Steve Ruhl, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent
Tom Weiler, Morrow County Producer
Ed Lentz, Extension Agronomy Specialist
To evaluate the effectiveness of combinations of existing herbicides with a new preemergence herbicide called Balance.
| Nearest Town: | Chesterville |
| Major Soil Type: | Millgrove |
| Drainage: | Systematic |
| Previous Crop: | Soybeans |
| Tillage: | Fall chisel, field cultivate |
| Variety: | Golden Harvest 2515 |
| Planting Date: | May 6, 1998 |
| Planting Population: | 27,600/A |
| Soil Test: | pH 7.0 |
| P 23 ppm | |
| K 154 ppm | |
| Fertilizer Applied: | 180 lb NH3+/A |
| Herbicides: | Various - Applied May 12 |
| Plant Population @Harvest: | 25,200/A |
| Harvest Date: | October 15 |
Eight different treatments were replicated four times in a random block design. Individual plot size was 10' wide x 40' long. An untreated control was left to determine the weed pressure at the site. The treatments were rated on their effectiveness in controlling annual grasses, lambsquarters, giant ragweed, and velvetleaf 86 days after application (August 6). The weed pressure was light to moderate at this site.
| Weed Control Rating (%) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Emerge Treatment | Rate/A | Annual Grass | Lambs- quarter |
Giant Ragweed | Velvetleaf | Herbicide Cost ($) | Total Cost ($)* |
| Balance | 2 oz | 90.0 c | 100 a | 97.8 b | 99 | 16.00 | 20.00 |
| Balance | 2 oz | 16.00 | |||||
| Dual II | 1 pt | 90.3c | 100 a | 97.8 b | 100 | 9.38 | 29.38 |
| Balance | 2 oz | 16.00 | |||||
| Bicep II | 1.2 qt | 91.0 c | 100 a | 100 a | 100 | 11.40 | 31.40 |
| Balance | 2 oz | 16.00 | |||||
| Harness Xtra | 1.25 qt | 99.3 a | 100 a | 100 a | 100 | 11.88 | 31.88 |
| Balance | 2 oz | 16.00 | |||||
| Atrazine | 1.5 lb | 90.3 c | 100 a | 100 a | 100 | 4.97 | 24.97 |
| Bicep II | 2.7 qt | 88.3 c | 92.0 b | 100 a | 100 | 25.65 | 29.65 |
| Balance | 2 oz | 16.00 | |||||
| Bicep II | 1.2 qt | 11.40 | |||||
| Simazine | 0.75 lb | 91.0 c | 100 a | 100 a | 100 | 2.84 | 34.24 |
| Balance | 2 oz | 16.00 | |||||
| Dual II | 1 pt | 9.38 | |||||
| Atrazine | 1.5 lb | 94.8 b | 100 a | 100 a | 100 | 4.97 | 34.35 |
| LSD (0.05%) | 3.7 | 1.1 | 1.1 | NS | |||
| CV | 2.8% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.7% | |||
* Application cost $4.00/A included in each treatment. Prices used were in-season retail prices. Weed control ratings equal percent of weeds controlled relative to untreated check. Average of four replications. Treatment means followed by the same letter are not significantly different from each other. | |||||||
In the spring Balance was an experimental preemergence corn herbicide with activity on annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. During September 1998 Balance received a full label for use by the EPA. Balance looks to be a good herbicide choice for producers. According to this trial, grass control was significantly enhanced when a half rate of Harness Xtra was added to Balance. Giant ragweed control was also improved by adding other preemergence herbicides with the exception of Dual II. Because of the light to moderate weed pressure, the weed control results were all acceptable. When Balance is used in addition to reduced rates of traditional corn herbicides, it should provide excellent control over a wide variety of weed pressures, except for giant ragweed, morningglory, or common cocklebur.
For additional information, contact:
Steve Ruhl
Ohio State University Extension, Morrow County
871 W. Marion Rd., Suite 102
Mt. Gilead, OH 43338
419-947-1070
ruhl.1@osu.edu