Efficacy of POST glyphosate applications in combination with other POST herbicides in glyphosate-resistant corn (Zea mays L.)

The use of glyphosate-resistant corn has facilitated a shift from a reliance on preemergence residual herbicides to postemergence (POST) herbicides, and in some cases exclusively glyphosate. Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that is relatively slow-acting, which may allow weeds to continue to compete with corn after application and potentially decrease crop yield. The addition of several POST corn herbicides, with some residual control, to an early-season glyphosate application was examined to determine if the tankmix combination would improve the speed of weed control compared to glyphosate applied alone. Seven field trials were conducted over three years (2009, 2010 and 2011) near Ridgetown and Exeter, Ontario. The control of common ragweed was improved 3 days after application (DAA) with three POST glyphosate tankmixes compared to glyphosate alone. However control was still less than 55%. Depending on the weed species examined, at 28 DAA two of the glyphosate tankmix treatments tested provided better common ragweed, common lambsquarters, or green foxtail control than glyphosate alone. Treatments providing better weed control at 28 DAA also typically decreased weed density compared to glyphosate alone.