If you have a zero-tolerance policy for weeds, adopt a program approach that utilizes residual herbicides and multiple modes of action. And remember to start the process well before your soybean seed goes into the ground.

Start Clean at Planting

“When we’re planting, we want a clean field,” says Steve Snyder, Enlist^® field specialist. “We want to start clean, with tillage or a quality burndown program. Once you get behind on weed control, you’re usually behind most of the year.”

He says success comes from proper application timing and using different modes of action, as well as residuals.

“It’s much easier to kill a weed that has only one or two growing points. That’s why it’s important to get your preemergence herbicide out prior to or soon after planting,” Snyder explains. “For instance, in Enlist E3 soybean fields, you can apply Sonic herbicide preplant or up to three days after planting. Sonic offers two modes of action and several weeks of residual activity.”

Layer Residual Herbicides

Depending on the product, a residual can provide four to eight weeks of control, as long as it gets enough moisture to activate. However, that protection eventually wears out. That’s where it pays to use layered residuals.

“By layered residuals, we mean adding a residual product to your postemergence application program as well,” Snyder says. “If you make a timely postemergence application of a residual with an Enlist herbicide, you can expand protection until the crop canopies and weed pressure declines.”

For example, EverpreX® herbicide can be tank-mixed with Enlist One® herbicide to provide an additional mode of action and several weeks’ residual weed control to protect Enlist E3^® soybeans postemergence.

Use Multiple Modes of Action

Snyder also contends multiple modes of action offer important near- and long-term benefits. He recommends using at least three different modes of action per crop, per season — and to try switching up the ones you use season over season.

For instance, most preemergence premix herbicides contain at least two modes of action. Then, as part of a postemergence program, Enlist Duo® herbicide offers two more: 2,4-D choline and glyphosate. You also can get those two additional postemergence modes by instead tank-mixing Enlist One (2,4-D choline) with glyphosate or Liberty^® herbicide (glufosinate). Finally, if you add a qualified residual post, you get a fifth mode of action. It’s important to note, Enlist One and Enlist Duo are the only 2,4-D products that can be used with Enlist crops.

“Different modes of action working on that weed gives us more effective control. It also helps reduce potential for resistance in the future,” Snyder says. “We got used to relying on one mode of action in the past, and we know the results. We don’t want that to happen again. We want to be able to use this incredibly effective tool we have in the Enlist weed control system not just one or two years but for many years to come.”

Plan for 2024 Weed Control

As you work on your 2024 field management and weed control plans for Enlist E3 soybeans, Snyder says, now is a great time to take advantage of additional resources to help.

“We have educational materials covering everything you need to know about implementing a program approach to weed control,” he says. “I recommend starting with the A Step Ahead webinars. This series features Enlist field specialists presenting expert advice on a range of topics, including planting, on-target applications and tank-mixing with Enlist herbicides.”

Get started now by visiting the A Step Ahead Webinar Series website to register for upcoming sessions or watch previously recorded webinars.

^® _{Enlist, Enlist Duo, Enlist E3, Enlist One, EverpreX and Sonic are trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies.} ^® _{Liberty is a registered trademark of BASF. The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3}^® _{soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies L.L.C. Enlist Duo}^® _{and Enlist One}^® _{herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use with Enlist}^® _{crops. Consult Enlist herbicide labels for weed species controlled. EverpreX}^® _{and Sonic}^® _{are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. © 2023 Corteva.}