Some farmers have asked us whether Roundup®-resistant weeds could develop in their fields. While there is a potential for weed resistance to develop, it can be greatly minimized through best management practices.
A pre-emptive strategy to minimize the problem in corn can be accomplished by integrating tillage, crop rotation, rotation with herbicides with different modes of action (preferably soil applied herbicides) and tank mixes of different herbicides.
Roundup Ready technology can be used effectively, year after year, while minimizing the risks of developing weed resistance. One of the biggest pluses for corn growers in meeting the resistance challenge is the fact that they can learn from the experience gained from other Roundup Ready crops introduced over the past two decades.
In Summary:
- Know your weed pressure in each field and understand weed emergence patterns to ensure timely post-emergence applications.
- Use a residual herbicide to manage early-season weed flushes.
- Be sure fields are weed-free when planting starts. Corn is especially sensitive to weed competition early in the season.
- Remove weeds before they get 4 or 5 inches tall or there can be a dramatic decline in yield.
- Apply a full rate of Roundup herbicide when weeds are the right size.
For hard-to-control weeds, consider using a diversified weed control strategy, such as cultivation and herbicide with a different mode of action.
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