When To Apply Amine 400 [And How To]?

Amine 400 is a common agricultural herbicide that is too potent and should be handled with care. There are specific guidelines you have to follow before applying. That being said, when exactly is the best time to apply the product and how should you use it? Read on and find out what our research revealed.

Amine 400 could be used in summer and spring but the best time to apply is during the fall. Consider the temperature, moisture level, and wind speed prior to applying. The solution is sprayed directly on the leaves, stems, and flowers.

The article includes pertinent information regarding safety measures, precautions, and proper application as well as natural alternatives you can use.

How Does Amine 400 Work?

Amine 400 is classified under the category of 2-4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or 2-4-D herbicides, a known chemical compound used to kill several species of annual and perennial weeds without damaging crops and grasses.

Auxin is a growth hormone only found in weeds, and 2-4-Ds replicate its action. Once the weeds absorb the chemical, plant tissues will grow uncontrollably, making it unable to sustain itself. It results in wilting, curling, and eventual death.

When Should You Apply The Solution?

Spraying herbicide from the nozzle to Para Grass weeds

Because of the considerable hazard it may cause, you should consider several factors prior to application.

Season

Although amine 400 can be applied all throughout the growing seasons, fall is the ideal period to use the product. During this time, unwanted growth accumulates energy and available nutrients to survive the upcoming season.

Once the solution is sprayed on the area, the weeds absorb the chemical more rapidly because their root system devotes all its energy to taking in any available nutrients within its proximity.

Wind Speed

Farmer spraying pesticide during sunset time, When To Apply Amine 400 [And How To]?

The chemical is best applied when the wind speed in the area is between 3 to 7 meters per second (m/s) as it would prevent the spread of the chemical to the user and ensure the solution is properly applied without damaging nearby residences and ecosystems.

Temperature

The relative temperature in your area affects the herbicide’s efficacy. During extreme cold, weeds and other unwanted growths go into a period of dormancy or have a slower growth rate.

That being said, these plants will absorb the chemical slower than usual, lessening the potency and delaying the effect of the herbicide. Since heat will cause the chemical compound to evaporate quickly, the weeds are not exposed long enough for the herbicide to take full effect.

To achieve optimum efficiency, it would be best to apply Amine 400 as well as other herbicides when temperatures do not go below 60 and above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Air Moisture

Three basic active ingredients are present in 2-4-D – acid, salt, and ester. Amine 400 is basically made with 46.47% salt.

Wet conditions may dilute or dissolve the active ingredients of the compound and essentially lessen its effectiveness. To properly apply the solution, monitor your area's relative humidity before applying.

The Hazards Of Amine 400

Herbicides classified under 2-4-D are considered biohazards and proven to be toxic to humans and animals. Improper use and application have a negative impact on nearby aquatic life and ecosystem.

Generally, however, the severity of the toxins depends on their chemical forms – acid and salt, as well as ester being its most potent type.

As much as possible, avoid skin contact, swallowing, and inhalation. Eye exposure causes irreversible eye damage. The chemical may initially cause skin irritation, but in more severe cases, it could be absorbed by your tissues and cause more serious harm.

If ingested or inhaled, you should immediately call poison control as well as a doctor for urgent treatment.

Precautions/Safety Measures

Before we proceed with how you can properly apply amine 400, let us first go over the precautions and safety measures you must observe.

Before:

  • Ideally, wear protective clothing or use personal protective equipment (PPE) that is made of rubber and is chemical resistant.
  • Before mixing the solution and handling the product, you must wear:
    • a face shield or goggles,
    • long sleeves,
    • pants, socks,
    • shoes,
    • chemical-resistant gloves,
    • and an apron.
  • If the inside of the PPE has been contaminated, remove the clothing right away. Soak the equipment in detergent and hot water and wash separately.
  • If your clothing has been exposed, immediately change into a fresh set of clothes. Heavily contaminated fabric should be thrown away and not be reused.

After: 

  • Wash your hands thoroughly after use and before consuming any food and beverages, lighting a cigarette, and using the toilet.

How Should You Use Amine 400?

pouring herbicide water from bottle into tank sprayer

Amine 400 should be handled and dealt with carefully. The following section includes its preparation and application.

