Three Benefits of Selecting a Residual Herbicide to Control Weeds at Planting
November 18, 2021
Controlling early season weeds at planting is beneficial for minimizing yield-robbing competition.
After planting, there is one sight every grower dreads to see—weeds. It can be especially troubling when young weeds are visible before the crop even has emerged. These early season weeds pose one of the greatest threats to corn plants. If left unmanaged, they will compete with corn for sunlight, water and nutrients, often resulting in reduced yields and lower profits. However, as dreadful as weeds can be, there are strategies you can take to mitigate their effects. In fact, before you even see a weed, you can take steps to ensure that corn plants grow without unnecessary competition and yield losses.
One of the most promising ways to eliminate early season weed competition is by applying a pre-emergence herbicide with strong residual control, such as Corvus® herbicide, tankmixed with Harness® Xtra herbicide.
Three benefits of selecting a pre-emergence herbicide with residual
Pre-emergence, residual herbicides take out weeds before the crop emerges from the ground. While important, this is only one part of the picture.
“Of course, the initial control of emerged weeds is very important. But in order to keep those weeds at bay throughout the season, you really need a herbicide that not only controls weeds, but provides powerful residual too. This gives you a strong foundation for a solid integrated weed management program,” said Frank Rittemann, selective corn herbicides product manager at Bayer. “The benefits of pre-emergence herbicide applications can be felt not only early in the season, but also later in the season and in future growing seasons as well.”
1. Minimizes weed-related yield losses
Early season weeds pose the greatest threat to yield. Managing weeds with a pre-emergence herbicide takes out tough weeds before they can compete with corn. Competition often results in improper development, with the corn plants growing taller rather that developing a solid root system that will allow for maximum grain fill. Availability of ample resources allows corn plants to develop fully and properly. Therefore, less competition from weeds minimizes the risk of reduced yields.i
2. Builds a foundation for weed control later in the season
Applying a residual herbicide at time of planting can build the foundation for season-long weed control. Most residual herbicides remain active in the soil for a few weeks, so this extends the window for a postemergence application. When early season weeds are controlled by a pre-emergence herbicide with residual, there is less pressure on the postemergence herbicide application to take out all weeds that might have emerged since the beginning of the season.ii
3. Mitigates the development of herbicide resistance
As part of a two-pass system, a pre-emergence herbicide application can also mitigate the development of herbicide resistant weeds. It is recommended to incorporate multiple and different effective sites of action into the tankmix. With this approach, weeds are targeted in multiple ways for early season weed control. When weeds are successfully managed at time of planting, the risk of developing herbicide resistance is reduced considerably.iii
Bayer solutions for pre-emergence weed control
Rittemann recommends Corvus® herbicide, tankmixed with Harness® Xtra herbicide for excellent control of weeds at time of planting. “This tankmix has four different sites of action to help take out weeds that have already come up out of the ground,” said Rittemann. “This helps growers begin with clean, weed-free fields to give corn plants a good start without competition.”
Corvus herbicide provides extended early season weed control due to its long-lasting residual and unique feature of reactivation. With as little as a half inch of rain, Corvus reactivates to take out additional weeds that may have emerged even after extended dry periods. Harness Xtra herbicide provides powerful control of more than 40 species of grass and broadleaf weeds in all tillage situations.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Corvus® and Harness® Xtra are restricted use pesticides. Not all products are registered in all states and may be subject to use restrictions. The distribution, sale, or use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. Check with your local dealer or representative for the product registration status in your state. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Corvus and Harness are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. For additional product information call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.BayerCropScience.us. Bayer CropScience LP, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63167. ©2020 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.
Work Cited
i Texas Farm Bureau. “Corn benefits from pre-emergent herbicides.” Texas Agriculture Daily, 2015. http://texasfarmbureau.org/corn-benefits-from-preemergent-herbicides-to-control-weeds/
ii Jhala, A., & Kruger, G. “Why Residual Herbicides are Important tools in Battling Hard-to-Control Weeds.” Nebraska CropWatch, 2015. https://cropwatch.unl.edu/why-residual-herbicides-are-important-tools-battling-hard-control-weeds
iii GROW. “Diversifying herbicide modes of action.” Getting Rid of Weeds through Integrated Weed Management, 2018.