--- title: SPEC SHEET - Nufarm Crucial 600 Herbicide - 200720 canonical: https://fernland.com.au/documents/662/ dateModified: 2026-07-12 07:54:43 summary: Technical Sheet type: tech_sheet --- # SPEC SHEET - Nufarm Crucial 600 Herbicide - 200720 > Technical Sheet # Nufarm Technical Guide: CRUCIAL ## Page 1 **Nufarm** **CRUCIAL®** **ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY HERBICIDE** **Your all-in-one blueprint for that crucial advantage.** [Diagram: A circular schematic (FIG. 1) labeled with: UNRIVALLED USE PATTERNS^, EXCELLENT EFFICACY, UNIQUE FIRST TO MARKET TECHNOLOGY. A cylindrical container schematic (FIG. 2) labeled with: TRIPLE SALT, TRIPLE SURFACTANT, 600 LOAD, EASY POURING, GUARANTEED TANK MIXING*, EXCELLENT RAINFASTNESS AND SPRAY-TO-SOW.] **Unrivalled intelligence.** We’ve cracked the code. Triple salt. Triple surfactant. 600 load. It’s first to market glyphosate technology; researched, designed, and formulated in Australia. It’s for the innovators, the ground-breakers, the growers like you, with the vision to move first. CRUCIAL by Nufarm is the all-in-one, the complete package, your blueprint for intelligent weed control. We’ve cut no corners, covered every angle and added cutting-edge detail, to make it easier for you. Streamline your masterplan with CRUCIAL, and discover the new benchmark against which success is measured. For more information visit ^Subject to regulatory approvals *With other recommended Nufarm products **Nufarm** **Grow a better tomorrow** --- ## Page 2 **Development** **Nufarm Australia’s Single, Dual and Triple Salt development.** | SINGLE SALT | DUAL SALT | TRIPLE SALT | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | '80s - '90s | '00s - '13 | 2013 - | | Unique Formulations | Cutting-edge formulations | Lab testing begins on first triple salt experimental formulations | [Image: A timeline graphic showing 2013 to 2019, with a jar filled with spheres representing the "Worlds First TRIPLE SALT formulation"] **Unrivalled Intelligence.** 30+ Years in the making 100+ Field Trials... our largest EVER 200+ Protected Data Studies **Triple salts unique combination of** • Potassium • Monomethylamine • Mono-ammonium **Packaged with leading surfactants** **Providing** • A liquid with a 600 g/L loading • Fast plant uptake • Proven and market leading compatibility **Allowing** • Fast brownout • Short spray to sow timings • Outstanding efficacy • The widest registered uses OTT * * OTT - Over The Top of glyphosate tolerant crops (subject to regulatory approvals) --- ## Page 3 **Efficacy** With 100 in-field trials, it’s Nufarm’s most extensive trial program ever. Combined with our most extensive laboratory compatibility testing ever, and you’ve got the proof that performance measures up to the hype. **EFFICACY – BROADLEAF WEED CONTROL** [Chart: Percentage (%) Average Broadleaf Weed Control – 10 trials (2016-2017)] The 0.5N or half rate treatments are used in glyphosate trial work to understand how formulations perform under extremely challenging conditions. The results after 10 days at half rate, show that CRUCIAL is a very reliable and robust formulation, under a wide range of conditions, performing very strongly compared to Roundup UltraMax. The results after 25 days at half rate, again show that CRUCIAL is a very reliable and robust formulation, under a wide range of conditions, performing very strongly compared to Roundup UltraMax. The earlier assessment reflects rapid uptake, translocation and brownout; while the later assessment is representative of final control. **WEEDS** • Fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) • Erodium (Erodium spp.) • Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) • Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola) • Wild buckwheat (Fallopia convolvulus) • Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) • Turnip weed (Rapistrum rugosum) **EFFICACY – GRASS WEED CONTROL** [Chart: Percentage (%) Average Grass Weed Control – 10 trials (2016-2017)] **WEEDS** • Sterile oat (Avena sterilis) • Rescuegrass (Ceratochloa cathartica) • Ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) • Barnyard grass (Echinochloa colonum) • Wild oat (Avena fatua) • Liverseed Grass (Urochloa panicoides) • Crab Grass (Eleusine indic) **KEY** [ ] Ave. 10 DAA [ ] Ave. 25 DAA Letters of significance should only be compared for each assessment timing. 10 days = 1st Column 25 days = 2nd Column (in each branded treatment) --- ## Page 4 **Independent EXPERT Opinion** **Glyphosate formulations all differ.