Planting Enlist E3 Soybeans in 2022?

By Mike Hunter

Are you planting Enlist E3 soybeans in 2022?  If so, one of the tools in the weed control toolbox will be the option to use one of the two registered 2,4-D choline herbicides for use on Enlist E3 soybeans.  In January 2022, the EPA approved a seven-year registration of Enlist One and Enlist Duo herbicides.  Enlist One and Enlist Duo are the only 2,4-D choline herbicides registered for over-the-top use in 2,4-D tolerant soybeans.  Enlist E3 soybeans are also tolerant to the over-the-top application of both glyphosate (Roundup) and glufosinate (Liberty) herbicides.

If you will be applying Enlist One or Enlist Duo herbicide in 2022, there are several updated use changes on the label.

A few of the highlighted changes include:

• Postemergence applications can be made any time after emergence through R1 growth stage (beginning flower)
• Prohibiting Enlist product application when rainfall is expected to occur within 48 hours or when soils are fully saturated, and soil can no longer absorb water
• Requires users to select from a list of runoff reduction measures to reduce 2,4-D and glyphosate concentrations in runoff
• Enlist One can be applied to Enlist E3 soybeans in all counties in New York State
• Enlist Duo cannot be applied in Genessee, Seneca, and Wayne counties in NYS
  • However, glyphosate can be tank mixed with Enlist One in all counties in NYS
• More than 100 new nozzles were added to the qualified list

Any Enlist One or Enlist Duo that is sold, distributed or applied after January 11, 2022 must have the new supplemental label or the products are labeled with the revised Section 3 labeling.

To access the Enlist One and Enlist Duo supplemental labels visit the Enlist website.

Unlike the required annual dicamba training requirements for the use of the approved dicamba products (XtendiMax, Engenia, Tavium) and the EPA mandated three-year paraquat (Gramoxone) handler and applicator training, Enlist applicator training is not required.  Although not required, it is certainly worth the time to view for anyone that plans on using either of the Enlist products in 2022.

To register for an upcoming Enlist applicator live training webinar or view a prerecorded session visit the Enlist training page.

Planting Enlist E3 soybeans will provide additional options for the control of multiple resistant marestail, a difficult to control weed that is slowly spreading across the state.  Switching to 2,4-D tolerant soybeans is unlikely a long term solution, as selection for resistant weeds will begin with the increased use of these new herbicides.  Growers will need to carefully consider how to best use these traits by providing good stewardship to preserve this technology for the future.