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2,4-D 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About 2,4-D
This guide includes the following sections:
What Is 2,4-D?
2,4-D is a selective, systemic herbicide that can be applied as a burndown, pre-emergence, post-emergence, and pre-harvest application to control annual, biennial, and perennial broadleaf weeds in agricultural and non-agricultural settings.
2,4-D is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world and is registered for use in terrestrial and aquatic environments. In agricultural applications, 2,4-D is often used in corn, soybean, cereal grain, sorghum, and sugarcane crops. Some formulations are labeled for use in fruit, vegetable, and tree nut crops.
It is also widely used to manage pasture and fallow acres. Some 2,4-D formulations may be applied in-season over the top of tolerant crops, including cotton, corn, and soybeans. Non-agricultural applications include forestry, right-of-way, waterway, and turf management.
The active ingredient was first registered for use in the United States in 1948. In 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered the first over-the-top 2,4-D herbicide, Enlist Duo® (2,4-D choline + glyphosate), for use on tolerant soybean, corn, and cotton varieties. In 2017, it followed up with a registration for Enlist® One, which only contains 2,4-D choline salt.
2,4-D Formulations
2,4-D is available in many formulations that have evolved over time. Some of the most common formulations used in agricultural applications are listed below. Generally, ester formulations are more likely to drift than salt formulations; however, amine salt formulations may not be as efficacious as ester formulations. 2,4-D choline salt formulations are less prone to drift and volatilization compared to ester and amine salts and are registered for over-the-top use on tolerant crops.
Formulation | Product Example | Notes |
2,4-D 2-ethylhexyl ester (EHE) | Ester formulations may be more volatile, especially under hot, dry conditions. They are a good choice for early spring or fall applications when temperatures are lower. 2,4-D LV4 and 2,4-D LV6 are low-volatile ester formulations that contain long-chain esters that are less prone to volatility. | |
2,4D dimethylamine (DMA) salt | Alligare Dicamba 2,4-D DMA, Weedmaster® Herbicide, Veritas® D | DMAs are typically less volatile than ester formulations, but they are also less soluble on the weed’s cuticle, resulting in less effective weed control than esters. However, they may be less likely to injure crops than esters. DMAs are a good choice for spring burndown applications where sensitive plants are a concern. |
2,4-D choline salt | Chlorine salt is registered for over-the-top use in tolerant corn, cotton, and soybean crops. It is less volatile than DMA salt and ester formulations. |
How Does 2,4-D Work?
2,4-D is a Group 4 site-of-action herbicide (synthetic auxin) in the phenoxy carboxylate family, which also includes MCPA. It mimics the natural plant hormone auxin to stimulate rapid, uncontrolled cell division in sensitive plants. Eventually, the affected plant’s vascular tissue is destroyed, leading to plant death.
Group 4 and Group 19 herbicides are collectively referred to as plant growth regulators and include dicamba, clopyralid*, and fluroxypyr active ingredients, among others.
How Long Does 2,4-D Take to Work?
Weed control timing may be highly variable (days to weeks), depending on conditions. Since 2,4-D is a systemic herbicide, favorable growing conditions will result in faster plant uptake, translocation, and weed kill. Injury symptoms may develop quickly in sensitive crops, especially under favorable growing conditions.
Variables affecting 2,4-D efficacy can include:
Temperature
Relative humidity
Rainfall following application
Soil moisture
Plant stress
Light availability
Many crops, including non-tolerant cotton, grapes, sweet potatoes, and tobacco, are susceptible to even low rates of 2,4-D, so it’s important to watch for symptoms of 2,4-D injury in non-target plants due to drift or volatilization. You may notice leaf cupping, stunted growth, or delayed or reduced crop flowering in sensitive crops exposed to 2,4-D via drift or volatilization.
2,4-D Application Best Practices
As a systemic herbicide, 2,4-D is most effective under conditions that favor healthy plant growth.
2,4-D may be used as a burndown herbicide in corn and soybean crops and is also an option for terminating cover crops ahead of cash crop planting. When using 2,4-D in spring burndown applications, it is important to follow all plant back restrictions to avoid seedling injury in emerging crops.
2,4-D may also be used post-emergence in cereal grains, sorghum, corn, and other crops to manage broadleaf weeds. Enlist® herbicides (2,4-D choline) may be sprayed over the top of 2,4-D tolerant corn, cotton, and soybeans.
Typical burndown rates for GCS 2,4-D LV 6 Ester in corn and soybeans are shown below.
