What is Reward herbicide?
Reward Herbicide is a non-selective, post-emergent herbicide developed by Syngenta.
It is designed for use in both aquatic and landscape environments, making it effective for controlling weeds in water bodies such as ponds and canals, as well as on land in areas like gardens, pathways, and industrial zones.
Active Ingredient
The active ingredient in Reward Herbicide is diquat dibromide.
This compound is a non-selective, contact herbicide that acts quickly to desiccate plant tissues.
Diquat stops plants from making energy through photosynthesis by disrupting their chloroplasts. It causes the green parts of the plant to dry out quickly. Since it is not systemic, it only affects the areas it touches and does not travel to the roots.
It works by blocking the electron transfer process in photosynthesis, which creates harmful free radicals. These free radicals damage the plant’s cell membranes, leading to its rapid decay.
Visible effects such as wilting and browning appear within 24 to 36 hours after application.
When to apply it
For the best results on underwater weeds, you should apply it in spring or early summer, when the weeds are actively growing and the water temperature is at least 50°F (10°C).
This ensures the weeds are photosynthesizing, which makes the herbicide work more effectively.
Areas for Effective Use
This herbicide can be applied in a variety of areas, including both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Here is a list of the types of areas where it is commonly used:
Aquatic Areas:
- Ponds – For controlling submerged, emergent, and floating weeds.
- Lakes – Effective for managing aquatic vegetation in recreational or managed lakes.
- Ditches and Canals – Used to clear irrigation and drainage channels.
- Reservoirs – Helps maintain water quality by controlling aquatic weeds.
- Marshes and Wetlands – Targets invasive weeds in natural aquatic environments.
- Waterways and Rivers – Controls weeds obstructing flow and navigation.
Terrestrial (Land) Areas:
- Landscapes – For managing weeds in ornamental plantings and landscaped areas.
- Paths and Walkways – Clears weeds from paved and unpaved pathways.
- Driveways – Ideal for keeping driveways free of weeds.
- Fence Lines – Maintains clean borders along fences.
- Parking Lots – Controls weeds in paved or gravel parking areas.
- Industrial Sites – Keeps weeds under control in non-crop industrial locations.
- Greenhouses and Nurseries – Safe for use around ornamental plants in commercial settings.
- Around Buildings – For managing weeds near structures and outdoor spaces.
- Recreational Areas – Clears weeds in parks, playgrounds, and public areas.
How to apply it
- Read the Label Carefully: Start by reading the product label for important instructions, including how much herbicide to use, the correct mixing ratio, and safety precautions.
- Gather Your Equipment: You will need a sprayer (handheld, backpack, or boom sprayer, depending on the area size), measuring tools (such as a graduated cylinder or measuring cup), and clean water for mixing. Make sure the equipment is clean and in good working condition to avoid clogging or uneven spraying.
- Wear Protective Gear: For safety, always wear gloves (chemical-resistant), long sleeves and pants, goggles or safety glasses, closed-toe shoes, and a face mask if recommended on the label.
- Measure the Herbicide: Use a measuring cup or graduated cylinder to measure the correct amount of Reward Herbicide. Follow the mixing ratio on the label based on the size of the area you are treating.
- Prepare the Herbicide Solution: Fill the sprayer tank halfway with clean water. Add the measured amount of herbicide to the tank. Fill the rest of the tank with water to the desired level. Mix the solution by shaking or stirring the tank (if it has a built-in agitator).
- Set Up Your Equipment: Adjust the sprayer nozzle to get the desired spray pattern: use a fine mist for smaller weeds and a coarse spray for larger areas. Test the sprayer on a small, non-target area to ensure it works properly.
- Apply the Herbicide: Spray evenly over the weeds, making sure to cover the leaves completely. Avoid spraying on windy days to prevent drift onto desirable plants. Do not oversaturate the plants, as it may waste herbicide and damage the soil.
- After Application: Clean the equipment thoroughly with water to remove any remaining herbicide. Dispose of the leftover solution safely, following the label’s disposal instructions. Wash your hands, gloves, and other protective equipment after finishing.
- Monitor the Area: Observe the treated area for results over the next few days. Reapply as needed, but always wait the recommended time between applications.
Weeds Controlled
Diquat eliminates most green plants it comes into contact with, including grasses, broadleaf weeds, and certain aquatic weeds. It is important to use caution to protect desirable plants from being affected.
