WHAT IS PULSE PENETRANT?

Pulse Penetrant is a spray additive for Roundup® herbicide, which acts as a superior form of surfactant, as well as improving the penetration of Roundup into brush and woody weeds. Pulse Penetrant is the result of extensive testing by Monsanto on a wide range of surfactants in an attempt to improve the performance of Roundup on certain hard-to-control weeds. The active ingredient of Pulse is an organosilicone called modified polydimethylsiloxane. This is a mixture of various polymers belonging to the general class of surfactants known as organosilicones. These are a new class of surfactant in Australia, as there are no other organosilicones on the agricultural market. Organosilicones were selected as being superior to existing surfactants, and Pulse was selected as the best of these.

HOW DOES PULSE PENETRANT WORK?

The role of all surfactants added to spray solutions is to ensure maximum contact between the droplet and the leaf. Pulse is a superior wetter, which leads to a very low surface tension in the spray drops and hence to a wider spread of droplets on the leaf surface. This gives a much greater surface area contact than Roundup used alone. Initial work conducted by Joe Vitelli of the Queensland Tropical Research Centre, Queensland, demonstrates the superior spreading ability of Pulse in water over a standard non-ionic wetter. In trials conducted on gorse using radioactive isotopes in Roundup, Pulse Penetrant actually improved the penetration from the outside to the inside of gorse leaves. This improved penetration of Roundup led to translocation of a greater percentage of the applied Roundup into other parts of the plant.

WHAT IS PULSE PENETRANT USED FOR?

Pulse is specifically recommended as a spray additive to Roundup to improve performance of Roundup on gorse and bracken. Pulse has proven to be particularly effective in improving the performance of Roundup on these two weeds.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Do not vary from the 200ml of Pulse per 100L of spray solution because as has been shown, this is the optimum rate for Pulse. Do not reduce the rates of Roundup as all trial work has shown that the recommended label rates of Roundup are needed to achieve control. AVOID EXCESSIVE AGITATION BOTH WHEN MIXING AND WHEN SPRAYING, AS FOAMING CAN OCCUR IF SOLUTION IS OVER AGITATED. Wear gloves and a face shield or goggles when handling Pulse undiluted as it is severely irritating to the eyes.

Equipment: Boomspray and Gas Gun
Mixing:
1. Half fill tank with water.
2. Add the correct amount of Roundup and mix.
3. Fill tank until almost full.
4. Add Pulse at the rate of 200ml per 100L of spray solution and mix.
5. Complete filling tank.
6. Mix.

RESTRAINTS ON USE

Pulse should not be added to Roundup as a general-purpose surfactant as some antagonism can occur between Roundup and Pulse on typically easy-to-kill grasses such as wild oats and Brome grass. Currently there are no other herbicides recommended for use with Pulse on the Pulse label. Users should check with the manufacturer before using any particular herbicide or other pesticide with Pulse. Pulse I not a general-purpose surfactant but rather a specific spray additive for Roundup herbicide for the improved control of brush and woody weeds.

FOLLOW UP TREATMENT

Burning (after complete brown out), pasture improvement and/or further treatment are recommended to control seedlings and/or growth.