Herbicide Programs Utilizing Halauxifen-Methyl for Glyphosate-Resistant Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) Control in Soybean

Evolution of glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds, such as horseweed, presents major challenges in no-till soybean production systems. Effective GR horseweed control with preplant burndown applications is necessary to prevent potential soybean yield losses due to competition and to manage the soil weed seedbank. Halauxifen-methyl is a new synthetic auxin herbicide for broadleaf weed control in preplant burndown applications for soybean and other crops at low use rates (5 g ae ha–1). Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of herbicide treatments containing halauxifen-methyl for control of GR horseweed in comparison to existing herbicide treatments utilized in no-till GR soybean systems. Glyphosate alone controlled horseweed 33%. Herbicide treatments that included halauxifenmethyl, dicamba, or saflufenacil in combination with glyphosate controlled horseweed 87% to 96%, 89%, and 93%, respectively, 35 d after burndown application (DAB). Horseweed control, horseweed density reduction, and ground cover reduction by halauxifen-methyl plus glyphosate was similar to dicamba plus glyphosate. Horseweed control was greater for halauxifen-methyl plus glyphosate than for 2,4-D plus glyphosate. Cloransulam, cloransulam plus flumioxazin, and cloransulam plus sulfentrazone added to halauxifenmethyl plus glyphosate increased horseweed control and reduced horseweed density. No herbicide injury or soybean yield reduction was observed for treatments containing halauxifen-methyl. Nomenclature: 2,4-D; dicamba; glufosinate; glyphosate; halauxifen-methyl; saflufenacil; horseweed, Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. ERICA; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.