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Consider growth stage, weed height and tank-mixes when applying post-emerge herbicide on corn.

June 2, 2020

2 Min Read
post-emerge-corn-herbicides.jpg
Corn at the two to three leaf stage in a field near Carleton, NE. Many residual herbicides can be applied after corn emergence. See Table 1 for more details.University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Application of soil residual herbicides is important because they deliver a few weeks of residual weed control and aid in weed resistance management by incorporating additional site(s) of action in herbicide program. Several residual herbicides can be applied after corn emergence without injury to corn. A Few important factors should be considered when addressing weed control with residual herbicides applied after corn emergence:

  • Corn growth stage

  • Weed height

  • Tank-mix partner

Except some premix products such as Acuron, Harness Max, and Resicore with multiple herbicide active ingredients, these products generally do not have foliar activity and will not control weeds present at the time of application. Therefore, they should be tank-mixed with foliar active herbicides labeled in corn for control of existing weeds. Some of the herbicides, including Acuron, Anthem Maxx, Bicep II Magnum, Breakfree ATZ Lite, Degree Xtra, FulTime NXT, Keystone LA NXT, and Volley ATZ NXT contain active ingredients (such as atrazine) that has foliar activity. When applied at the correct weed growth stage, they will provide burndown activity (Table 1). Growers should consult product labels for additional information, such as the need for tank-mix partners or spray additives to improve control of existing weeds. For example, the post-emergence activity of atrazine can be increased by including an oil additive, yet additives should not be used if applying Balance Flexx or Corvus after corn emergence (Table 1).

Tank-mix partners may cause other effects regardless of the application timing. Follow application timing and other restrictions of tank-mix herbicide partner(s) as noted in the herbicide label. Table 1 has specific information for residual herbicides that can be applied after corn emergence with regard to corn stage and weed height. Length and effectiveness of residual activity from in-crop herbicide application will vary depending on:

  • Weed species present

  • Application rate of herbicide

  • Rainfall or irrigation following application (minimum of 0.5 inch within a week of application is ideal to activate residual herbicide)

  • Density of the weed and crop canopy at the time of application

  • Length of subsequent weed germination events

 

Table 1. Corn growth stage and maximum weed stage when residual herbicides can be applied post-emergence.

Herbicide

Aatrex / Atrazine

Acuron

Anthem MAXX

Armezon PRO

Balance Flexxa

Bicep II Magnum / Cinch ATZ

Bicep II Lite Magnum / Cinch ATZ Lite

Bicep II Magnum

Breakfree

Breakfree ATZ

Breakfree ATZ Lite

Callistob

Corvusa

Degree

Degree Xtra

Dual Magnum

Dual II Magnum / Cinch

Expert

FulTime NXT

G-MAX Lite

Guardsman Max

Harness Maxx

Harness Xtra / Confidence Xtra

Hornet WDG

Instigate

Keystone

Keystone LA NXT

Lumax EZ / Lexar EZ

Outlook

Prowl H2O

Python

Resicore

Resolve

Surpass NXT

Stalwart C

Stalwart Xtra

SureStart / TripleFLEX

TopNotch

Warrant

Zemax

Zidua

a If Balance Flexx and Corvus is applied after the corn has emerged; do not add crop oil concentrate.
b Injury may occur if Callisto is applied post-emergence to corn that has been treated with Counter. Do not tank-mix Callisto with any organophosphate or carbamate insecticide. Do not cultivate within seven days of application.

Originally posted by University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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