Herbicide Options for No-till Soybeans | Inputs & Insights | Corteva Agriscience
 9/18/2022

Herbicide Options for No-till Soybeans

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Sprayer in harvested corn field -No til soybeans

More time, improved soil health and reduced compaction are just a few advantages of implementing a no-till soybean system.

“No-till can help reduce labor, fuel costs and wear and tear on equipment from extra passes across the field,” says Joe Bolte, market development specialist, Corteva Agriscience. “This can also help free up equipment and resources during the spring — one of the busiest times of the year for growers.”

But along with several advantages, a no-till system can also pose challenges. And one of those challenges is marestail. This weed thrives in no-till and reduced-tillage environments.

When marestail germinates in fall and is allowed to overwinter to spring, it is generally considered one of the most difficult weeds to control. Once it gets a hold in a field, marestail can significantly decrease yield, too.

Why No-till Requires a Burndown Application 

“Tillage will control winter annuals and early emerging summer annuals. But, in a no-till environment, a burndown application will be needed to control these weeds,” Bolte says.

Controlling weeds when they are small is the key to any herbicide application. That’s why Bolte recommends a fall burndown — this will provide control when weeds are most susceptible.

“For maximum control, residual herbicides that are labeled for fall applications can be added to the tank,” Bolte says. “Many of these products will have burndown as well as residual activity. Adding an approved burndown tank-mix partner can also help broaden the burndown weed control spectrum.”

If growers do not make a fall burndown application, a spring burndown will be even more critical. Early spring burndown applications can help control winter annuals and early emerging summer annuals when they are still small.

Herbicide Options for No-till Soybeans

“Corteva offers many residual options for acres that will be planted to soybeans the following spring,” Bolte says.

Here are some great options available for burndown applications:

  • Elevore® herbicide: Elevore elevates a grower’s burndown program by providing thorough control of labeled broadleaf weeds without regrowth. Elevore is tank-mix-compatible with commonly used burndown and residual partners to control many ALS- and glyphosate-resistant species, plus marestail up to 8 inches tall.

    “Elevore is a great burndown option for marestail in the fall or spring,” Bolte says. “For spring burndown applications, Elevore will also have a relatively short plant back restriction to soybeans.” View the fall burndown fact sheet here.
  • Kyber® herbicide: Kyber offers three modes of action for control of resistant broadleaf and grass weeds and can be tank-mixed with other burndown herbicides, including glyphosate, glufosinate and 2,4-D, to broaden burndown efficacy.

    Controlling new flushes of winter annuals or early emerging summer annuals in the spring is also critical. Kyber is an approved tank-mix partner with Enlist One® herbicide, resulting in no plant-back restrictions in Enlist E3® soybeans. “The addition of Enlist One can also help increase burndown effectiveness against many winter annuals as well as early-emerging summer annuals,” Bolte says.
  • Enlist® herbicides can also be used for spring burndown and pre-plant applications. For all uses, including burndown, Enlist herbicides can be tank-mixed with products that are listed on EnlistTankMix.com. Listed products include additional herbicides, AMS products, and water conditioners.

For a complete list of soybean herbicides offered by Corteva, visit corteva.us. Work with your Corteva territory manager to help identify which burndown herbicides make the most sense for your customers’ acres.

Elevore® and Kyber® herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and MS Technologies LLC. Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use with Enlist® crops. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Consult the label before purchase or use for full details. Always read and follow label directions.