Over the last 6 months I have been in several soybean fields around the state and more often than not we see developing weed control problems. These problems seem to be centered on the continual use of glyphosate with no other tank mix partners. I’m not saying we have glyphosate resistant weeds but with continual applications of glyphosate only we may not be far from developing resistant populations. In some cases, 3 to 4 applications of glyphosate only have been made within a single cropping season. This is simply not a good practice, I realize it may be the most economical in a single year but long-term the economics of controlling glyphosate resistant weeds will not look so good.
Combining herbicide chemistries is very important to ward off resistance, especially rotations that are dominated by glyphosate resistant crops. Using pre-emerge products can reduce the number of glyphosate applications in season to as few as one. Plenty of good herbicide options are available for RR soybean production, non-RR soybean production, and Liberty Link beans. All of these require careful attention to detail and a well thought out plan. A well thought out herbicide program will pay long-term.
Do we rely on glyphosate too much for weed control?
Is the era of glyphosate only weed control over?
Yes and Yes
ReplyDeleteNow we have to get creative!
Learn what chemicals can plug the glyposate holes.
We are seeing ads for chemicals that will do, in varying degrees, just that!
I would recommend that everyone watch this video and hear a Corn Belt-grower's perspective on herbicide resistant weeds. He was interviewed at the "Respect the Rotation" tour hosted by Bayer, where producers and researchers had an opportunity to see up-close the immense problem with glyphosate-resistant pigweeds.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.agweb.com/get_article.aspx?src=gennews&pageid=158237