| Type of Weed | Specific Weeds |
|---|---|
| Floating and Marginal Weeds | Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Duckweed (Lemna spp.) Salvinia (Salvinia spp., including S. molesta) Pennywort (Hydrocotyle spp.) Frog’s Bit (Limnobium spongia) Cattails (Typha spp.) |
| Submersed Weeds | Bladderwort (Utricularia spp.) Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) Watermilfoils (including Eurasian, Myriophyllum spp.) Pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.) Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) Elodea (Elodea spp.) Brazilian Elodea (Egeria densa) Naiad (Najas spp.) |
| Algae | Spirogyra spp. Pithophora spp. |
Application Rates
| Application Area | Application Type | Application Rate | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Greenhouses and Nurseries | Spot Spray | 1-2 qts./100 gallons water or 0.75 oz./1 gallon water | Include a 75% or greater nonionic surfactant. Ensure good spray coverage. |
| Commercial Greenhouses and Nurseries | Broadcast | 1-2 pts./acre in a minimum of 15 gallons of water | Add a 75% or greater nonionic surfactant. Ensure good coverage. |
| Ornamental Seed Crops (Flowers, Bulbs, etc.) | Broadcast (Air or Ground) | 1.5-2 pts./acre in a minimum of 5 gallons (air) or 15 gallons (ground) | Repeat every 5 days up to three applications. Do not use for feed or consumption. |
| Landscape, Industrial, Recreational, Residential, and Public Areas | Spot Spray | 1-2 qts./100 gallons water or 0.75 oz./1 gallon water | Include a 75% or greater nonionic surfactant. Ensure thorough coverage. |
| Landscape, Industrial, Recreational, Residential, and Public Areas | Broadcast | 1-2 pts./acre | Use sufficient water volume (e.g., 60+ gallons) for tall or dense weeds. |
| Turf Renovation (Golf Course or Other Turf Areas) | Broadcast | 1-2 pts./acre in 20-100 gallons water or 4 tsp./1 gallon water | Ensure thorough contact. Use higher water volume for dense turfgrass. |
| Dormant Established Turfgrass (Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass) | Broadcast | 1-2 pts./acre in 20-100 gallons water | Add a 75% or greater nonionic surfactant. Use ground spray equipment. |
| Floating and Marginal Weeds | Spot Spray | 2 qts./100 gallons water (0.5% solution) | Include an aquatic wetting agent at 0.25-1.0% v/v. Re-treat if needed. |
| Floating and Marginal Weeds | Broadcast | 0.5-2.0 gallons/acre | Apply with 16-32 oz./acre of an approved wetting agent. Re-treat densely packed weeds as necessary. |
| Duckweed | Broadcast | 1-2 gallons/acre | Ensure good spray coverage for effective control. |
Submersed Weeds
To manage underwater weeds, apply 0.5 to 2.0 gallons per surface acre for every 4 feet of water depth. Use the higher rate of 2.0 gallons per surface acre for areas with severe weed growth.
For the best outcomes, reapply the herbicide as needed, following a 14 to 21-day schedule. The table below provides the recommended amount of herbicide to use based on water depth.
| 1 Foot | 2 Feet | 3 Feet | 4 Feet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 gallon/acre rate | 0.25 gal. | 0.50 gal. | 0.75 gal. | 1.0 gal. |
| 2 gallon/acre rate | 0.50 gal. | 1.0 gal. | 1.5 gals. | 2.0 gals. |
Aquatic Use Directions
When it comes to the aquatic use of Reward Landscape and Aquatic Herbicide, it is essential to follow all regulations and safety guidelines to protect water bodies and the environment.
Before application, ensure you obtain the necessary approvals or permits from local authorities, such as Fish and Game agencies, State Water Conservation offices, or Departments of Natural Resources.
New York Restrictions: This product cannot be sold or used in New York State without Supplemental Special Local Needs Labeling.
Keep in mind that treating dense weed areas can reduce oxygen levels due to weed decomposition, potentially causing fish suffocation. Treat no more than 1/3 to 1/2 of the water body at one time, waiting 14 days between treatments.
| Application Rate | Drinking | Fishing and Swimming | Livestock/Animal Consumption | Spray Tank Applications(Turf and Landscape Ornamentals) | Spray Tank Applications (Food Crops and Production Ornamentals) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 gals./surface acre | 3 days | 0 | 1 day | 3 days | 5 days |
| 1 gal./surface acre | 2 days | 0 | 1 day | 2 days | 5 days |
| 0.75 gal./surface acre | 2 days | 0 | 1 day | 2 days | 5 days |
| 0.50 gal./surface acre | 1 day | 0 | 1 day | 1 day | 5 days |
| Spot Spray* (<0.5 gal./surface acre) | 1 day | 0 | 1 day | 1 day | 5 days |
Spray Drift Management
Applicators and growers must take responsibility for preventing spray drift during pesticide application.
Equipment setup and weather conditions significantly influence drift potential, and all factors should be carefully considered before application.
Boom and Nozzle Setup:
- The distance of the outermost nozzles on the boom must not exceed ¾ of the wingspan or rotor length.
- Nozzles should point backward, parallel to the airstream, and should not be angled downward more than 45 degrees.
Droplet Size:
- Use large droplets to minimize drift.
- Choose nozzles that create larger droplets and use lower pressure if recommended by the manufacturer.
- Orient nozzles to release spray parallel to the airstream for larger droplets and less drift.
Application Height:
- Do not spray more than 10 feet above the target plants unless safety requires a higher height.
- Lower heights reduce evaporation and drift.
Wind Conditions:
- Best results occur with wind speeds of 2-10 mph.
- Avoid application below 2 mph to prevent variable wind direction and inversion risks.
