Insurance Protection for Corn Crop
Soil herbicides for corn are a key aspect of the system for protecting the crop from weeds. However, the application of insurance products is equally important: firstly, the basic herbicide may not always ensure 100% effectiveness due to natural and other reasons, and secondly, to control subsequent waves of weed emergence. Therefore, specialists from Ukravit advise not to neglect insurance protection in order to avoid losing a significant portion of future yield during the herbicide-critical period of the crop.
This is reported by AgroReview
“Primarily, up to the 10th leaf, all resources allocated to corn are an easy target for weeds,” notes Oleksandr Myhlovets, head of the agronomy department at Ukravit. “During this period, the cultivated plant is characterized by a slow growth rate, which leads to its low competitiveness against weed vegetation both morphologically and in terms of light, moisture, space, and mineral nutrient utilization. Corn is particularly sensitive to competitors from the three-leaf stage, as during this period it begins to absorb nutrients independently through its root system, thus requiring balanced mineral nutrition, sufficient moisture, and sunlight to establish a high level of future yield. Therefore, even if a basic herbicide protection has been applied to the crops, it should be supplemented with a broad-spectrum insurance herbicide spray if necessary, especially if the preceding crop was sunflower. This measure will help control a complex of grassy and broadleaf weeds and create a competitive-free environment for corn growth and development.”
For reliable control of a wide range of grassy and certain broadleaf weed species, Oleksandr recommends opting for the herbicide StelaVit (topramezone, 50 g/l). Its active ingredient has a pronounced systemic action and quickly penetrates the plant through shoots, roots, and leaves. Subsequently, it suppresses the biosynthesis of carotenoids by inhibiting the enzyme (4-HPPD) in the chlorophyll pathway and the final breakdown of chloroplasts, leading to rapid leaf bleaching, followed by necrosis and death. Additionally, it is an excellent alternative to products based on mesotrione, as topramezone has a lower residual effect on subsequent crops in the rotation.
StelaVit is an effective solution against species such as mouse-ear chickweed, chicken millet, bleeding heart, Indian eleusine, and finger-like pigweed, as well as suppressing species of ragweed, amaranth, and sunflower and rapeseed volunteers. It is characterized by rapid action on weeds and simultaneously, in the presence of moisture, suppresses subsequent waves of their emergence, providing long-lasting control. Moreover, the herbicide is extremely gentle on corn plants and does not inhibit their growth and development.
If the crops are characterized by a high level of weed infestation, particularly with resistant sunflower and rapeseed volunteers, ragweed, common mallow, and others, the specialist recommends definitely adding a tank partner – Dyvo N, 0.35-0.5 l/ha or other herbicides from the Ukravit product portfolio, depending on the dominant species.