Applying herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers directly over the growing plants rather than directing the spray beneath the canopy or between rows. This method requires the main crop to be resistant to the applied chemical, such as with herbicide-tolerant genetically modified crops. It provides fast, broad coverage but risks damaging sensitive non-target foliage.
Heard on the job
We can go over the top with glyphosate since this field is planted with resistant beans.
Insider tip
Over-the-top herbicide applications rely entirely on the crop's genetic tolerance to survive the chemical bath.
Also heard as
- OTT