What should you do if herbicide application fails and hard water is identified as a factor?

Using a water-acidifying agent is the most effective action when hard water is identified as a factor in herbicide application failure. Hard water contains high levels of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that can bind to herbicides, reducing their effectiveness. This binding can lead to a significant decrease in the herbicide's ability to be absorbed by the plant, diminishing its control over targeted weeds.

By using a water-acidifying agent, you lower the pH of the water, which can help to enhance the solubility of certain herbicides and minimize the interaction between the herbicide and the hard water minerals. This adjustment improves the herbicide's availability to the target weeds and, therefore, its overall effectiveness.

Increasing water volume may dilute the herbicide but usually does not address the underlying issue of hard water interference. Changing the herbicide selection could be a viable option, but it might not be necessary if the primary issue relates to water quality. Switching to soft water is not always feasible for all applications, especially if infrastructure does not allow for it or if soft water sources are not readily available. Hence, using a water-acidifying agent is a targeted approach to ensure better efficacy of herbicides in hard water situations.