Get TOUGH on Control of Resistant Weeds Today and Reduce the Seed Bank Tomorrow
Resistance IS A GROWING CONCERN
Each year, the number of cases of herbicide resistance increases, showing no sign of slowing down. Palmer amaranth and Common waterhemp have shown resistance to 9 different herbicide groups (2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 14, 15, 27, 10). Kochia, another problem weed, due to its tolerance to hot, dry conditions and soils with high salinity, in the cornbelt is resistant to Group 2, 4, 5 and 9. Kochia can produce up to 30,000 seeds per plant and can emerge as early as February in Kansas and March in the Northern Plains and can significantly reduce crop yields and interfere with harvest.
University and industry experts agree that an integrated system of multiple modes of action with overlapping soil residuals, is essential to an effective weed management strategy. In addition, incorporating different chemical and cultural management practices improves the ability to control tough and resistant weeds and protect existing herbicide technologies.
KILL WEEDS FAST AND WHEN THEY’RE SMALL!
A synergistic (patent pending) effect has been observed when Pyridate (TOUGH® 5EC) is combined with HPPD inhibitor herbicides, such as mesotrione. When combined, pyridate increases the amount of toxic oxygen produced and the HPPD’s reduce the plants ability to detoxify these oxygen molecules. This in turn increases the speed of kill and reduces the competitive effect of growing weeds in crops. Dr. Prashant Jha, Iowa State University has conducted a number of university trials with TOUGH® 5EC over the past few years. Dr. Jha states; “TOUGH is definitely going to be an effective strategy paired in a tank mix with HPPD inhibitors or Group 27 herbicides. When they are mixed together, like Callisto and TOUGH, we are achieving that 90 to 95% control with rapid necrosis and kill of plants within seven days after application.”
Several trials were initiated in 2020 and 2021 to further demonstrate pyridate’s proven “synergy” with HPPD herbicides. Dr. Bryan Young of Purdue University was one of our cooperators in the summer of 2020 who conducted a trial to evaluate TOUGH® 5EC as part of a post emergent program for enhancing control of glyphosate-resistant Palmer Amaranth in Corn. The trial evaluated a multiple mode of action program and resulted in increased control with a faster kill. You will note, weeds were taller than the recommended height for treatment in the Purdue study and adding TOUGH® 5EC to the tank still increased control of these resistant weeds! (Figure 1).
In 2021, trials evaluating topramezone (Impact®), were conducted under different conditions & weed spectrums across the cornbelt at University of Illinois, Kansas State University and Purdue University. Below results from the trial at Kansas State clearly show the benefit of a faster and more thorough kill by adding TOUGH® 5EC to the mix when battling Kochia (Figure 2) and when competing against Tall Waterhemp at University of Illinois. (Photo)