By Scout Nelson
As the growing season approaches, Kansas State University's Jeremie Kouame, a weed scientist, underscores the urgency of addressing kochia, an annual weed disrupting crops across western Kansas.
With kochia emerging as early as February, Kouame advocates for the application of pre-emergence herbicides, specifically a tank mix of dicamba and atrazine, to thwart the weed's early growth and protect soil moisture vital for crops.
Yearly treatment is essential for managing kochia, as failure to control it allows for the proliferation of new, potentially problematic seedlings. Regular field checks are crucial in detecting early signs of kochia, with both manual inspections and drone technology playing a role in effective weed management.
Sarah Lancaster, another weed specialist at K-State, points to the importance of vigilance against herbicide-resistant kochia strains. Despite farmers' efforts using herbicide combinations, Lancaster encounters ongoing concerns over Group 14 herbicide resistance.
Research involving multi-state crop studies has shown promising results, particularly with a herbicide regimen for corn that eradicates 99% of glyphosate-resistant kochia.
This program includes treatments such as Degree Xtra followed by Impact, Verdict followed by Status, and Balance Flexx followed by Laudis plus AAtrex, which are known to enhance each other's effectiveness when combined.
Lancaster also highlights Verdict, a combination of dimethenamid-p and saflufenacil, as a potent solution against kochia in sorghum fields, offering both residual and burndown activity against kochia and pigweeds.
This comprehensive approach by K-State's weed scientists provides a blueprint for farmers to safeguard their crops against the persistent threat of kochia.
Photo Credit -kansas-state-university
Categories: Kansas, Crops