2021
Continuing to examine strategies to manage waterhemp in Michigan soybean
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Michigan Soybean Committee
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
AgricultureCrop protectionHerbicide
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Christy Sprague, Michigan State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Michigan Soybean Committee
$26,825
Institution Funded:
Michigan State University
$26,825
Brief Project Summary:
As waterhemp issues continue to spread and new soybean traits become more prevalent in soybean fields, it is important to conduct research that will develop and strengthen recommendations for waterhemp control. This project includes the following objectives: Develop and evaluate waterhemp control programs utilizing LibertyLink GT27 soybean technology; Evaluate various weed control programs in Enlist soybean for waterhemp control; Compare various weed control programs that use dicamba-based (XtendiMax), glufosinate-based (Liberty), and combinations of these herbicides to standard waterhemp control programs in XtendFlex soybean; and provide new information on the cost-effective management of herbicide-resistant waterhemp to Michigan soybean growers.
Key Beneficiaries:
#agronomists, #applicators, #extension specialists, #farmers, #weed specialists
Unique Keywords:
#herbicides, #waterhemp, #weed control, #weed management
Information And Results
Project Summary

Waterhemp is quickly becoming the #1 weed issue for Michigan soybean farmers. Resistance to glyphosate (Group 9) and the ALS-inhibiting herbicides (Group 2) is found in almost all waterhemp populations identified in Michigan. Additionally, Group 14 (Flexstar and Cobra)-resistant and Group 5 (triazine)-resistant populations have also been identified in Michigan. These resistance issues make management of waterhemp a high priority. As waterhemp problems continue to spread throughout Michigan and resistance issues increase, new herbicide-resistant soybean technologies will be important for management of this weed. LibertyLink GT27, Enlist, and XtendFlex soybean are new soybean technologies that will provide farmers with new potential options to manage multiple-resistant waterhemp. Developing and identifying which management strategies work with these new herbicide-resistant soybean traits is needed. During the 2020 season, we conducted research that examined various weed management strategies with each of these soybean traits. As waterhemp issues continue to spread and these new soybean traits become more prevalent in Michigan soybean fields it will be important to continue to conduct research that will develop and strengthen our recommendations for waterhemp control with the following objectives. 1) Develop and evaluate waterhemp control programs utilizing the LibertyLink GT27 soybean technology. 2) Evaluate various weed control programs in Enlist soybean for waterhemp control. 3) Compare various weed control programs that use dicamba (XtendiMax)-based, glufosinate (Liberty)-based, and various combinations of these herbicides to standard waterhemp control programs in XtendFlex soybean. 4) Provide new information on the cost-effective management of herbicide-resistant waterhemp to Michigan soybean growers. This research is important to provide effective management strategies to Michigan soybean farmers about this economically troublesome weed.

Project Objectives

1. Develop and evaluate waterhemp control programs utilizing the LibertyLink GT27 soybean technology.
a. How do different soil-applied herbicides compare prior to applications of glyphosate + glufosinate for season-long waterhemp control?

2. Evaluate various weed control programs in Enlist soybean for waterhemp control.
a. What herbicide programs are the most effective at controlling herbicide-resistant waterhemp?
b. Are there any advantages (synergisms) or disadvantages (antagonisms) for control of multiple-resistant waterhemp if 2,4-D and Liberty (glufosinate) are applied together?

3. Compare various weed control programs that use dicamba (XtendiMax)-based, glufosinate (Liberty)-based, and various combinations of these herbicides to standard waterhemp control programs in XtendFlex soybean.
a. What herbicide programs are the most effective at controlling herbicide-resistant waterhemp?
b. Are there any advantages (synergisms) or disadvantages (antagonisms) for control of multiple-resistant waterhemp if dicamba and Liberty (glufosinate) are applied together?

4. Provide this new information on the management of herbicide-resistant waterhemp to Michigan soybean growers.

Project Deliverables

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

This research will be important to provide effective information to soybean growers to help manage this troublesome economically significant weed problem. It will also provide additional control strategies and herbicide options to aid in the management of a weed that has the ability to develop resistance to multiple-herbicide sites of action.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.