Sempra Herbicide (Halosulfuron)

Thank you for asking this on the Sempra Herbicide product page. To our knowledge, there are no registered herbicides for controlling Italian Arum (Arum italicum). An 'off-label' option you want to trial is Vigilant II Herbicide Gel. Arum Lily is listed as a susceptible species when Vigilant II is applied as a 'cut and paint' method with minimal impact on surrounding trees.

Sempra Herbicide 'directions for use' does not indicate any rates for application by 'garden hose spray mixer', and to the best of our knowledge, there are no 'off label' recommendations. Sempra is usually mixed with 1.3gm into 10L of water and applied evenly over 100m². If you wanted to conduct an off-label trial with a hose sprayer, we would suggest mixing the same amount of product into the hose sprayer and selecting a setting that allows that amount of water to be applied evenly over 100m². We are not confident a hose sprayer is the best option for this application, as the inclusion of a wetting agent is recommended to a foliar spray to ensure complete coverage on the leaf surface, adhesion to the leaf and translocation to the root system to kill the string of nuts.  

Non-ionic wetting agents are not classified as dangerous goods and have a signal heading of 'warning' indicating that the necessary care and attention must be undertaken when using them.  They are not a scheduled poison. If you read the SDS for the dishwashing detergent in your house, you will observe that it most likely has the same warnings as a non-ionic wetting agent. We strongly advise against using a detergent with herbicides as they are not a wetting agent and will do more damage than good to the spray solution. More information is available via our blog "Why detergents are not suitable wetting agents? (https://bit.ly/42sjhhF)". Adding nothing extra to the spray mix would be preferable if you decide not to use a dedicated wetting agent.

Sempra Herbicide (halosulfuron) label lists compatibility with glyphosate, diclofop methyl, dicamba/MCPA and Bromoxynil/MCPA mixtures and amine formulations of 2,4-D; Metsulfuron-Methyl is not listed. Also, Metsulfuron-Methyl is not registered or recommended for use in any domestic turf or garden situation, and to do so is at your own risk. Metsulfuron can kill or severely damage trees, including gums. Metsulfuron will be leached into the soil after rainfall and remain in the ground for a time. If a tree's root system comes in contact with the Metsulfuron, it can be translocated throughout the tree. Depending on the application rate and the size of the tree, the result may be the tree's death or severe damage.

Sempra Halosulfuron 750wg Herbicide is for the selective, post-emergence control of nutgrass in sugarcane, corn or maize and sorghum and the selective post-emergence control of nutgrass and Mullumbimby couch in turf and established pasture. The APVMA registered 'directions for use' (found on the product screen under the heading SDS & Technical tab) state ", Situation : Established Pasture - Rate: 2 applications of 65-100grms /ha (use the higher rate of Sempra for dense infestations).

Regarding Adjuvants/Penetrants, we recommend Penatrol Spray Oil Adjuvant (rate: 500mL per100L), Effectivoil Spray Adjuvant (rate: 300mL – 1L / 100L), Protec Plus Spray Adjuvant (200mL – 1L / 100), Consume Penetrant (200mL / 100L) or Eurochem Penetrant ((200mL / 100L).

Please note there is a withholding period of 10 weeks for grazing livestock and cutting for fodder after treatment. Always carefully read the 'directions for use' before application. 

Sempra Herbicide is not registered for the control of Bamboo, and to the best of our knowledge, we are unaware of any 'off-label' recommendations or permits advising it to be used for this purpose.  A limited number of active ingredients are registered with the APVMA for the control of Bamboo.  These include Glyphosate & Flupropanate.  Glyphosate can be applied as spot spray (remove tops of bamboo shoots and spot spray actively growing foliage and regrowth 1–2 m high) rate: 100mL to 10L water, or cut stump (cut stems back to 20 cm tall and immediately pour herbicide down the hollow stem and wet the cut) rate:  1:6.  You will need to monitor treated areas regularly for any new regrowth. 

Regarding tree-killing pellets, we recommend herbicides made from Tebuthiuron (such as Graslan or Tebulex).   These herbicides are registered to control Brigalow and Teatree regrowth, Mimosa Pigra and certain problem woody weeds.  Bamboo is not listed on the registration as a controlled species.   Tebuthiuron targets broadleaf plant species, which does not include Bamboo.

No information on the Sempra Herbicide or Dicamba M/Kamba M label indicates physical compatibility with other products.  A small-scale' jar test' is recommended before mixing more significant quantities if you intend to mix Sempra Herbicide with other products in a tank mix.  This testing should consist of assessing both uniformed mixtures (i.e. no separation) and no rapid sediment build-up (i.e. no flocculation).

The Sempra Herbicide is only going to be effective on actively growing Nutgrass.  If the Nutgrass has been in the soil and allowed to seed for several seasons, then there will be a vast number of 'nuts' yet to germinate, which may take 3-5 years.

