Continuous Corn and Weed Challenges

With corn prices soaring, it is becoming more common to hear about growers planting continuous corn.  Advances in trait technologies have helped minimize many of the risks often associated with planting corn-on-corn, although one important risk should not be overlooked – the issue of weed resistance.

Weed management is a particular concern in these systems in part because the performance of weed control one year can affect the performance the second year. Fewer chemical options are available without a rotational crop. In addition, continuous corn raises concerns for insect and disease management issues, stand establishment and nutrient availability.

Planting glyphosate-tolerant hybrids does not mandate the use of glyphosate. To help combat weeds with resistance or increased tolerance to glyphosate, use pre-emergence and residual herbicides, and control weeds as early as possible.  Additionally, limiting the use of glyphosate on a particular field is important.  Using a tank mix with multiple modes of action to control troublesome weeds is another resistance management strategy that can make controlling these weeds easier.

A recent Purdue University research article addresses many of the issues involved in planting continuous corn and offers some management recommendations for growing corn-on-corn successfully.  Also, visit the Resistance Fighter™ library for more resistance recommendations.

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