More Reason to Control Weeds Early

Research from the University of Guelph, Ontario, reveals that the environment in which a corn seedling grows is more significant than previously thought for protecting yield. Corn seedlings are able to detect the presence of weeds at emergence and will change their growth pattern in response.

The detected changes in light quality, caused by the presence of weeds, lead to the seedling’s adjustment of carbon allocation and leaf orientation to optimize interception of light quality and quantity. In addition, in a weedy environment, newly emerged corn shifts energy from developing roots to developing shoot mass to increase plant height, leaf dry weight and leaf area. The development of weak roots and random leaf orientation will negatively affect yield.

Early season weed competition in cereals is just as important as in corn. Early grass weed competition in wheat can greatly reduce yield potential, as the following data chart from North Dakota State University demonstrates.*

Grass Weed Competition in Wheat

Weeds/sq. yard	Foxtail	Wild oats
	% wheat yield reduction
10	0	8-9
50	4-5	18
75	6-7	25
100	8-9	34
150	15	40

Clearly, the larger the infestation of grass weeds, the higher the damage, resulting in reduced yield.

Syngenta offers solutions for corn growers and cereal growers alike to combat early season weeds, Lumax^® and Lexar^® pre-emergence herbicides in corn, and  Axial^® XL  post-emeregence herbicide in wheat and barley, offer optimal solutions to help reach full yield potential.

Lexar^® and Lumax^® are Restricted-Use Pesticides.

Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying and using these products. Axial^® XL, Lumax^® and Lexar^® are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

* Zollinger, R. K.  “2007 North Dakota Weed Control Guide”. North Dakota State University Agriculture and University Extension. W-253, January 2007. < http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/weeds/w253/w253-3d.htm>.