The manufacturer of Sempra Herbicide does not have any data that define the plant back interval for Lucerne.  This means the plant back interval of 24 months should be observed after the last application of Sempra.  If you require further clarification, you might like to contact the manufacturer, Nufarm, on 0392 821 000.

The label for the Grazon DS equivalent products or Grazon Extra Herbicide does not list if it is compatible with Sempra Herbicide.  This is more likely that the product has not been tested or trialled by the manufacturer with this chemical combination as it is an uncommon tank mix.  Sempra and Metsulfuron are both Sulfonylurea Herbicides.  As Grazon is compatible with Metsulfuron-methyl, a tank mix with Sempra Herbicide will likely be acceptable. Still, as this is an 'off-label' tank mix, a jar test before mixing and a test application should be undertaken.

Sempra Herbicide is the recommended option to control Navua sedge.  If used via a Knapsack, you will require 81grams of Sempra (1gm/10L water/100m2) to cover 2 acres.  Application by boom will require 53gm-81gm to cover 2 acres.  Note that you will need to double this quantity due to the required repeat application.  The Withholding Period on pasture if the livestock is being sent for slaughter is 'not to graze livestock or cut for fodder or forage for ten (10) weeks after treatment.'  If the animals are not being slaughtered, then the WHP does not apply.  The ideal time to spray Navua sedge is when it is actively growing following the opening wet season rains (i.e. September - May).  Apply two applications of Sempra 10 weeks apart to optimise control of Navua sedge present at the first application and subsequent germinations before the second application.  We recommend reading the Sempra Herbicide Grazing Pasture Manual before application.

The mixing rate of Sempra depends on where you are spraying, how you are spraying and the weeds you are targeting.  We recommend you read the Sempra directions for use before use.  Our website provides these directions in the 'SDS and Technical' tab for every product. 

For example - Turf / Lawn mixing rate for Nutgrass control:  Established Turf (Bentgrass, Buffalo grass, Carpet grass, Couch, Couch hybrid, Durban grass, Kikuyu grass, Perennial Ryegrass, Queensland blue couch & Tall Fescue  – mix 1.3 g in 10L of water (plus surfactant @ 10mL per 10-Litre Water - i.e. Reactor Wetter 600 Surfactant) per 100 square metres (refer to Directions of Use before application)

Sempra Herbicide doesn't provide any claims for use in Soybean crops.  As this would be 'off-label' use, we suggest speaking with the manufacturer, Nufarm, on 1800 683 276 to see if they can provide extra data or information for this use.

Specialist Sales has an extensive range of wetting agents, surfactants and adjuvants suitable for use with Sempra Herbicide.  A non-ionic surfactant, such as Reactor Wetter 600 or Wetter 1000, is ideal for Sempra. If you want the premium penetrants to guarantee the best results, we recommend Organosilicone products such as Consume Penetrant.

Sempra Herbicide is not registered or recommended for use in Vegetable Patches.  Halosulfuron-Methyl is from the Urea-Sulfonyl chemical group, where residue and plant back periods are standard.

As Sempra only targets plants from the Sedge family, roses close to poisoned nutgrass should be fine.  If you plan on painting the nutgrass then that will ensure an even safer application around the roses as there will not be any spray drift.

Sempra Herbicide is registered to selectively target Mullumbimby Couch & Nutgrass, both of the sedge family of plants.  Many other plants in the garden are likely broadleaf or grasses.  Unfortunately, the registration does not include other garden species, so the utmost care would need to be taken to avoid spraying non-target plants.  Avoid spraying the plants in your garden that you are unsure about.  However, unless they are part of the sedge family, death or damage should be minimal (but can't be guaranteed).

Sempra Herbicide is compatible to be tank-mixed with Glyphosate (Roundup) and Ammonium Sulphate.  There should not be any antagonism between these products if they are mixed at the recommended rates.  The recommended rates Sempra should be mixed at are 1.3gm/10L, Glyphosate 7mL-10mL/10L and Ammonium Sulphate at 80g/10L.

The Sempra Herbicide (Halosulfuron) does not have any fumes or smells that will affect nearby Roses like some broadleaf sprays do (ie MCPA & 24D Amine).  When spraying close to any non-target species (ie Roses) always try to avoid spray drift.   

Sempra (Halosulfuron) is a selective herbicide that selectively targets Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus) in Turf.  The species of turf listed on Sempra's label includes Bent Lawn, Buffalo Grass, Carpet Grass, Common Couch, Durban Grass (sweet smother grass), Hybrid Couch, Kikuyu, Perennial Ryegrass, Queensland Blue Couch & Tall Fescue.  

Zoysia is likely missing from the host turf species list as it was never included in the initial trials done when registering Sempra.  There is no mention of Sempra being detrimental to Zoysia on the label.  As Zoysia is not listed on the label it is recommended to do a trial on a small area prior to full application.

We have had customers use Halosulfuron (Sempra) on Zoysia with good results, however as this is an 'off-label' application a trial is always recommended.