What does incorporating an herbicide into soil typically involve?

Incorporating an herbicide into the soil generally means that the herbicide needs to be mixed into the soil profile to enhance its effectiveness in controlling weeds. This process often involves using irrigation as a method of incorporation. When herbicides are mixed into the soil, they can reach the weed roots more effectively, ensuring better absorption by the targeted plants while minimizing potential runoff and off-target effects.

This method is advantageous because it allows the herbicide to interact with the soil and plant roots, leading to a more effective weed management strategy. Proper soil incorporation also helps to protect the herbicide from degradation caused by light or evaporation more effectively than surface applications.

In contrast, broadcasting on the surface may lead to less effective control as the herbicide may not reach the root zone where many weeds draw their nutrients and moisture. Mixing with sand would not provide a means for effective soil incorporation either and would dilute the herbicide's concentration. Using a topical spray alone does not involve the thorough mixing into the soil and may result in a high potential for evaporation and degradation before the herbicide can perform its function.