Interactive Map for Acetochlor (ex. Harness™) Applications
Due to high leaching potential, the acetochlor (ex. Degree™, Harness™, Surpass™) label restricts where it can be applied. The restrictions, based on soil type and depth to groundwater, mean that acetochlor cannot be used in many areas of Dakota County. According to the label, acetochlor cannot be applied to loamy sands with less than 2% organic matter or sandy loams with less than 1% organic matter where the depth to groundwater is 30 feet or less.
University of Minnesota Extension-Dakota County, Dakota County Water Resources Department and Office of GIS have collaborated to develop an
interactive map to help determine areas where acetochlor applications may be restricted. The map can be used to easily identify both soil texture and depth to groundwater on a field by field basis throughout rural Dakota County. Soil organic matter content, the final piece of information needed to make a decision, can be obtained through a soil test.
The map offers two ways to look at potential acetochlor application restrictions:
Overview of
potential acetochlor restrictions. The overview combines areas of coarse-textured soils where the depth to groundwater is less than 30 feet. Since the overview doesn’t differentiate between loamy sands and sandy loams, fields containing the potential restriction should go through the more complete
Three Step Guide below.
The
Three Step Guide provides more complete information for determining whether or not acetochlor can be applied.
- Step 1. Does the field contain a loamy sand (yellow) or sandy loam (orange) soil?
a. If yes, go to Step 2.
b. If no, acetochlor may be applied.
- Step 2. Is the depth to groundwater less than 30 feet (click on water table)?
a. If yes (area is red), go to Step 3.
b. If no (area is green), acetochlor may be applied.
- Step 3. According to field soil tests, is the soil organic matter content less than 2.0% for a loamy sand, or less than 1.0% for a sandy loam?
a. If yes, acetochlor may not be applied according to label restriction.
b. If no, acetochlor may be applied.
For questions or comments about the interactive acetochlor map, please contact Phyllis Bongard at University of Minnesota Extension-Dakota County at 651-480-7757 or by e-mail at
bonga028@umn.edu.
The information provided in this application is intended for educational purposes only and is not guaranteed in any way. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the University of Minnesota or Dakota County is implied. Information provided is not intended to replace actual local knowledge.
Soil texture classifications are derived from Soil Survey of Dakota County, 1983.
The depth to groundwater classification is based on a statistical analysis of well construction records and DNR observation data. It represents at 97.5% confidence level that the average water table has not been less than 30 feet deep during the period of record.