Agronomic Practices Influencing Triazine-Resistant Weed Distribution in Ontario

Abstract

Triazine-resistant (TR) biotypes of weeds normally susceptible (S) to triazine herbicides first were documented in Ontario in 1974. By 1988, at least nine weed species had TR biotypes, and at least 50% of the corn-producing areas were infested. Corn has been grown the longest in the southwestern Ontario, but TR weeds are only a minor problem there. Predominant agronomic practices in the southwest include crop rotation, atrazine use on 60% of corn land, use of other postemergence herbicides, interrow cultivation, little silage corn, and little manure returned to the land. Corn, particularly grain corn, is new as a large hectareage crop in eastern Ontario. However, more than 75% of corn land in that area is infested with two or more TR weed species. Predominant agronomic practices in the east include continuous corn, nearly all fields are atrazine treated, use of postemergence herbicides is not common, cultivation is rare, 25% of the corn is for silage, and manure from corn silage is returned to all cultivated land. Adequate herbicide programs exist to control TR weeds in corn and other crops. However, the spread from field to field and from farm to farm is often rapid, particularly in eastern Ontario.