Palmer Amaranth (<i>Amaranthus palmeri</i> S. Wats.) and Pitted Morningglory (<i>Ipomoea lacunosa</i> L.) Control in Dicamba Tolerant Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L.)

Abstract

Palmer amaranth and pitted morningglory are difficult to manage weeds present in South Carolina soybean production fields. Glyphosate and ALS-resistant Palmer amaranth biotypes have spread rapidly throughout South Carolina making the control of these weeds more difficult. Recently, soybean varieties with tolerance to dicamba have been introduced along with several new ultra-low volatility formulations of dicamba to help with the problem. Field experiments were conducted near Blackville, SC in 2012 and 2013 to evaluate dicamba herbicide programs for broadleaf weed management in dicamba tolerant soybean. At 2 weeks after POST1 (2 WAP1), Palmer amaranth control ranged from 93% to 100% across the PRE followed by POST treatments in 2012 and 2013. By 2 weeks after POST2 (2 WAP2), control was 95% or better. Treatments containing two or three herbicide applications (PRE, POST1 and POST2) offered good to excellent (92% - 100%) pitted morningglory control. No differences in weed control were observed among treatments with 3 application times compared to those applied twice. In general, all treatments with a PRE followed by at least one POST application provided good to excellent control of Palmer amaranth and pitted morningglory. Overall, a PRE (either dicamba or flumioxazin) followed by a dicamba or a non-dicamba containing POST treatment provided good to excellent control of Palmer amaranth and pitted morningglory when applied at the correct growth stage.