Herbicide-resistant weeds are spreading, spurring the search for effective new options. This summer many farmers were able to try out Enlist Duo herbicide and they’re reporting not only exceptional control of their toughest weeds but also how it stays on target.
Reducing drift and volatility
Cotton farmers this year have had access to the full Enlist system. They’ve been able to apply Enlist Duo herbicide postemergence on the more than 500,000 acres of PhytoGen brand cottonseed varieties featuring the Enlist trait that were planted this year. They’re seeing firsthand how effective Enlist Duo is at both controlling weeds and staying on target.
“When we applied the 2,4-D choline, it seemed to stick really well,” says Austin Warbington, who grows cotton and peanuts in Georgia. “I don’t believe we had any off-target movement anywhere that I could see.”
Warbington farms in an area where on-target application is critical. He wants a product that stays where he applies it. Jack Kent of Arkansas has similar needs. This summer, Kent used Enlist Duo on both Enlist cotton and Enlist soybeans, the latter grown as part of a stewarded Field Forward program. This program gives farmers the opportunity to try new technology before commercialization.
“We’ve had no drift issues whatsoever,” Kent says. “There was nothing detectible anywhere around me.”
Hitting the target and staying there
Enlist Duo herbicide features Colex-D technology, which limits drift and greatly reduces volatility.
Illinois farmer Ben Hortenstine also planted Enlist soybeans as part of the Field Forward program. “When we sprayed the Enlist Duo, drift was next to zero,” Hortenstine says. “When you’re spraying any other herbicide, it seems like you have the ‘driftable’ fines behind you. Enlist Duo sprayed straight down to the crop.”
“We don’t want any off-target movement,” says Warbington of Georgia. “I think the 2,4-D choline is really a better alternative.”
Wilting worrisome weeds
In addition to staying on target, Enlist Duo herbicide does what it’s supposed to do: control tough weeds. Farmers using the herbicide this year are impressed with the weed control they’ve achieved.
“The control provided by Enlist Duo was phenomenal,” says Luke Liechty of Indiana, who also is growing Enlist soybeans under Field Forward protocols. “Within a day, I could see the weeds we were targeting were definitely starting to curl. I was very impressed with the control of both grasses and broadleaves with Enlist Duo.”
Hortenstine of Illinois agrees, saying, “I know Enlist does a great job. It provides outstanding weed control.” He says Enlist Duo controlled his biggest problem weed – waterhemp.
Likewise, Arkansas’ Kent saw exceptional suppression of troublesome pigweed. “The weed control is beyond belief, better than anything we’ve had,” he says. “If you’re not familiar with pigweeds, they’re very aggressive, and they never stop coming at you. It’s a constant pressure.”
Clean fields are rewarding
A clean, weed-free field not only looks great from the road, it offers farmers the potential to realize higher yields. Kent says the Enlist technology has performed tremendously this year.
“Every part about this system has worked really well,” he says. “This is the best-looking cotton that’s ever been on this farm so far.”
Kent sees the Enlist system as a way to control his toughest weeds while not putting susceptible crops at risk.
“I believe if you will do what it says on the label of Enlist Duo that you’re not going to have any problems,” he says. “If we follow the rules, I feel confident that this particular herbicide is going to do exactly what it’s supposed to do.”
Enlist Duo herbicide is a solid element in a program approach to weed control. Farmers who plant Enlist crops should apply burndown and residual herbicides then follow postemergence with Enlist Duo, which features 2,4-D choline and glyphosate. In cotton and soybeans, the Enlist trait package also offers tolerance to glufosinate.
