Rely® 280 is a postemergence contact herbicide registered for numerous uses across agronomic, ornamental, and fruit cropping systems. It contains the active ingredient “glufosinate-ammonium” (a Group 10 herbicide). In 2023, BASF registered Rely® 280 for use in cantaloupe, cucumber, summer squash, watermelon, tomato, and pepper. The registration occurred as two separate supplemental labels- one for cucurbits and one for fruiting vegetables. At the same time, BASF registered uses in tropical fruits, figs, and hops. All of these supplemental labels were set to expire between December of 2025 and September of 2026.
The supplemental labels for cucurbits and fruiting vegetables allowed for the use of Rely® 280 as a preplant burndown or in-season row middle application. Prior to these supplemental labels, the extreme plant-back restriction of 180 days made using glufosinate-containing products impractical for these crops. Since 2023, many Indiana farmers have adopted these expanded uses into their cucurbit and fruiting vegetable weed management programs in addition to using Rely® within the state’s orchards and vineyards. In 2024, BASF added the supplemental uses to its Rely® 280 container label. The future of Rely® 280 and other glufosinate-containing herbicides has led to many questions in recent weeks.
Is Rely 280 still being made?
No. Shortly after these supplemental labels became available, BASF stopped making Rely® 280. In early 2025 BASF stopped making Liberty® 280 (the row crop equivalent to Rely® 280). Instead, BASF has shifted production to Liberty® ULTRA. Unfortunately for specialty crop farmers, Liberty® ULTRA is currently only registered for LibertyLink® and glufosinate-resistant crops. This does, however, include glufosinate-resistant varieties of sweet corn.
Can I use Liberty® 280 as a replacement for Rely® 280?
No, not yet. This is a good question. Rely® 280 and Liberty® 280 are the exact same product- the only difference is the label on the front of the jug. However, the label is the law. Some states have supplemental Liberty® 280 labels allowing their growers the flexibility to use existing Liberty® 280 stocks the same way they would have used Rely® 280 on cucurbits and fruiting vegetables. The Purdue Horticulture Crops Weed Science Lab and the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC) are working with our colleagues at BASF to request a supplemental label for Liberty® 280 as a short-term measure. However, it has not been approved yet.
What about “generics”?
Numerous companies carry similar formulations of glufosinate-ammonium. A quick CDMS.net search resulted in 21 glufosinate products registered for use in perennial fruit crops. However, these labels do not include uses in cucurbits and fruiting vegetables. One of the companies with a “280” glufosinate product, Loveland Products Incorporated, has labeled their product (Forfeit® 280) in Georgia with a 24 C Special Local Need registration for cucurbits and fruiting vegetables. We are working with OISC, chemical companies, and Indiana vegetable farmers to pursue “generic” glufosinate registrations for cucurbits and fruit vegetables. In the meantime, many of these products can continue to be applied fruit crops according to the product label(s). Consult your agrochemical supplier for a formulation of glufosinate that is labeled in perennial fruits and be mindful that some glufosinate products are only registered for agronomic or ornamental uses. Double check the concentration of active ingredient to avoid over- or under-applying herbicide.
If I have Rely® 280, can I use it?
Yes, existing stocks of Rely® 280 can continue to be used according to label directions. The current Rely® 280 jug label which includes the expanded uses for cucurbits and fruiting vegetables can be downloaded from the CDMS website (https://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldG9P018.pdf).
Where can I get updates?
Updates on this topic will be shared in future Vegetable Crop Hotline and Facts for Fancy Fruit issues.
For more information on how to use Rely® 280 in cucurbits and fruiting vegetables, you can visit this archived Vegetable Crops Hotline article: Rely® 280 Added to Row Middle Weed Control Arsenal in Select Crops | Purdue University Vegetable Crops Hotline