I'm wanting to use a 2,4-D Amine formulation to treat American Lotus in a 3 acre pond. Only the back shallow areas (about 1 acre) are infested with the weed, and I was hoping that I could treat only that area next spring. It's my understanding that the 2,4-D pellet version can be used to spot treat certain pond areas since they are effective at attacking the root system in a more systematic absorption way rather than by contact. However, I'm not sure about the liquid 2,4-D version. Can I treat only the affected area with the liquid or will wave motion dilute it too much to be effective ? The product label for the liquid is not definitive for piecemeal applications, but only about product amounts per acre feet. Has anyone had any experience using either of the liquid or pellet versions ? The pellets are considerably more expensive so I'm hoping to use the liquid.

Hi squeeky.
I'm an agricultural engineer and I talk to you about my knowledge of herbicides and lotus (nelumbo nucifera; the american lotus is nelumbo lutea but it's similar).
In my opinion you can efficiently use the 2.4-D in liquid form, taking care to mix it with a special surfactant that allows the product to stick to the water-repellent lotus leaves, otherwise the herbicide would end up in the pond water without results.
2.4-D is a systemic herbicide, so it is essential that is absorbed by the leaves to be translocated to the rhizomes.

Thanks for the input. I'm thinking about using 1 gal 2,4-D with 25 gallons of water plus a surfactant for a 1 acre area - not sure about the type of surfactant though.

Cide Kick II is the surfactant I always use for Lotus. Lotus leaves are waxy, and need a good surfactant.

+1 I agree with Al... IMO a good surfactant improves the performance of both herbicides and algaecides. Some come with the surfactant already in the product so read the label. There are several good surfactants on the market (I use Cygnet Plus). Make sure you get one that states it is non-ionic and ok for pond use.

I know this is a total different application than what I am doing, but I am applying 2-4-d to my broadleaf yard weeds while the grass is dormant. I used a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent as a surfactant. The guy at the store I bought it from recommended the soap. I have used soap while applying cutrine to pond plants before.

squeeky, I've had to treat 5 acres of lotus over the last 3-4 years. I'd go with an approved aquatic surfactant. Surfactant's also have dosage recommendations like herbicides, so I'd be sure and add it to the mix as recommended by the manufacturer.

Thanks for all the info input on this problem. FireisHot - how successful were you in eliminating the Lotus ? Can you comment on the type of spraying equipment that was used ? I had planned on using a 25 gal portable UTV sprayer in a boat. I also have a large trailer mounted 300 gal pasture sprayer equipped with hand sprayer that I could probably access about a third of the Lotus from the bank.

Squeeky, the actual treating of the lotus was pretty successful. If the plants flowered, you'll probably get popup plants from floating seed heads for several years to come, so don't be surprised about that.

I used my boat with a 25 gal rig for the majority of the spraying, moved that same spray rig to my ATV for shallow water mop up, and now just use a Stihl backpack sprayer to kill the newly emerging shoreline plants.

I did replace the motor with a stronger 5.5 GPM pump with 1/2" quick change fittings, and built 20' and 50' hoses, with both having stainless steel adjustable spray pattern guns. The guns and fittings I got online at PW Mall, and went with stainless steel guns to keep corrosion from copper based products to a minimum. The 1/2" chem hoses and guns weren't inexpensive, but they are bullet proof, and still get heavy usage.

I also added a few oz's of blue pasture dye to each tankful. It makes it much easier to tell which plants got treated, and which didn't. I use a glyphosate, so I've got no advice on a liquid 2 4-D, but there's no need to "paint" the plants when treating. You just need to be able to visually verify the lotus plant leaf's got sprayed.

I had patches so dense, I had to wader up and pull the spray boat through all that mess. Zero lotus is there today.