Colex-D® Herbicide Approved by APVMA for Use in Winter Cereals, Pastures, and Non-Agricultural Areas
Corteva Agriscience has announced that its Colex-D® herbicide, a low-odor, low-volatility formulation of 2,4-D, has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for use in winter cereals, pastures, and non-agricultural areas. This new approval provides growers with greater confidence in using this advanced herbicide without the risk of spray drift damaging neighboring crops.
Colex-D is a next-generation herbicide featuring Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) that significantly reduces both physical drift and volatility, offering better performance and more precision than traditional 2,4-D products. This formulation ensures a safe and effective weed control solution, while also protecting surrounding crops from unintended exposure.
Innovative Technology for Reduced Drift and Volatility
Greg Wells, Senior Biologist at Corteva Agriscience, emphasized that Colex-D has been formulated to address the critical challenges posed by physical drift and volatility—issues commonly associated with traditional 2,4-D herbicides. By using 2,4-D choline, a proprietary ingredient, Colex-D maintains a near-zero volatility profile, preventing the herbicide from vaporizing and drifting to off-target locations.
“Every year, we see crop damage from off-target movement of traditional 2,4-D products, especially in crops like cotton, vines, and canola. With Colex-D, growers can significantly reduce the risk of such damage,” said Greg Wells.
The Colex-D formulation contains a unique chemistry that reduces the tendency of 2,4-D to break apart and become volatile, ensuring that spray droplets do not travel and harm crops several kilometers away.
How Colex-D Reduces Spray Drift and Volatility
The movement of herbicide droplets can occur through physical drift, where the wind carries droplets to unintended areas, or volatility, where droplets evaporate into the air and affect distant crops. Colex-D has been specifically designed to reduce both, with Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) that decreases the driftable portion of the spray droplets during application.
In testing, Colex-D showed a 100% reduction in extremely fine droplets, a 63% reduction in very fine droplets, and a 26% reduction in fine droplets when compared to traditional 2,4-D amine formulations. This means that growers can apply Colex-D with greater confidence, reducing the risk of off-target herbicide exposure.
Addressing the Challenges of Volatile 2,4-D Formulations
Older 2,4-D amine and ester formulations have long been associated with volatility. When mixed with water, these formulations can release volatile forms of 2,4-D acid, which may be carried off-site by the wind, especially after application on soil or plant surfaces.
In contrast, Colex-D’s use of 2,4-D choline as the active ingredient prevents this dissociation, reducing volatility and making it safer for neighboring crops. Traditional ester formulations can be three to four times more volatile than amine formulations, a significant risk factor that Colex-D addresses.
Export Dynamics: Boosting Global Export Capabilities
As Corteva Agriscience expands the use of Colex-D in Australia, the company is also positioning the product as a key solution in international markets. The advanced technology of Colex-D allows Australian farmers to access reliable weed control solutions, while simultaneously ensuring sustainability in agricultural practices. As Australia is a significant exporter of agricultural products, the approval and deployment of Colex-D will strengthen Australia’s position in global markets where environmental standards are a priority.
Colex-D’s ability to reduce drift and volatility positions it as an export-ready product, enabling Australian agricultural producers to meet the growing sustainability demands in export markets such as the EU, North America, and Asia.
A Solution for Better Weed Control and Neighborly Farming
“Growers need to minimize the risk of damage caused by both physical drift and the more subtle movement of volatile 2,4-D formulations,” added Greg Wells. “Colex-D provides a solution that allows broadacre growers to access powerful weed control without the risk of harming neighboring fields.”
When used in accordance with label directions and following industry spraying guidelines, Colex-D ensures a safe, effective, and environmentally responsible herbicide application, making it an excellent choice for farmers seeking high-performance weed control without the risk of off-target damage.