Application Timing | Use Rate (pt/Ac) | Label Notes |
Preplant burndown corn | ⅔ to 1 ⅓ | For best results, growth conditions should be favorable for active weed growth. Use high rate in rate range for less susceptible weeds, cover crops such as alfalfa, weeds in advanced stages of development, or under less favorable growth conditions. Apply 7 to 14 days before planting corn to control emerged broadleaf weed seedlings or existing cover crops. |
Preplant burndown soybeans | ½ to ⅔ | Apply not less than 7 days before planting soybeans. For best results, apply when weeds are small and actively growing. Compatible crop oil concentrates, agricultural surfactants, and fluid fertilizers approved for use on growing crops may be added to spray mixtures to increase the herbicidal effectiveness on certain weeds. |
Preplant burndown soybeans | ⅔ to 1 ⅓ | Apply not less than 15 days before planting soybeans. For best results, apply when weeds are small and actively growing. Use the higher rate in the respective rate range for larger weeds and when perennials are present. Compatible crop oil concentrates, agricultural surfactants, and fluid fertilizers approved for use on growing crops may be added to spray mixtures to increase the herbicidal effectiveness on certain weeds. |
2,4-D application rates will vary depending on the:
Product
Application timing
Crop
Targeted weed species
Environmental conditions
Consult the herbicide label for specific application requirements and suitable tank mix partners.
2,4-D can damage susceptible crops through drift and volatilization. To protect non-target plants, follow label instructions and best application practices. Adding a drift reduction adjuvant, such as Tether 24™, can help keep 2,4-D spray applications on target while preventing hard water tie-up in the tank mix.
How to Tank Mix with 2,4-D
For broad-spectrum grass and broadleaf weed control, 2,4-D can be tank-mixed with compatible herbicides and applied as a burndown, pre-emergence, post-emergence, or pre-harvest application, depending on the crop. Review specific 2,4-D product labels for compatible tank mix partners and recommended adjuvants.
Common 2,4-D tank mix partners for a fall burndown application include:
Over-the-top 2,4-D herbicides may have more restrictive tank mix partner requirements. Review label requirements before tank mixing with over-the-top 2,4-D herbicides.
Are you spray-compliant? Find out what farmers need to know about the proposed EPA herbicide label updates in this FBN blog.
2,4-D Resistance Management
2,4-D has been widely used in agricultural production for decades, making it a vulnerable target for developing herbicide resistance. The International Herbicide-Resistant Weed Database reports that 44 weed species are resistant to Group 4 herbicides worldwide as of 2024.
2,4-D-resistant Palmer amaranth populations have expanded throughout the southern United States over the past decade. In 2021, a 2,4-D-resistant waterhemp population was identified in Iowa, making the herbicide less effective on these troublesome weeds.
Tips to Slow the Development of 2,4-D-Resistant Weed Populations
Make timely herbicide applications when weeds are 4” or smaller
Use multiple sites and modes of action
Employ crop rotation to diversify herbicides
Use full herbicide rates and layered residuals to extend the window of weed control
Add effective adjuvants to improve spray performance and plant uptake
Scout fields after applications to verify the application was effective
Add cultural or mechanical weed control practices, including tillage where appropriate
Learn how to manage 5,000+ pests through the FBN Pest Solutions pages.
2,4-D Human and Environmental Safety Guidelines
2,4-D Human Safety Guidelines
2,4-D generally has low toxicity for humans when best safety practices are employed, including:
Do not enter treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) or until the spray solution has dried. The REI may extend up to 48 hours, depending on the product’s formulation.
When handling 2,4-D, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including a long shirt, pants, and closed-toed shoes.
Wash your hands after handling the herbicide and remove clothing and PPE immediately if the product gets on them.
Follow all label instructions to ensure the safe use of 2,4-D.
2,4-D Environmental Safety Guidelines
In general, 2,4-D is low to moderately toxic to birds, mammals, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. According to the U.S. EPA, it also has low toxicity to honeybees.
However, many specialty crops, ornamental species, and row crops are sensitive to 2,4-D exposure. To avoid off-target movement, follow all label instructions when spraying 2,4-D and use these best application practices:
Avoid applications when weather conditions favor drift or volatilization from treated areas. Even a small amount of herbicide moving off-target from treated fields may injure crops miles away.
Use the label recommended spray nozzles, spray volumes, boom height, and sprayer ground speed.
Add required and/or recommended adjuvants to reduce the risk of off-target movement.
Carefully clean equipment following a 2,4-D application. Be mindful of residual chemicals that could injure non-tolerant crops.
Buy 2,4-D from FBN
FBN offers many 2,4-D formulations to fit your broadleaf weed control needs.
Soybeans: Consider combining GCS 2,4-D LV 6 Ester and Willowood Glypho 5 as a fall burndown application.
Sorghum: Combine Alligare 2,4-D Amine*, GCS Atrazine 4L*, and bromoxynil for effective postemergence weed control in sorghum.
Enlist cotton, corn, and soybeans: Apply Enlist One or Enlist Duo®* with compatible tank mix partners for an over-the-top weed control solution in tolerant crops.
For a complete weed control solution, add label-recommended adjuvants like FieldGrip™ DRA for even more cost savings.
With a convenient online platform, transparent pricing, and direct-to-farm delivery available on your schedule, FBN puts Farmers First®.
Related Resources
Herbicides 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Herbicides
Crop Nutrition 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Crop Nutrition
Clethodim 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Clethodim
Glufosinate 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Glufosinate
Glyphosate 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Glyphosate
Fungicides 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Fungicides
Insecticides 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Insecticides
Inoculants 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Inoculants
Biostimulants 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Biostimulants
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