Know Your Herbicide Formulation (Part 2) – Water-Soluble Concentrates vs. ECs

Water-soluble herbicides are concentrated formulations that are completely water-soluble and form a true solution when mixed with water. Some examples of BASF herbicides in this category are Liberty^® herbicide and Clarity^® herbicide. Most glyphosate formulations are also water-soluble concentrates.

📸: @ARTFULLY79 via Canva

Key Differences Between ECs and Water-Soluble Concentrates

Direct from the container, they may look very similar to Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC), somewhat transparent and colored. However, since they contain no petroleum solvents, they are generally non-volatile and have little to no odor. A key difference you will see when adding ECs to water is that there will be no milky emulsion, as when ECs are introduced to water.

Handling Considerations for Water-Soluble Concentrates (Salts)

Since they are water-soluble, they leave little to no residue, are easy to clean up, are not abrasive, won’t plug screens, and require no agitation. These features make water-soluble concentrated formulations relatively trouble-free to handle and spray.

Many concentrated solution herbicide active ingredients are salts that can react with some metals; thus, there may be specific equipment storage and handling requirements. Be sure to read labels and check with manufacturers for more information. In addition, soluble salts can cause eye irritation or injury. Users should always read Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) requirements on product labels and note any eye protection that may be required when using some products.

📸: BASF employee/Featuring two examples of Concentrated Water-Soluble formulations. Glyphosate (Left), Clarity (Right).

Mixing Water-Soluble Concentrates: Read the Label & Avoid Direct Mixing

The same features that make water-soluble concentrates easy to handle and spray generally apply to easy product mixing too. That said, salts in some herbicides may react negatively with ingredients in other formulations, and although water-soluble concentrates are “water-soluble,” they are not water, and that doesn’t mean they will readily combine with other products. That is why mixing different formulations directly together is NOT recommended. With the exception of some adjuvants, Water Soluble Concentrates are “usually” the second-to-last product to add to the sprayer when tank mixing, just ahead of

Water-Soluble Concentrates & Liquid Fertilizer Carriers: Not a Good Mix

Emulsifiable Concentrates (ECs)

It is not typical to apply water-soluble concentrates to liquid fertilizer carriers. Fertilizer salts can tie up active ingredients (antagonism), resulting in poor weed control. Consult product labels to see if such carriers are allowed and, if so, what directions are provided for their use. 

Ammonium Sulfate (AMS): The Perfect Partner for Water-Soluble Herbicides

Ammonium Sulfate (AMS) is a recommended spray additive for the three products I have mentioned: Liberty^® herbicide, Clarity^® herbicide, and Glyphosate. There are numerous reasons for this, but essentially, ammonium nitrogen helps sequester minerals in hard water, preventing herbicide tie-up, and since plants have a natural affinity for nitrogen, more herbicide is taken in by plants, increasing weed control. 

📸: @Africa Images via Canva/Featuring a farmer holding Ammonium Nitrate Pellets in hands.

Liquid Nitrogen vs. AMS: Know Your Spray Additives

It should be noted that liquid nitrogen (28%, 32% UAN) is not the same as AMS. As the name implies, urea-ammonium nitrate solutions contain urea nitrogen and a small amount of ammonium nitrogen. The resulting performance between AMS and UAN is quite different, and the use of UAN as an adjuvant is generally not recommended for these products.

Before mixing components, always conduct a compatibility jar test. Always consult respective product labels for specific mixing instructions. The most restrictive label applies.

Always read and follow label directions. Grow Smart, Liberty, and Clarity are registered trademarks of BASF. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of any such trademark does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by its owner. © 2024 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.