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On April 08, 2019

To Control Winter Annual Weeds In Wheat And Barley

Populations of winter annual weeds will become more prevalent in early April and can compete with wheat and barley and slow the rate of crop development potentially reducing yield. If winter annual weeds like common chickweed, henbit, purple deadnettle, horseweed, and others emerge with the small grain and are left unchecked, the potential impact on yield could be great. Harmony Extra is still probably the most broad spectrum herbicide for broadleaf control. Harmony SG contains only one of the active ingredients (thifensulfuron) in Harmony Extra and thus does not have the same weed control spectrum. Clarity, Banvel, 2,4-D, or MCPA can improve the control of some winter annuals and perennials and Stinger is the most effective small grain herbicide for thistles. Harmony SG or Harmony Extra should be included where control of chickweed is desired, since these are the only herbicides that control this weed but if it is ALS-resistant than you will need to include Glory or Starane. Consider using 2,4-D and Clarity or Huskie if horseweed/marestail is a problem in small grains. Prowl H2O is also labeled for use up to growth stage 7 but it must be applied before weeds germinate or tank mixed with effective post herbicides. Refer to the Agronomy Guide table for additional details.

Herbicides applied in early spring can be slow under the typically cool conditions in early April. Remember that cool (less than 50 F) cloudy days can reduce herbicide activity. Applications this early are not likely to effectively control dandelions or Canada thistle. These weeds would be more effectively controlled with a later spring application.

Weedy grasses, such as downy brome, cheat, annual bluegrass, annual ryegrass, and roughstalk bluegrass are also becoming more of a problem in Pennsylvania. The wheat herbicides available for control of grasses, Axial, Maverick, Osprey, PowerFlex, and Prowl H2O are most effective when applied in the fall. Some of these products can work in the spring, but to be effective, the weeds must be small. Or in the case of Prowl, it must be applied before weeds germinate.

Once wheat has passed Feeke’s Stage 6 (i.e., when the first node of stem is visible), the risk of herbicide injury from 2,4-D, MCPA, Banvel/Clarity, or Curtail increases and application of these herbicides is not recommended. In this situation, the remaining herbicide options for broadleaf weed control are Harmony Extra (similar products: Edition, Treaty Extra, Nimble, others), Harmony SG (similar products: Treaty, Harass, Volta), Buctril, Stinger and Starane. Harmony Extra and Harmony SG (and the similar products listed above) can be applied to wheat until the flag leaf is visible (before Feeke’s Stage 8). Buctril, Huskie, Stinger and Starane can be applied to wheat up to boot stage (before Feeke’s Stage 9). 

Each spring there are questions about the risks associated with 2,4-D or MCPA application to wheat past Feeke’s Stage 6. Wheat tolerance of 2,4-D is highest between Feeke’s stages 3 and 6 and is lowest in Feeke’s Stages 9 and 10. Between stages 6 and 9, sensitivity to 2,4-D gradually increases as wheat growth stage advances. Thus, the risk of injury increases as wheat growth stage advances between stages 6 and 9. Severe injury is highly probable when 2,4-D is applied at Feeke’s stages 9 and 10.

It is recommended that application of 2,4-D to wheat be made after wheat has reached Feeke’s stage 3 but prior to Feeke’s stage 6. If growers choose to apply 2,4-D at later stages, they need to understand the associated risk. This risk can be minimized by applying the amine form of 2,4-D or reducing the rate of a 2,4-D ester. A much better alternative on wheat past Feeke’s stage 6 is to use another broadleaf herbicide with a wider application window that is effective on the weeds present in the field.

For more information on the Feeke Stages of Growth see: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-422.pdf

Liquid urea-ammonium nitrate fertilizer (UAN) is a common carrier for herbicides in wheat. The most common herbicide to be used in this manner is 2,4-D ester (2,4-D amine is difficult to mix in UAN). Application of herbicide in liquid nitrogen can cause leaf burn from the nitrogen, especially under hot, humid conditions. This risk increases with later wheat growth stages because more leaf area is exposed to the treatment and recovery time is shorter. In addition, the use of surfactant (required with herbicides such as Harmony Extra) greatly increases leaf burn potential. Research at Michigan State Univ. has demonstrated that excessive leaf burn from high nitrogen rates combined with surfactant can reduce wheat yield. To minimize this risk do not apply more than 20 lbs of nitrogen per acre in the form of UAN when using a surfactant with herbicide. Do not apply more than 40 lbs of nitrogen per acre in the form of UAN when no surfactant is used. Avoid high-temperature, high-humidity days. Late afternoon applications carry less risk of leaf burn.

To Learn About Cover Crops

A cover crop walk will be held at the Alvin Zimmerman Farm, 1555 Weaverland Road, East Earl, PA 17519,  on Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 9 AM — 11 AM. This will be your opportunity to see how various cover crops survived the winter. Penn State agronomist Jeff Graybill will lead a tour of the eight cover crop plots. For more information call 717-951-9417. There will also be a discussion of a new manure storage on the farm and funding available for these structures.

Quote Of The Week: ““I have never understood why it is “greed” to want to keep the money you have earned but not greed to want to take somebody else’s money.” Dr. Thomas Sowell, Economist, Stanford University