Can It Be Used On Home Landscapes And Gardens?

Amine 400 and other 2-4-D herbicides could be used in residential areas but not in gardens and landscapes where flowers, trees, and shrubs are grown. The chemical compound will kill these plants once they have been exposed.

You can only use the product on established lawns and certain species of grasses, including bluegrass, fescue, and perennial ryegrass. Spot treatment application is necessary on creeping grasses since they are more susceptible to the chemical.

For the solution to be effective, it should come in contact with the weed’s foliage. That’s why you should not mow your lawn prior to and after application.

How To Prepare The Solution

Materials you will need:

  • Amine 400
  • Water
  • Surfactant
  • Protective gears

Preparation:

The chemical and water ratio depends on the relative size of the area you would apply it on.

  • To illustrate: 2 tablespoons of amine are required per gallon of water if the area measures 1,000 square feet. Add 1 teaspoon of surfactant into the mix.
  • One tablespoon of amine per half gallon (0.5) of water is needed to cover 500 square feet. Add ¼ teaspoon of surfactant.
  • For spot treatments, 1 teaspoon of amine per half gallon is enough. This way, the chemical is more diluted and less potent.

Check out Southern Ag Surfactant For Herbicides on Amazon.

Note: It is important to prepare the right proportion for the weed killer to act effectively and produce results. If the solution is too dilute, it may not kill the growths. On the other hand, if the preparation is too potent, surrounding crops and other plants will be affected.

Check out Southern Ag Amine Weed Killer on Amazon.

How To Apply Amine 400?

Farmer spraying vegetables in the garden with herbicides, pesticides or insecticides.

Once preparation is complete, take note of the factors you should consider prior to application – wind speed, temperature, and air moisture. If the condition is favorable, spray the solution directly on the weeds’ stems, leaves, and flowers.

Rainfast Period

The rainfast period simply pertains to the time that the herbicide becomes rainproof. Amine solution becomes water-resistant 6 to 8 hours after application.

If the forecast anticipates rainfall, apply the mixture at least 24 hours before the expected downpour. Exposure to water before the rainfast period elapses makes the solution less potent as well as reduces plant absorption of the chemical.

What Are Some Alternatives To Herbicides?

Herbicides classified under 2-4-D are too potent to use in residential landscapes and gardens. Furthermore, their application may present toxic effects while handling the chemical.

Fortunately, there are natural ways to remove weeds without compromising your health as well as the plants in your garden.

Mulching

Mulch creates a structural layer that prevents sunlight from reaching the weeds necessary for their growth. As a result, weed formation is inhibited, and eventually, their proliferation is controlled.

In fact, organic materials used as mulch act as a slow-release fertilizer that gradually provides your plant with sufficient nutrients.

You can place rocks or pebbles on the surface before applying mulch to flatten the weeds and prevent them from growing. You can put dried leaves and grasses, newspapers, tree bark, and coconut husks above the stones to act as mulch.

Boiling Water

Boiling water can scald unwanted growths and prevent them from growing back. However, re-application is necessary for weeds with long taproots, and careful employment of the liquid is essential so as to not harm other plants.

Vinegar

The acetic acid present in vinegar can kill weeds because it tends to absorb or suck up the water in plants.

Homemade vinegar solution is made by mixing a cup of salt and a tablespoon of dish soap in one gallon of vinegar. Be careful when using the mixture because it can harm other growths in your garden.

Salt

When the weed’s root system absorbs salt, sodium chloride (NaCl) will create an imbalance in the plant’s water intake, eventually killing it. Unfortunately, the composition of the soil could be temporarily altered, rendering it inhospitable to plants for a certain period.

Place a pinch of salt at the base where weeds are growing. Be careful not to spread it on plants nearby.

In Closing

Farmer spraying pesticide during sunset time

Amine 400 is highly potent yet effective in killing weeds, especially in the fall. Unfortunately, it is highly toxic to humans, animals, and ecosystems if improperly applied. So be sure to consider the factors and precautions prior to application. We hope the article has answered your query.

These topics might also be helpful:

Is Tenacity Herbicide Safe For Pets?

When Is It Too Cold To Spray Herbicide?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *