What’s New for Agronomic Weed Control: 2015

Here are some new products currently, or anticipated to be, available for the 2015 season along with label changes of some additional weed control products.

Acuron 3.44CS (0.06 lb ai bicyclopyrone + 0.24 lb mesotrione [Callisto] + 2.14 lb s-metolachlor [Dual II Magnum] + 1 lb atrazine + benoxacor [corn safener]; groups 27, 15, 5 herbicides; Syngenta) is a new herbicide premix for use in field and sweet corn. Bicyclopyrone is the new active ingredient and is similar to mesotrione (Callisto) but is “broader spectrum” as it has both broadleaf and grass activity. Typical use rate for Acuron will be 2.5 qt/A. Product launch is anticipated by 2015. An atrazine-free formulation also will be available. 

Afforia 50.8SG (5% thifensulfuron [Harmony] + 5% tribenuron [Express] + 40.8% flumioxazin [Valor SX]; groups 2 and 14 herbicides; DuPont) is a herbicide premix for use in soybean for burndown/residual control of certain broadleaves. This ratio allows for sooner recrop to vegetable and other sensitive crops. Glyphosate and 2,4-D LVE can be tank-mixed to broaden control spectrum.

Anthem 2.15SE (pyroxasulfone + fluthiacet [Cadet]; groups 15 and 14 herbicides; FMC) is registered for use in corn (field and sweet) and soybean as pre or early post applications. Typical use rate range is 7 – 9 oz/A to control annual grasses and broadleaves. (8 oz Anthem equals 2.5 oz Zidua and 0.56 fl oz Cadet.) Anthem ATZ 4.5SE contains Anthem + atrazine and is used at 2 – 3 pt/A in corn.

Aim 2EC (carfentrazone; group 14 herbicide; FMC) is now registered for use in forages (grass pastures/hay and alfalfa /clover ± grass mix) for post control of primarily broadleaves. The typical use rate is 1 – 2 fl oz/A.

Anthem Flex 4SE (pyroxasulfone + carfentrazone [Aim]; groups 15 and 14 herbicides; FMC) is registered for use in wheat for preplant through early post (up to 4th tiller wheat stage) applications. The typical use rate is 2.75 – 3.5 oz/A. (See comments under Zidua about weeds controlled.)

DiFlexx (dicamba + corn safener; group 4 herbicide; Bayer CropScience) is an experimental herbicide for use in field corn for control of broadleaves. This safened dicamba product contains cyprosulfamide which is the same safener used in Balance Flexx and Corvus. It is an effective corn safener having both pre and post activity. Product launch is anticipated by 2015. DiFlexx will compete with Status, which has the corn safener, isoxadifen as well as other dicamba products. (The same one that is also used in the DuPont Q products.)

Envive (DuPont) has an updated label that allows it to be tank-mixed with PRE-grass herbicides in no-till soybean. The label states: Do not tank mix Envive with chloroacetamides (e.g., Dual, Warrant, Outlook, Axiom, etc.) within 14 days of planting soybeans, unless soybeans are planted under no-till or minimum tillage conditions on wheat stubble or no-till field corn stubble.

Fierce 76WDG (pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin [Valor]; groups 15 and 14 herbicides; Valent) can be used only in no-till or minimum-tilled fields where crop residue has not been incorporated into the soil and where soybean or corn will be planted directly into a stale seedbed, cover crop, or previous crop residue. Fierce is best suited for soybean in our region.  Apply Fierce at 3 – 4.5 oz/A. (As a reference, 3.75 oz Fierce would be equivalent to 2.5 oz Valor SX and 1.9 oz Zidua.) Fierce may be applied pre or within 3 days after soybean planting but before soybean emergence. Corn must be planted between 7 and 30 days after application. Fierce provides residual control of several annual grass and broadleaf weeds, but must be tank-mixed to improve burndown control. Fierce XLT 62.41WDG contains Fierce plus chlorimuron (Classic) which adds an additional mode of action (group 2) and helps improve control of cocklebur, ragweed, smartweed, and velvetleaf for soybean only. The rate range is 3.75 – 5.25 oz/A (Fierce XLT at 4 oz/A = 3 oz Fierce + 1 oz Classic). 

Liberty 280 (Bayer CropScience) will soon have a supplemental label that allows it to be applied in LibertyLink sweet corn varieties. In general, Liberty can be applied at 20 fl oz/A in up to 24 inch tall (V7) sweet corn.

Marvel 3L (fluthiacet [Cadet] + fomasafen [Reflex]; group 14 herbicides; FMC) is registered for use in soybean to control many annual broadleaves (e.g., lambsquarters, pigweeds, velvetleaf) postemergence. The typical use rate is 7.25 fl oz/A which is only equivalent to 10.4 oz Reflex and 0.9 oz Cadet. In general, apply to actively growing weeds that are <4 inches tall and include necessary adjuvants. Marvel has a 4-month rotation restriction for wheat, barley, rye; 10 months for corn; and 18 months for alfalfa and sorghum.

Solstice 4SC (fluthiacet [Cadet] + mesotrione [Callisto]; groups 14 and 27; FMC) is labeled for postemergence use in field and sweet corn at a use rate of 2.5 – 3.15 fl oz/A for annual broadleaf weed control.

Trivence 61.3WDG (chlorimuron [Classic] + metribuzin + flumioxazin [Valor SX]; groups 2, 5 and 14 herbicides; DuPont) is a herbicide premix for use in soybean for burndown/residual control of broadleaves including marestail. It can be applied from preplant through 3 days after planting. The typical use rate in our region will be 8 oz/A on medium soils. Glyphosate and 2,4-D LVE can be tank-mixed to broaden control spectrum.

