Using Modes of Action to Manage Weeds – and Risk

Knowing what growers can do out of the gate to help prevent weed issues later in the season is priceless, especially in a year clouded with uncertainty. Further complicating things is the fact that while some areas of the country are experiencing flooding conditions that are delaying planting, other areas are experiencing drought conditions,

“The beauty behind designing a preventive program that gets growers off to their best start is that it stops problems before they start,” says Kenny Seebold, Valent’s senior director for research and development.

Controlling weeds before they can outcompete a crop sets growers up to minimize losses and maximize gains. This starts with a well-timed preemergence herbicide program that helps manage potential resistance development.

“Resistance forms when working with a product with a single mode of action that works in a very specific way on a biological pathway. Over time, those organisms evolve mechanisms to adapt, and eventually, something will emerge in the population that is either less sensitive or resistant. Then, the next thing you know, the product you depend on doesn't work like you expect it to,” Seebold says.

To avoid this, Seebold recommends minimizing resistance development risk by rotating modes of action or using herbicides that contain multiple modes of action.

“Controlling weeds with multiple modes of action ensures we have products that provide control, while also minimizing potential resistance development,” says Will Griffin, row crop segment manager for Valent U.S.A.

Leaning into multiple modes of action as a control mechanism for resistance is made easier with Maverick Corn Herbicide and Perpetuo Herbicide from Valent U.S.A.

“Maverick is a great preemergence herbicide with three modes of action, and Perpetuo offers two modes of action and both a corn preemergence and postemergence label. Our Fierce® brand herbicides also offer either two or three modes of action based on the product chosen,” Griffin adds.

With Maverick, growers gain broad-spectrum weed control with long-lasting residual activity.

“Residual control is not just about controlling the weeds and pests that are in the field at the time we make an application. As we look forward from a truly sustainable perspective, residual activity is also about the number of times we travel across the field and managing potential resistance development with overlapping residuals,” Seebold says. Click here for more information about Valent corn herbicides or talk to your local retailer.