Control of Glyphosate-Resistant Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) with Dicamba Applied Preplant and Postemergence in Dicamba-Resistant Soybean

Abstract

Herbicide-resistant crops, such as glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean, allow for broad-spectrum, flexible weed control with minimal crop injury; however, the development of GR weeds, such as horseweed, has forced reliance on alternative herbicides for control of these weeds. While preplant (PP) herbicides provide excellent control of GR-horseweed, there are currently no POST herbicide control options within soybean. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dicamba for the control of GR-horseweed when applied PP, POST, and sequentially in dicamba-resistant soybean. Dicamba applied PP at 600 g a.e. ha−1provided 90 to 100% control of GR-horseweed 8 wk after application (WAA) across three field trials conducted in Ontario in 2011 and 2012. Similarly, sequential applications provided 91 to 100% control. This technology provides a much-needed POST option of dicamba to be applied as a rescue treatment to control weed escapes caused by late emergence or poor initial control following a PP herbicide application.