagonism of glyphosate occurred with iron > zinc > calcium ≥ magnesium > sodium > potassium. Ammonium cation with hydroxide or most other anions was not antagonistic. Anions of ammonium compounds were of primary importance in overcoming glyphosate antagonistic salts, while the ammonium cation was neutral or slightly stimulatory with certain anions. Sulfate, phosphate, citrate, and acetate anions were not antagonistic, but nitrate and chloride anions were slightly antagonistic when applied as ammonium salts or acids. Antagonism of glyphosate action by sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride was overcome by phosphoric, sulfuric, and citric acid and phosphate, sulfate, and citrate ammonium salts. Acid and ammonium salts of nitrate and chloride were more effective in overcoming sodium bicarbonate than calcium chloride antagonists of glyphosate. Ferric sulfate antagonism was overcome only by citric, partly by phosphoric and sulfuric but not by nitric and hydrochloric acids or their ammonium salts. Acetic acid, ammonium acetate, and ammonium hydroxide did not overcome any salt antagonism of glyphosate. Glyphosate response to salts was independent of spray carrier pH.