** "The combination of glyphosate salts and surfactant systems have a dramatic effect on how a glyphosate formulation performs in the field. Weed control differences between formulations can be observed when they are applied under less than ideal conditions, such as stressed weeds or weeds that are developing herbicide resistance" Dr Peter Boutsalis and Dr Sam Kleeman from Plant Science Consulting tested Nufarm’s new CRUCIAL glyphosate product, and 4 other formulations, and compared the efficacy in controlling glyphosate resistant ryegrass. **CRUCIAL EFFICACY** [Chart: % Control Resistant Ryegrass (28 days after treatment)] "Crucial was more effective on the strong resistant ryegrass biotype" - Dr Peter Boutsalis **Level of glyphosate ai required to obtain an LD50 compared to CRUCIAL** | | Ryegrass | Sowthistle | Barnyard grass | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | CRUCIAL | 100% | 100% | 100% | | Product A - 540g/L glyphosate | 124% | 143% | 163% | | Product B - 570g/L glyphosate | 131% | 150% | 108% | | Product C - 510g/L glyphosate | 151% | 185% | 202% | | Product D - 540g/L glyphosate | 117% | 138% | 184% | Plant Science Consulting conducted a series of trials on weeds moderately resistant to glyphosate and they discovered a significant difference between glyphosate formulations on the mortality of ryegrass, sow thistle and barnyard grass. Dr Boutsalis was able to calculate the level of glyphosate active required from the different formulations to obtain the glyphosate LD50 on these weeds. The LD50 is defined as the amount of herbicide required for 50% mortality of the population. --- ## Page 5 **Speed of Uptake** Quick and effective. CRUCIAL penetrates the leaf and translocates FAST... meaning FAST brownout, SHORT rainfastness, 1 HOUR spray-to-sow and the confidence of a great knockdown job – even with showers forecast or the seeder close behind. **UPTAKE AND TRANSLOCATION** [Image: Autoradiographs of treated ryegrass plants (24 hours after application) comparing weedmaster ARGO and CRUCIAL] The CRUCIAL treated ryegrass shows much more red in the root system, demonstrating faster penetration, translocation and accumulation of glyphosate into the root system when CRUCIAL is used. Better translocation of glyphosate through the main leaf and tiller is also evident. Faster uptake and translocation means more glyphosate translocated through the plant faster. This drives faster visual brownout, short rainfastness and short spray-to-sow periods. **UPTAKE OVER TIME** [Chart: Glyphosate uptake from different formulations into treated ryegrass over time] CRUCIAL demonstrated superior penetration, translocation and accumulation compared to weedmaster ARGO. These results are consistent with results seen in other field and glasshouse trials. This fast uptake and translocation is critical for driving; • fast visual brownout; • rainfastness; • spray-to-sow periods; • and registrations such as pre-harvest, where it is important to shut down and kill weeds as fast as possible, to minimise the amount of viable seed weeds can set. Rainfall occurring up to 1 hour of daylight after application may reduce effectiveness, heavy rainfall may wash the chemical off the foliage and a repeat treatment may be required. --- ## Page 6 **Fast Brownout** [Images: Comparison of Nufarm CRUCIAL and Roundup UltraMax at Day 1, Day 15, and Day 26] In an unreplicated glyphosate formulation demonstration at Kialla East, Victoria we tested the efficacy and brownout of CRUCIAL against a number of other market-leading formulations. Conducted over 27 days at 1080g ai/ha, CRUCIAL demonstrated excellent performance. **Viscosity** It’s all about speed... Farmers want their operation to be as efficient as possible, so being able to suck or pour out of the drum as quickly as possible is a high priority. Even though CRUCIAL has 600g/L active and is stacked with a full surfactant package, it pours just as fast as weedmaster ARGO per litre.... and the 600 load saves time by allowing for more hectares per litre than other formulations. [Image: Bottle of CRUCIAL in ice, labeled "CRUCIAL. Liquid at -15°C"] --- ## Page 7 **CRUCIAL Registrations** CRUCIAL has the widest ever label package of any glyphosate formulation, including in-crop over the top registrations. Our new look label is indexed, making it easier to read and follow. • **FALLOW AND PRE-SOWING**: Consolidates all registered