RESTRICTIONS ON aerial applications of preplant burndown herbicides in Mississippi Delta counties will remain in place for the 2004 season. “These regulations have worked well since 2002 when we began them to minimize drift on non-target crops and vegetation,” said Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Lester Spell in a recent department publication. “We urge pesticide applicators to continue their compliance so drift problems can be avoided.”

The regulation creates two zones.

Zone 1 includes Delta counties south of Highway 8: Carroll, Holmes, Humphreys, Washington, Sharkey, Issaquena, Yazoo and Warren counties, and portions of Bolivar, Sunflower, Leflore and Grenada counties. Aerial applications of burndown herbicides are generally prohibited in Zone 1 from March 15 through April 30.

Zone 2 includes Delta counties north of Highway 8: Tallahatchie, Tate, Quitman, Coahoma, Tunica, Panola and DeSoto counties, and portions of Bolivar, Sunflower, Leflore and Grenada counties. Aerial applications of burndown products are generally prohibited in Zone 2 from March 25 through April 30.

Aerial applications during the specified time periods in the two zones can be made only with a permit from an authorized employee of the Mississippi Bureau of Plant Industry.