Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data

Benefits

Benefits from using 2,4-D to control weeds

The benefit of weed control in turf grass was first discussed in the July 1945 edition of “Timely Turf Topics”, published by the United States Golf Association Green Sector. The full value of all the benefits has not been measured over the seven decades since then, but we do know that a wide variety of sectors make use of products containing 2,4-D to protect crops, green spaces and other areas from invasive weeds and unwanted vegetation.

The use of 2,4-D was first introduced to the agricultural industry in 1947 and has since become a successful tool allowing farmers to maximize crop potential. 2,4-D has the ability to effectively control weeds at a low cost, and as a result farmers benefit from improved crop yield and quality. This keeps input costs low for crops such as wheat, oats and rice while at the same time providing consumers with high quality nutritious food.

2,4-D based consumer products are available to homeowners so that they may better enjoy a healthy lawn free of unwanted broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions, plantains, clovers and chickweeds, which cause allergies. It also controls many poisonous weeds, like poison ivy and poison oak. Millions of acres of lawn and landscapes around homes, businesses, roadsides, parks, athletic fields and golf courses improve our quality of life by providing open spaces, recreation, enhanced property values and the conservation of important natural resources.

Safety is paramount along highways and roads. Vegetation management using 2,4-D helps ensure motorist safety by controlling encroaching weeds and brush that can conceal road signs, deer and moose as well as affect driver visibility. Vegetation management stops weeds and brush roots that crack and buckle road surfaces. Safety is also essential in railroad transportation which involves heavy equipment moving at high speeds. Weeds reduce train traction and hide damaged equipment during routine inspections. Encroaching brush can also limit motorist line-of-sight at railroad crossings. Vegetation can cause drainage problems that lead to deteriorating ties and destabilized track beds.

For an electrical utility to maintain its effectiveness, it must limit service interruptions along transmission line rights-of-way. Vegetation management using 2,4-D plays a major role in ensuring that tree branches do not contact power lines and prevent electricity from reaching the consumer. Safety remains another problem when trees touch transmission and distribution lines. As was witnessed with the 2003 power outage throughout the US Northeast, invasive vegetation has the potential to damage power lines and transformer equipment. Finally, well maintained rights-of-way offer aesthetic value to the community and provide beneficial wildlife habitat.

Agriculture	Lawn Care	Sports Turf	Forestry

Roadways	Waterways	Invasive Species	Science