Horsenettle is a perennial that spreads through creeping rootstocks, in addition to reproduction by seed. A main distinguishing feature of horsenettle is the bristly stem, which is covered with hairs and spines. Leaves are alternate, oblong, and lobed, with yellow prickles on the petioles, midrib and veins. The plant produces juicy, yellow berries that are about 1/2 inch in diameter and contain the seeds. Horsnettle is found mainly in no-till fields, and is difficult to control. It typically emerges after crop planting, and postemergence herbcides are only marginally effective.
Noncrop/Fallow Areas. Application of glyphosate (3 lbs ae/A or 2% solution for spot treatment), dicamba (2 quarts/A), or 2,4-D ester (2 quarts/A) when horsenettle is in the late-bud to flowering stage are most effective. Control ranges from fair to good with these treatments
Corn. Preplant herbicides are not effective for control of horsenettle. Most effective suppression/control results from postemergence application of Beacon (3/4 ounce/A), Spirit (1 ounce/A), or Exceed (1 ounce/A) with 1/4 to 1/2 pint/A of dicamba or 2,4-D. Other treatments with activity include glyphosate (0.75 lb ae/A - Roundup Ready corn), dicamba (1/2 to 1 pint/A), and Marksman (3.5 pints/A) or combinations of Accent (2/3 ounce/A) or Permit (2/3 ounce/A) with dicamba. Permit can be applied with 2,4-D with similar results. Use drop nozzles to apply dicamba or 2,4-D if corn is more than 8 inches tall in order to reduce the risk of crop injury.
Soybeans. Postemergence application of Classic (3/4 ounce/A), Synchrony STS (1/2 ounce/A), Pursuit (1.44 ounce/A), or glyphosate (Roundup Ready soybeans) can suppress horsenettle.
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