Three technologies for controlling tough weeds

Genetic engineering has made it possible to introduce different technologies into soybean cultivars to manage complex weed control situations.
 

In our era of sustainable agriculture and climate change, the increase in areas under direct seeding and reduced tillage with dethatchers has led to some weeds becoming more established in the field.

Biennial and perennial weeds are very well adapted to these management systems and are thriving in Québec fields. In the past, deep tillage brought up annual weeds and buried other types. These ubiquitous annual weeds are easily controlled with the application of residual herbicides, which prevent weed germination and promote crop establishment.

But while perennial and biennial weeds can be controlled by applying glyphosate, this method has a limited effect on certain weeds such as dandelion, field horsetail and field sow-thistle.

Here are three technologies on the market to help control these tough weeds:

• Xtend: Badger R2X, Grizzly R2X, Cobra R2X, Viper R2X, Maris R2X

• XtendFlex: Avalanche XF

• Enlist E3: Boa E3, Kites E3, Harrier E3
   

How to use these technologies effectively

Xtend and XtendFlex are highly effective in inhibiting the growth of alfalfa, dandelion, red clover and field sow-thistle.

Dandelion and sow thistle are difficult to control in direct-sown fields, while red clover and alfalfa can be a problem in fields sown on first breaking.

In both cases, the use of Xtend and XtendFlex together with our industry-leading genetics allows the use of the active ingredient dicamba (Engenia) in combination with glyphosate (Roundup) to reduce the population of these weeds.

Enlist E3, combined with our top-rank genetics, is highly effective in the control of field horsetail in soybean crops.

It allows the use of the active ingredient 2,4-D (choline salt) in combination with glyphosate (Enlist DuoTM) to provide adequate post-emergence control of field horsetail in soybeans.

The following photos show the effect of this weed control technology in Kites E3 soybeans on horsetail two days, seven days and 14 days after the product was applied to the crop to control field horsetail.
 
 

Genetics as an ally

Modern agriculture offers weed control options linked to the technology in your soybean genetics. Today, choosing genetics is not just about choosing a cultivar—it’s about choosing a technology that offers solutions to the complex weed control problems that you face on your farm.

Make genetics your ally in the fight against tough-to-control weeds.

With a complete range of high-tech products, Maizex is the seed company of choice to help farmers control tough weeds.
 

Source: The original version of this article was published in French in Coopérateur magazine.