The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a new Supplemental Label for use of the graminicide Select Max 0.97 EC (clethodim) for bearing pome and stone fruits. This includes apples, pears and all other pome fruits, and apricots, cherries, nectarine, peaches, plums and related hybrids. The label also includes low-growing berry crops (except cranberry and strawberry), including low-bush blueberry. Previously it was only available for use on non-bearing fruits.
The label allows use of 12 to 16 fluid ounces (0.09-0.12 lbs active ingredient) per acre of Select Max in each application, with a maximum of 64 fluid ounces per acre per year. There is a 14-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) for all the tree fruit. The PHI for small fruit is 45 days. Always include 0.25% v/v non-ionic surfactant in the herbicide solution (1 quart in 100 gallons of spray solution).
Select Max is effective against all annual grasses, and is especially effective against annual bluegrass, which Poast (sethoxydim) tends to miss. Select Max at the highest labeled rate is moderately effective against quackgrass, orchardgrass and other perennial grasses.
Select Max is similar to the other graminicides, in that it kills grasses slowly. Visual symptoms (yellowing of the leaves) appear about one week after application. Normally, about four to five days after application, the tallest part of the grass plants can be pulled off and will have yellow discoloration at the node where it breaks off. Large, well-established grasses, especially perennials, may need a second application of Select Max or other grass herbicide three to four weeks after the first application to kill them completely.
The Select Max Supplemental Label is part of the Select Max Section 3 Federal label. The Supplemental Label expires in May 2019. By then these uses should be included on the Federal label attached to containers. The new Supplemental Label is available from the internet at CDMS
