What should be avoided when applying herbicides according to best practices?

When applying herbicides, one of the best practices is to avoid application on stressed plants. Stressed plants, whether due to drought, disease, or pest damage, may not effectively absorb or metabolize the herbicide, leading to suboptimal results in controlling unwanted vegetation. Furthermore, applying herbicides under these conditions can put additional stress on the plants, potentially causing harm or injury, which can diminish their health and resilience.

In contrast, application during warm weather can often be beneficial for herbicide effectiveness, as higher temperatures may enhance the uptake and action of the herbicide. Similarly, applying herbicides during plant dormancy is generally advisable for certain types of control, as the target plants are less actively growing, which can help in minimizing unintended damage to desirable species. Finally, while timing applications relative to rainfall is crucial, this alone wouldn’t guide the application practices in the way that considering plant health does. Thus, stressing the importance of plant condition ensures that herbicide applications are not only effective but also responsible and environmentally sound.