Horseweed (Erigeron canadensis) Control in No-Till Soybean Systems on a Coarse Textured Soil

Horseweed (Erigeron canadensis) is a competitive winter or summer annual broadleaf weed. When uncontrolled, horseweed can reduce soybean (Glycine max) yields by 93%. Research was conducted to advance our knowledge on horseweed growth stage response to foliar-active and residual herbicides, fall applications, and the utility of differing herbicide technologies. Greenhouse results determined that herbicide efficacy was greatest when applied to early rosette horseweed providing an average control of 70% across herbicide treatments. Field trials determined that preventing new emergence with flumioxazin, added with dicamba or paraquat to kill existing plants in the fall, increased control to 99% the following spring. Field trials also determined that dicamba, applied PRE or POST, provided excellent horseweed control and was an effective soybean technology system for horseweed-infested fields. Saflufenacil controlled existing plants, but residual benefits were unclear. Further research must be done to investigate residual activity of PRE herbicides applied before horseweed emergence