uses of glyphosate in this use period • **WEED CONTROL TABLE**: Laid out in an easy to read format • **FLEABANE CONTROL FOR FALLOW AND PRE-SOWING - MIXTURES WITH AMICIDE ADVANCE 700**: Unique Nufarm registration • **CANOLA - ROUNDUP READY***: Registered for use OTT in Roundup Ready Canola • **PRE AND POST HARVEST USES, PASTURE TOPPING**: Consolidates all registered uses of glyphosate in this use period • **OPTICAL SPOT SPRAY TECHNOLOGIES**: unique Nufarm registration to allow for rates in OSST equipment • **POST SOW PRE-EMERGENT (PSPE) USES, SHIELDED SPRAYERS AND BAND SPRAYING**: Consolidates all registered uses of glyphosate in this use period • **BRUSH AND WOODY WEEDS - MIXTURES WITH ASSOCIATE**: Consolidates all registered uses of glyphosate in this use period • **UNWANTED TREE CONTROL**: Consolidates all registered uses of glyphosate in this use period • **GENERAL WEED CONTROL - (HANDGUN, KNAPSACK, TREE AND VINE CROPS)**: Consolidates all registered uses of glyphosate in this use period (excludes aquatic uses) • **CANOLA - HYBRIDS WITH THE OPTIMUM GLY® HERBICIDE TOLERANCE TRAIT**: A Nufarm unique registration for OPTIMUM GLY (R) herbicide tolerant canola • **CANOLA - TRUFLEX* WITH ROUNDUP READY* TECHNOLOGY**: Registration for use across the new Truflex trait • **COTTON - ROUNDUP READY FLEX***: Registration for use across the Roundup Ready Flex trait in cotton [Image: Fig 1. Nufarm CRUCIAL in a 500ml beaker] --- ## Page 8 **Compatibility** Simply outstanding... The CRUCIAL formulation features outstanding compatibility, with a very wide range of tank-mix partners.... scientifically PROVEN by the most extensive compatibility testing ever conducted by the Nufarm labs. That means LESS hassle, LESS stress and MORE confidence. **EXTENSIVELY TRIALLED '18 '19** The compatibility lab trial below is just a small sample of the huge number of trials undertaken. CRUCIAL demonstrated outstanding compatibility compared to other market-leading high-load glyphosate products. [Images: Comparison of 540 Single K-Salt Glyphosate + 625 2,4-D vs. CRUCIAL + Amicide Advance 700 vs. Roundup Ultramax K-Salt Glyphosate + 625 2,4-D at 15 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours.] As you can see, after only 15 minutes there is significant crystallisation in the 540 single k-salt glyphosate and 625 2,4-D mix. The CRUCIAL and Amicide Advance 700 mix, remains clear with no crystallisation, and clearly shows CRUCIAL’S outstanding compatibility, even in hard water. Fast forward 24 hours and the superior compatibility of CRUCIAL and Amicide Advance 700 is evident, with no change since agitation. Like the 540 single K-salt glyphosate on the left, Roundup Ultramax and the 625 2,4-D also show significant crystallisation after just 15 minutes. This highlights the commonality between 540 and 570 single K-salt glyphosate formulations and their big weakness, compatibility. --- ## Page 9 **CRUCIAL compatibility testing results** • Products are listed in order of mixing • All tested at 50L water per ha • All water is hard water (3WHO - 1000ppm) **KEY** [Checkmark] Compatible with constant agitation • Tank Mix good [Checkmark in box] Compatible with constant agitation • Tank mix may fail at high loads • May have issues on standing (no agitation) [X] NOT Compatible • Tank mixes badly • Settles • Breaks emulsions | Products by name | Rate | Result | Products by name | Rate | Result | Products by name | Rate | Result | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Boxer Gold® | 2.5 L/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | | Striker® | 150 mL/ha | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Kamba® 750 | 160 mL/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | | Sakura® | 118 g/ha | | Bromicide® 200 | 1.5 L/ha | | Collide® 700 | 0.1 % | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Atradex | 1.1 Kg/ha | | | Triflur X® | 3.0 L/ha | | Trooper 75D | 1.0 L/ha | | Triflur X | 2.0 L/ha | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Astound Duo | 100 mL/ha | | | Avadex Xtra® | 3.2 L/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | | Chlorpyrifos | 700 mL/ha | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Amicide Advance® 700 | 1.2 L/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | | Comet® 400 | 750 mL/ha | | CRUCIAL (refer label) | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Estercide Xtra 680 | 800 mL/ha | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Butisan® | 1.8 L/ha | | Grando® | 150 mL/ha | | | Diurex® | 2.0 L/ha | | Sentry® | 50 gm/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Collide 700 | 0.25 % | | | Balance® | 100 gm/ha | | Simagranz® | 1.1 kg/ha | | Nail® 240 | 75 mL/ha | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | | Terbazine® | 1.4 Kg/ha | | Atradex | 1.1 kg/ha | | Banjo® | 0.5 % | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Nail 600 | 32 mL/ha | | | Estercide Xtra® 680 | 800 mL/ha | | Associate® | 8 gm/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Banjo | 0.5 % | | | Rustler® | 1 L/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | | Terrain® | 700 gm/ha | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Cobber® 475 | 1.7 L/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | | | | | Spraymate Liase® | 2.0 %V/V | | Banjo | 0.5 % | | | | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Grando | 150 mL/ha | | | | | | Sakura | 0.2 Kg/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | | | | | Avadex Xtra | 3.2 L/ha | | Banjo | 0.5 % | | | | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | Diurex | 1.0 kg/ha | | | | | | Triflur X | 2.0 L/ha | | Spark | 200 mL/ha | | | | | | Avadex Xtra | 3.2 L/ha | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | | | | | Astound Duo® | 100 mL/ha | | | | | | | | | CRUCIAL | 1.3 L/ha | [Check] | | | | Only the brands listed above have been tested. If using alternative brands seek professional advice. Total triazine volume within the mix has not been tested. e.g if mixing Atrazine+simazine testing has not been undertaken. Do not use primary filters finer than 50 mesh or inline filters finer than 80 mesh. Filters should be checked and cleaned after each tank load. --- ## Page 10 **Safety and Stewardship** **Who regulates glyphosate and how do they decide if it’s safe?** Before any agricultural chemical product can be manufactured or sold it must be assessed and registered by the relevant regulator. Regulatory bodies in major agricultural markets are independent government bodies and product assessments are based on extensive review of scientific data. Regulatory assessments typically include studies of residue, toxicology, eco-toxicology, environmental effects, product chemistry and efficacy studies. Regulators consider both published and unpublished scientific studies in determining whether a product is safe for use. Based on their assessment, regulators decide whether to register the product, specify the conditions under which it is permitted for use, and prescribe specific safety precautions and warnings to be included on the product label. Once a product has been registered for use, regulators have the right to reconsider the approval or registration at any time. Reconsideration may be initiated when new research or evidence raises concerns about the use or safety of the product. **The current regulatory view of the safety of glyphosate.** Independent regulators in every major agricultural market in the world have assessed the risks of glyphosate to humans and the environment. Without exception, these regulators have determined that glyphosate is safe to use in accordance with label directions. Each of the regulatory agencies listed on the top right reviewed the registration of glyphosate following its classification by IARC as a probable carcinogen in 2015. --- ## Page 11 “The weight-of-evidence suggests there is no carcinogenic risk related to the use of glyphosate.” THE EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY (2015) “The available scientific evidence did not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate as a carcinogen, as a mutagen or as toxic for reproduction.” THE EUROPEAN CHEMICALS AGENCY (2017) “Glyphosate does not pose a cancer risk to humans when used in accordance with the label instructions.” THE AUSTRALIAN PESTICIDES AND VETERINARY MEDICINES AUTHORITY (2016) “Glyphosate is unlikely to be genotoxic or carcinogenic.” THE NEW ZEALAND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY (2016) “The overall weight of evidence indicates that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a human cancer risk.” HEALTH CANADA’S PEST MANAGEMENT REGULATORY AGENCY (2015) “EPA continues to find that there are no risks to public health when glyphosate is used in accordance with its current label and that glyphosate is not a carcinogen.” THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY (2019) “Based on studies currently available on glyphosate, there