A Timely Postemergence Application to Extend Soybean Weed Control
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As a soybean farmer, you know there are many factors that go into getting the best possible yield potential. One of those factors is keeping fields clean throughout the growing season, preventing weeds from robbing soybeans of resources like water, sunlight and nutrients. That’s why a timely postemergence herbicide application is a key component of an effective soybean weed control program.
Two of the most important decisions you need to make for successful postemergence applications are knowing which chemistries will work best on your operation and when to apply them for optimum results.
What to Apply
Corteva Agriscience offers a variety of powerful and flexible postemergence soybean herbicide solutions. Here’s a look at a few of those:
- EverpreX® herbicide — EverpreX offers the flexibility of a wide application window. The solution can be applied up to 90 days before harvest. EverpreX provides residual control of ALS-, PPO- and glyphosate-resistant weeds like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp.
- Synchrony® XP herbicide — Synchrony XP is an affordable tank-mix partner that boosts glyphosate activity in postemergence applications. The solution helps control troublesome weeds like lambsquarters, morningglory and velvetleaf.
- Enlist One® herbicide — If you grow Enlist E3® soybeans, you can use Enlist One herbicide. The solution is a straight-goods 2,4-D choline that offers tank-mix flexibility and exceptional weed control designed to land and stay on target. Using Enlist One in a tank mix allows you to customize your customers’ program to match their weed spectrum.
- Enlist Duo® herbicide — Again, if you grow Enlist E3 soybeans, you can use Enlist Duo herbicide. The solution is a convenient, proprietary blend of 2,4-D choline and glyphosate that delivers strong weed control and helps prevent herbicide resistance.
Regardless of which chemistries you choose, applying multiple modes of action is a great way to round out your weed control program approach. Including herbicides that provide extended residual activity is also a good idea, as some weed varieties, like waterhemp, can continue to emerge well into the growing season — weeks after typical application timing. Controlling those weeds before they emerge is the best course of action.
When to Apply
It’s essential to read the product label for any solutions you’re planning to use. And there are a few high-level tips to keep in mind when scheduling your postemergence applications:
- Scout your fields regularly following your preemergence applications. If you find escapes, pay attention to how tall those weeds are because you’ll likely need to apply your postemergence herbicides before the weeds reach a certain height. For example, Enlist® herbicides should only be applied on weeds that are no taller than 6 inches.
- Take note of which species you’re seeing escape after preemergence applications. You may need to add a chemistry to your postemergence application you weren’t planning to use in order to control those weeds.
- Pay attention to growth stage. Applying herbicides after soybeans reach the reproductive stages (R1 and beyond) is inadvisable. This is because those later applications can negatively impact soybean photosynthesis, reducing seed production and, ultimately, yield potential.
- Watch the weather. Keeping an eye on the forecast is very important when planning postemergence applications. You don’t want to apply your herbicides when the soil is overly saturated. At the same time, you’ll want to make sure there is enough rain in the forecast (about ½ to 1 inch) to activate any residuals you’re using. Finally, you want to avoid applying any products during temperature inversions.
It should be noted that including residual activity in your preemergence solutions can be a big help when it comes to planning your postemergence application. Applying at least one preemergence product that offers several weeks of residual control can help keep weeds at bay until you’re able to put down your postemergence herbicides. Sonic® herbicide, for example, is a preemergence solution that provides several weeks of residual activity, which offers a little more flexibility to work around any weather delays or other setbacks that might arise.
Keeping soybean fields as clean as possible for as long as possible helps ensure maximum yield potential. That’s why using a full program approach that includes a timely postemergence application is your best bet when it comes to soybean weed control.
You can work with your local ag retailer to find the right soybean chemistries for your farm, especially as you navigate supply chain issues this season. You can also visit the soybean herbicides portfolio page on Corteva.us to learn about the powerful solutions from Corteva.
The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience LLC and MS Technologies, L.L.C. Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use with Enlist® crops. Consult Enlist herbicide labels for weed species controlled. EverpreX®, Sonic® and Synchrony® XP are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Consult the label before purchase or use for full details. Always read and follow label directions.
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