Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
February 26, 2016
Tough weeds, including herbicide-resistant species, are changing the landscape of weed management. Enlist™ field specialists help growers, applicators and retailers devise programs that provide real solutions, including the Enlist weed control system. Enlist crops provide tolerance to Enlist Duo® herbicide, a proprietary blend of glyphosate and new 2,4-D choline.
Jonathan Siebert, Ph.D. (pictured), Enlist field sales leader, has seen all types of weed challenges and understands the issues Midsouth growers face. Siebert oversees a team of Enlist field specialists —experts who provide in-field technical support for growers, distributors, seed companies and retailers.
Herbicide-resistant species are spreading
Growers in the Midsouth face some of the most challenging weeds, including Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, ragweed and marestail. With the recent appearance of PPO (protoporphyrinogen oxidase) resistant waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, these growers are looking for solutions.
“PPO resistance will be top of mind for growers this year,” Siebert says. “To protect PPO effectiveness, we need to use multiple modes of action on these weeds. We can’t afford to lose effective herbicides, especially in soybeans.”
The Enlist™ trait offers a solution. The ability to plant corn, cotton and soybeans containing this technology allows the use of another effective mode of action. Growers who plant Enlist corn and soybeans will be able to use Enlist Duo herbicide to control difficult and herbicide-resistant weeds. Enlist Duo is not yet registered for use on Enlist cotton.
Regional experts support growers
“Our team helps growers with stewardship of the Enlist system so we can use it well into the future,” Siebert says. He notes stewardship involves two facets: on-target application and multiple modes of action to manage weed resistance.
Enlist Duo features Colex-D® technology, which provides several benefits, including near-zero volatility, minimized potential for physical drift, low odor and improved handling characteristics. Using the appropriate nozzles, spray pressure and boom height maximizes on-target application of Enlist Duo® herbicide.
In addition, Enlist™ field specialists can help develop a weed control program that involves multiple modes of action.
“In the Midsouth, we often have mild winters and long growing seasons,” Siebert says. “When it’s warm and wet, we can get flushes of early weed emergence. To control these, we may need an early burndown followed by a second burndown at planting with a different mode of action. Then growers can come back with an effective postemergence application offering two modes of action, such as Enlist Duo.”
To help growers with Enlist™ technology, Enlist field specialists provide training and assist with service inquiries. They also help implement Enlist Ahead — a management resource that allows growers, applicators and retailers to achieve the best results from the Enlist weed control system today and in the future. Siebert invites retailers and growers to contact their regional Enlist field specialist for help.
“Attending one of our summer events will help growers make informed decisions on their weed control programs,” Siebert says. “If a retailer is holding an event for local growers, we welcome opportunities to speak. Our goal is to help growers achieve successful weed management for their fields in 2016 and in future years.”
Visit Enlist.com to learn more about weed control options and the Enlist weed control system.
Tips to Manage Weed Resistance
Growers in the Midsouth face some of the toughest weed species, including Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, ragweed and marestail. Taking the following steps during the season can help them manage weed resistance issues:
- Develop an integrated weed management plan that delivers multiple modes of action throughout the season. With resistance increasing, the Enlist™ weed control system allows use of effective modes of action.
- Use full rates of the herbicides during applications. Do not use partial rates or trim back for any reason, including cost.
- Spray when weeds are small. Although it can be challenging because of weather and other factors, this is the ideal application timing.
- Scout fields regularly to identify weeds when they are small and easy to control.
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