- Don’t rely solely on herbicide rotation as a weed resistance management strategy
- Using multiple, effective modes of action every year is key
- Resistant weeds can be controlled, even in infested areas
GREENSBORO, N.C., USA - January 16, 2018 – In the battle against herbicide-resistant weeds, university and industry research has cast doubt on common assumptions and is rewriting some of the “rules” for managing resistant weeds. Syngenta, along with a university research team, suggests key strategies for managing herbicide-resistant weeds:
- Use multiple, effective modes of action (MOAs) every year — ideally, in every herbicide application.
A University of Illinois study found that consistent use of multiple, effective herbicide MOAs was effective in delaying resistance. Jeff Evans, with the United States Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Research Service and based in Urbana, Illinois, and his research team studied weed management data from 105 central Illinois grain farms from 2004 to 2010. The study evaluated why some fields developed populations of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp and others didn’t.
A field that received an average of 2.5 MOAs per application from 2004 to 2006 was 83 times less likely to produce glyphosate-resistant waterhemp seeds than a field that received 1.5 different MOAs per application.
University of Illinois weed scientist Pat Tranel, who was part of Evans’s research team, said, “Ideally, it is more effective to have multiple MOAs in each application, but it depends on timing and effectiveness.”
Syngenta scientists have developed a computer model that produces similar findings. The model compares the longevity of various herbicide programs in corn and soybean cropping systems.
Dane Bowers, technical product lead for herbicides at Syngenta, stated that weed management programs utilizing three MOAs were able to delay development of resistance by at least 18 years over systems utilizing a single MOA (the model simulates 20 years).
The message is clear: Use of multiple, effective MOAs every year provides the best chance for growers to delay serious resistance problems.
- Don’t count on herbicide rotation alone to prevent resistance.
While some believe herbicide rotation alone will keep them protected against resistance, the research doesn’t support that.
“Weed seeds don’t necessarily germinate the year after they’re produced. Seeds carrying resistance can lie dormant, then germinate after two years, when they’ll face the same herbicide that failed to control their parent weeds,” Bowers said. “If you’re using just one MOA in those years, then that resistant population is off to the races.”
Growers should account for early-emerging weeds, like giant ragweed, as well as late-emerging weeds, like waterhemp and Palmer amaranth. There are several herbicides available from Syngenta that support growers using multiple MOAs. Premix products provide farmers with better weed control and resistance-management options, helping protect existing chemistries.
“Acuron® corn herbicide from Syngenta has four different active ingredients with three different MOAs, all of which are active on the toughest weeds, including resistant weeds,” said Bowers.
In soybeans, Syngenta markets three different pre-emergence herbicides, Boundary®, BroadAxe® XC and Prefix®, with two MOAs each. Syngenta also offersFlexstar® GT 3.5, a soy post-emergence herbicide with multiple MOAs.
Bowers recommends two-pass programs – a pre-emergence followed by a post-emergence – wherever possible. “Generally, weeds are more susceptible prior to emergence,” said Bowers. “A pre-emergence herbicide will control a large percentage of potential weeds before they emerge. This reduces selection pressure on the post-emergence herbicide to delay resistance.”
Tranel said that the result of his team’s study is encouraging for growers and that it’s important for growers to remember they are in control of their own fields. Even if there are resistant weeds in a neighbor’s field, growers can prevent resistant weeds from becoming established in their own fields by using responsible management practices.
“Weed seeds will inevitably move around,” Tranel said, and most fields probably have at least a few resistant weeds in them. However, a significant resistance issue doesn’t happen overnight. The resistant population builds up, gradually at first, before eventually appearing to explode in a field. Using these key strategies can help delay that buildup.
For more tips from Syngenta on how to win the battle against resistant weeds, visit ResistanceFighter.com. Join the conversation online – connect with us at www.Syngenta-US.com/social.
About Syngenta
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on X at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS.
Media Contact:
Steven Oklesh
336-632-6000
Steven.Oklesh@syngenta.com
Abbie Schindo
919-870-5718
aschindo@gscommunications.com
Related Links:
Resistance Fighter
Acuron
Boundary
BroadAxe XC
Flexstar GT 3.5
Prefix
Know More, Grow More
Syngenta Newsroom
Thrive Magazine
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