Source: Syngenta
Weed management is always a major concern for growers throughout the U.S., and last year’s weed escapes will have left seeds in the soil for growers to contend with this season. This problem, combined with the growing issue of herbicide-resistant weeds, makes weed management a big concern in 2018.
Growers can expect resistant weeds to continue to spread across key corn and soybean growing regions in 2018. A recent Iowa State University report said Palmer amaranth was identified in many new counties in Iowa, and will likely be found in every Iowa county this year. Michigan State University reported that resistant weeds, like marestail, spread to new counties last season, and glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed was also discovered for the first time in the state.
This year, it’s not enough to rely on 1 herbicide and trust it to knock out every weed in the field. In order to protect yields in 2018 and in the future, growers need to diversify their weed management programs by implementing traditional cultural practices, like tillage and the use of cover crops, in addition to applying herbicides with multiple effective modes of action. This combination of strategies can significantly extend the life of herbicides treatments and delay the spread of resistance for years to come.
Growers are encouraged to visit www.ResistanceFighter.com or talk to their local Syngenta sales representative to learn more about receiving a customized herbicide program to efficiently control the weeds in their fields.