is evidence suggesting absence of carcinogenicity in humans.” THE BRAZILIAN HEALTH REGULATORY AGENCY ANVISA (2019) **Stewardship of glyphosate** Nufarm is committed to ensure that its activities present a high level of protection for the health and safety of its employees, customers, the public and the environment. This is lived through one of Nufarm’s four core values: Responsibility: We are accountable for our decisions and our actions. We recognise that trust is at the foundation of relationships and that acting ethically, safely and responsibly creates that trust. It is important that anyone involved in any chemical handling activity with Nufarm products understands the formal documentation (APVMA Approved Product labels and Safety Data Sheets) that Nufarm provides with the product. This applies to product handling where activities include the storage, transport, handling and/or application of glyphosate. For our growers, we defer to accredited training programs on the safe use of products. These courses are delivered by Registered Training Organisations under the Australian Qualification Framework and are typically recognised under State and Territory legislation. We also support industry driven programs such as those designed to mitigate the risk of spray drift, delivered under Nufarm’s Spraywise stewardship program as well as other providers. Growers are legally required to follow all product label requirements, including safety directions established by the APVMA and additional statements required under relevant Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. All Nufarm labels direct growers to Safety Data Sheets provided for each product which are available on our website. **Nufarm’s chemical handling approach for every product encompasses:** • Understanding product Safety Data Sheets and how to assess risk phrases and toxicology information; • Review of the alternative routes of exposure for typical agricultural chemicals; • Review and use of appropriate controls, Personal Protective Equipment and spill response measures; • Understanding First Aid requirements for typical agricultural chemicals. --- ## Page 12 **Glyphosate and surfactants 101.** Rule 1. Different salts of glyphosate have different inherent characteristics, as does each surfactant package. Rule 2. The performance of a formulation is always a function of the salt overlayed with a partner surfactant or surfactants. Rule 3. Getting one or a few attributes from a formulation is really quite simple; however, getting many attributes in a single formulation is extremely difficult. **CRUCIAL. Your all-in-one formulation.** It’s always been the same old story – you can get each feature in a certain formulation, but never all the features in the one formulation. That is, until CRUCIAL. **Characteristics** • Revolutionary world first triple salt technology glyphosate • Formulated using: • Potassium (K) • Monoammonium (NH) • Monomethylamine (MMA) • Triple salt and perfectly matched triple surfactant takes CRUCIAL to a new unrivalled benchmark • More glyphosate per litre • 600 load • Market-leading compatibility • Widest ever label package of any glyphosate formulation, including in-crop over the top registrations. • Outstanding efficacy • Fast brownout • Easy-to-use liquid formulation • Viscosity equal to weedmaster ARGO • Most advanced glyphosate technology ever! [Image: 20L container of Nufarm CRUCIAL] The information and recommendations set out in this brochure are no substitute for professional or expert advice and are based on tests and data believed to be reliable at the time of publication. Results may vary, as the use and application of the products is beyond our control and may be subject to climatic, geographical or biological variables, and/or developed resistance. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Nufarm Australia Limited disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to any warranty that the information is up-to-date, complete, true, legally compliant, accurate, non-misleading or suitable. ©2019 Nufarm Australia Ltd. All trademarks (®,™) are owned by Nufarm Australia Ltd or used under license. ® - registered trademark of Nufarm or other parties. CRUCIAL is a ®Registered Trademark of Nufarm Australia Ltd. Please refer to respective product labels for registered uses in specific crops. For more information on CRUCIAL®, contact your local Nufarm Territory Manager. **Nufarm** **Grow a better tomorrow**