Innovative Herbicide Formulations, Novel Trait Technology Among Leading Ways to Fight Weed Resistance
January 22, 2024 
The fight against weed resistance continues to ramp up as crop protection companies concentrate their R&D efforts toward developing new formulations to stay ahead of weeds that have become resistant to existing herbicides.
Corteva’s Vorceed Enlist with next generation corn rootworm (CRW) trait technology is one example. The solution gives farmers more flexibility in managing CRW pressure with three modes of action for above-ground insect protection, three modes of action for below-ground insect protection, and tolerance to four herbicide modes of action to better address weed resistance.
When applied to label instructions, Enlist achieves near-zero volatility and reduced potential for physical drift. A wide application window further enhances the use of Enlist in the mitigation of late season broadleaf weeds, notes Ron Geis, a Market Development Specialist with Corteva.
Following the release of its Batalium Amped herbicide, UPL is adding to its wheat portfolio in 2024 with the release of IronGate and Audit 9:1 aimed at controlling broadleaf and grass weed species.
Kip Jacobs, Technical Services Manager, notes that, “All of UPL’s products are developed to fill a niche in the marketplace. We pay especially close attention to the driving biological factors in target weed species that favor the evolution of resistance to herbicides. With these factors in mind, we develop incredibly specific herbicide combinations in concentrated formulations so we can maximize activity and coverage of those target species.”
Immunity to dicamba, glyphosate, and HPPD chemistries is drawing Belchim Crop Protection USA further into the resistance market.
The company recommends that customers incorporate its Tough herbicide into their tank mixes. Tough 5EC, for example, is a pyridate-based product that enhances post-emergence control of broadleaf weeds with a wide application window. It’s currently approved for corn, lentils, mint, and chickpeas.
Tom Wood, Belchim’s President and General Manager, recommends combining Tough with HPPDs, including Callisto or Impact, for the most effective control.
“When you’re thinking about resistant weeds, this will reduce or eliminate the weed seed bank that is going to cause problems down the road,” he says. “In addition, (this process) provides more modes of action, and offers good return on investment that retailers can include in their programs.”
Valent entered the corn herbicide market last year with Maverick, providing growers with three effective modes of action for long-lasting, broad-spectrum control of problematic weeds, including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, marestail, and annual grasses, as well as application flexibility from preplant up to 18-inch corn, low use rates for easy in-field handling and mixing, and excellent compatibility with atrazine.
“Many corn herbicides use rates only effective at quarts per acre, but Maverick’s use rates are ounces per acre,” says Valent’s Asset Strategty Team Lead Joseph Short. “This helps from a convenience standpoint, because you’re handling less material and improving sustainability.”
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