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Important tips for storing rust fungicides for next year
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8/8/2005 Anne Dorrance, plant pathologist at Ohio State University, is still working hard to advise growers to hold off on spraying for rust. So she also is providing advice on what to do if one has already purchased fungicides for this season.
It appears that there maybe some fungicide storage issues for this winter, in light of the fact that soybean rust may not be an issue for the 2005 season, Dorrance said in a recent newsletter. She compiled these tips from from Cornell, Ohio State University and North Carolina State University.
Here are some suggestions for safe storage from the Pesticide Management Education Program at Cornell University:
1. Be sure that caps are tightened securely on all bottles and cans. Eliminate leaky containers.
2. Do not store weed killers close to other materials such as wettable powders, dust formulations or granular insecticides. Some weed killers such as 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T are highly volatile substances and can contaminate other materials, especially when confined in close quarters.
3. Store wettable powders, dusts and granules of pesticide products in a cool, dry place.
4. Do not store liquid pesticides in a place where the temperature will fall below 40 degrees f. Too low temperature may result in a breakdown of liquid material, and if the liquid should freeze, there is the danger that the containers will break.
5. Do not carry over pesticide products whose labels have been lost or are not complete and legible.
6. Above all, keep pesticide materials in a locked room or cabinet and out of reach of children and animals.
7. Always purchase pesticides in a container size small enough to be used up within a season or less. This is the best method for reducing storage problems. Although this method may seem somewhat uneconomical, in the long run, it may prove to be a great savings when one looks at the previous six suggestions.
Source: J. Capizzi, OPEW (Vol. XI, No. 3) From the Pesticide Management Education Program at Cornell University.
"Storing Pesticides for Next Season" from Ohio State University:
Dorrance said all of these guidelines are important for today:
Growers storing pesticides should always consider safety and product quality, whether storage is for a few weeks or a year or more. It is best not to have leftover pesticides. However, there are usually surplus pesticides left over at the end of the season, and preseason purchases often are very economical.
The following points should be followed:
1. Read the label. Certain formulations or products have special storage requirements. Those restrictions or directions will be printed on the label.
2. Make certain that the label is in good condition (readable) in order to know what is in the container and have directions for safe, effective and legal use.
3. Write down the purchase or delivery date on the label. Use older or opened products first. Products several years old may not be effective.
4. Keep an up-to-date inventory of pesticides to assist in purchase decisions and in case of emergency.
5. Usually storage temperatures should not go below freezing nor above 100 degrees F. Ventilation is important for storage of most pesticides. Keep pesticides dry and out of direct sunlight.
6. Store insecticides away from herbicides to prevent use mixup, contamination and possible plant damage. Never store pesticides with feed and seed.
7. Pesticide storage areas should be placarded and locked away from children, irresponsible adults and animals.
Source: From Ohio State University Bulletin 745 from 1987.
More storage and handling tips, from North Carolina State:
These tips on handling, labeling and storing pesticides comes from a North Carolina State University fact sheet that focuses on on-farm facilities, especially related to protected farm water sources (wells). Here are the points that apply in particular to storing fungicides this fall and winter:
Pesticides should always be stored in sound, properly labeled, original containers. Each container should be labeled with the following:
1. Common chemical name,
2. Percentage of each active ingredient,
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number,
4. Signal word, and
5. Classification of uses (restricted use or general use).
Sound containers are your first defense against a spill or leak. If a container is accidentally ripped open or knocked off a shelf, the spill should be confined to the immediate area and cleaned up promptly.
Steel shelves are easier to clean than wood if a spill occurs. Shelves for smaller containers should have a lip to keep the containers from sliding off.
Store dry products above liquids to prevent wetting from spills. Provide pallets to keep large drums or bags off the floor.
Keep pesticides separate to prevent cross-contamination. Herbicides, insecticides and fungicides should be kept on separate shelves or in separate areas.
Pesticide storage areas must be kept free from combustible materials (such as petroleum products) or other operations that present a fire hazard (such as welding).
A pesticide storage area cannot be closer than 50 feet to a private well and 100 feet to a public well.
Source: "Improving Storage and Handling of Pesticides", a North Carolina State University fact sheet.
Article source: C.O.R.N Newsletter 2005-24 edition, August 1-9, 2005.
For an easy way to stay informed, sign up for the weekly Bulletin e-mail newsletter from www.StopSoybeanRust.com. You also will receive our RUST FLASH e-mails alerting you to important breaking news as soon as it occurs. All are archived in Bulletins.
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