Zidua 85WDG (pyroxasulfone alone; group 15 herbicide; BASF) provides good control of several annual grasses and broadleaves in corn (field and sweet) and soybean. Zidua can be applied preplant (surface or incorporated) up to 45 days before planting or preemergence. Typical use rate is 2.5 oz/A on medium-texture soils; (rates can be adjusted for soil type or two-pass application programs). Crop must be planted at least 1 inch deep. Zidua does not control existing weeds and must be activated by at least ½” inch of rainfall. Tank-mix other herbicides to broaden weed control spectrum. Zidua may be applied early postemergence in either crop, but tank-mix if weeds are emerged. Zidua also can be applied in wheat as a delayed preemergence (80% germination with 1/2 inch long shoot to spiking) to control annual grasses and small seeded broadleaf weeds at 0.7 – 2 oz/A. If applied as an early postemergence (spike to four tillers), Zidua may be tank-mixed with other wheat herbicides to improve control spectrum. In wheat, it controls some summer annual broadleaves and grasses including annual ryegrass and annual bluegrass; is less effective on winter annual broadleaves including chickweed and marestail and only suppresses downy brome, chess, and cheat. It must be applied before emergence to have any activity on these species. Wheat injury may result when applied PRE and/or under prolonged wet soil conditions.

NEW FORMULATIONS: Dow AgroSciences has reformulated some of its acetochlor products with a new NXT formulation. The products include Keystone NXT 5.6SE, Keystone LA NXT 5.5SE, FulTime 4.04SE, and Surpass NXT 7SE and Breakfree NXT (DuPont). Dow claims this new formulation allows for better handling, improved product flow and mixing, in addition to better activation with only ¼” rainfall. In addition, SureStart II 4.25SE and TripleFLEX II 4.25SE (Monsanto) are reformulated products for better handling, mixing, and stability and have a new corn safener. All of these herbicides will have similar rates, utility, and weed control as old formulations.

DUPLICATE PRODUCTS (Post-patent/generic or Equivalent)

Accolade (FMC) = Python

Broadloom (UPI) = Basagran

Rowel (Monsanto) = Valor SX

Rowel FX (Monsanto) = Valor XLT

Satellite HydroCap (UPI) = Prowl H2O

Stanza (FMC) = Hornet

Surveil co-pack (Dow) = Gangster

UNIQUE SOYBEAN PREMIX PRODUCTS

Intimidator (Loveland) = s-metolachlor (Dual Magnum) + metribuzin + fomesafen (Reflex); PRE

Matador (Loveland) = metolachlor (Dual) + metribuzin + imazethapyr (Pursuit); PRE

Pummel (Adama/MANA) = metolachlor (Dual) + imazethapyr (Pursuit); PRE

Torment (Adama/MANA) = fomesafen (Reflex) + imazethapyr (Pursuit); PRE or POST

HERBICIDE RESISTANT CROPS

Enlist corn and E3 soybean (Dow AgroSciences) are a new lineup of genetically modified crops in the Enlist Weed Control System. Enlist corn will be combined with SmartStax and thus be resistant to glyphosate, glufosinate (Liberty 280), and post-grass (FOP) herbicides (e.g., Assure II and Fusilade, but not Select and Poast) and have a greater tolerance to 2,4-D. Enlist E3 soybean will be resistant to glyphosate, 2,4-D, and glufosinate. (E3 refers to a single-event molecular stack containing three traits vs. traits that are stacked individually.) Also a new 2,4-D formulation (choline) is being developed that will offer ultra-low volatility, reduced drift, decreased odor, and improved handling (referred to as Colex-D Technology). The first herbicide premix to emerge will be Enlist Duo which is a combination of 2,4-D choline plus glyphosate for use over Enlist crops; other products will likely follow. No other 2,4-D formulations are expected to be labeled for use over-the-top on Enlist crops. Enlist soybean and corn and Enlist Duo herbicide are currently approved in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and South Dakota for 2015; other states will be added as the process continues.  Approval is expected by 2016 at the earliest in our region.

Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans (dicamba-tolerant) are being developed by Monsanto and BASF to allow pre or post applications of dicamba (active ingredient in Clarity, Banvel, etc.) on soybeans. These varieties will be stacked with the Roundup Ready trait. In addition, BASF is developing a new, next-generation, dicamba-containing formulation for use in this system. It is a BAPMA, polyamine salt formulation and is reported to be 40% less volatile that Clarity; it will be called Engenia. Monsanto will have its own dicamba-containing products called Xtendimax and Roundup Xtend that includes “VaporGrip” technology. Once approved, this system will likely be available by 2016.

Overall, we can expect to see better annual and perennial broadleaf weed control in soybeans with these technologies. Also these traits will offer some protection from drift and spray tank contamination. However, off-site movement of 2,4-D and dicamba to sensitive non-target plants remains a concern. In a diverse landscape like Pennsylvania, this will be more of a concern then perhaps for our neighbors to the west. These companies are hosting field day training sessions (Enlist Ahead, RR Learning Xperience Plots, On Target Application Academy) to showcase special stewardship guidelines on nozzle type, spray boom height, ground speed, wind speed, among other management issues. Expect stringent application and use guidelines once these crops are available.

HPPD and MGI-tolerant soybeans are being developed by Bayer CropScience and Syngenta to allow the use of in-crop applications of HPPD-inhibitor herbicides (e.g., Balance and Callisto). These varieties will likely be stacked with glyphosate- and glufosinate-resistant traits. Balance GT soybeans were approved by FDA and USDA in August 2013, but specific herbicide products for use in this system have yet to be announced. This system is expected to be launched by 2017.

Source:psu.edu