Start clean: Protect yields now in no-till soybean
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EmailEditor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSU Crop Advisory Team
Alerts. Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is
included.
Timely burndown herbicide applications in no-till fields are extremely
important in protecting soybean yield. As no-till drills start planting
soybeans, remember the importance of a timely burndown application. The
tendency for a number of growers, particularly those planting Roundup
Ready soybean, will be to plant into a weedy mess and not worry about
applying their burndown herbicide until later, or to wait until most of
the summer annual weeds have emerged before making their first
post-emergence glyphosate application.
These delayed burndown applications can reduce soybean yield, by
inhibiting soybean emergence and growth. By delaying these applications,
weeds become larger and can often be tougher to control. Many times
dense weed populations (or mats) can even interfere with planting.
Competition from these early-season weeds can reduce soybean yield by as
much as 16 percent (8.3 bu) (Figure 1). This could lead to as much as a $56.44/A loss in revenue at the end of the season with current soybean prices ($6.80).
Additionally, these carpets of weeds can harbor soybean insects and diseases causing additional problems for the soybean crop. Remember early control of these weeds is important.
If a burndown herbicide application cannot be made prior to planting,
it should be made shortly thereafter. Any delays in these applications
can reduce soybean yield. A complete listing of burndown herbicides and
their effectiveness ratings can be found in Table 2C of the 2007 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops
(E-434). Remember, treatments that contain 1 pt/A of 2,4-D ester need
to be applied a minimum of seven days before soybean planting.
