Flushing spray equipment with water is an effective way to remove residues of which type of herbicides?

Flushing spray equipment with water is particularly effective for removing residues of growth regulator herbicides. This type of herbicide works by disrupting normal plant growth processes, which means they often bind strongly to plant tissues and are designed to remain effective over time. However, when it comes to spray equipment, they can be more challenging to completely remove once mixed with the residual components in the tank.

Using water to flush the equipment helps dissolve and displace these residues, preventing potential injury to non-target plants during future applications. This practice is crucial because growth regulators can have unintended effects if residues remain in the equipment and are transferred to subsequent spray applications.

In contrast, other herbicide types have different characteristics: selective herbicides target specific plants while sparing others, contact herbicides act on contact with the plant without residual activity, and residual herbicides remain active in the soil for extended periods. These properties influence how effectively flushing with water might clean the equipment, making it essential to understand the specific requirements for handling each type properly.