A new post-emergence corn herbicide from Bayer CropScience controls broadleaf weeds and tough grasses but doesn't restrict rotation options for growers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently approved Laudis for use in all corn crops, includingfield corn, sweet corn, popcorn and inbreds used in seed production.

Laudis is a systemic herbicide that the company particularly promotes for use against broadleaf weeds such as pigweeds, tall and common waterhemp, giant and common ragweed, common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, sunflower, nightshade and cocklebur.

In addition, Bayer points out in a news release, Laudis can help corn growers break herbicide resistance problems, such as glyphosate resistance, because it introduces a unique chemistry and new mode-of-action into corn growers' fields.

Once applied, Bayer reports, Laudis provides continued control, as it stays active in the soil during the growing season, until the crop canopy forms. However, the herbicide does not limit growers' ability to rotate to soybeans the following season. Laudis has no hybrid restrictions or interactions with any insecticides, fungicides or seed treatments.

Yet, Laudis also is tough on stubborn grasses, says Jeff Springsteen, Bayer CropScience corn herbicides manager. Springsteen particularly points to Laudis as being effective against giant and yellow foxtail, woolly cupgrass, barnyardgrass, shattercane, large crabgrass, broadleaf signalgrass and seedling Johnsongrass.

"In field trials last summer, we observed that other herbicides did not completely eliminate the grasses; at best, they simply suppressed many of them," Springsteen says.

Laudis can be tankmixed with Liberty herbicide, for application on LibertyLink hybrids. Plus, Bayer reports, studies show adding Laudis to every tank of glyphosate applied to Roundup Ready corn provides extended control to canopy on both broadleaves and grasses, including those with proven resistance. Laudis also enhances control in other postemergence programs.

Laudis can be applied in corn from crop emergence up to the V-7 growth stage. To avoid any negative impact on crop yield potential from weed competition, Philbrook recommends that growers apply the herbicide at 3 fluid ounces per acre, before weeds reach or exceed 4 inches in height.

For more information about Laudis, corn growers can log onto a virtual plot tour at www.LaudisInAction.com.

For additional information, specific to approval and use in their specific states, growers are encouraged to contact their local Bayer CropScience representative; or, to call 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937).