How to Get the Most Out of Your Trait Selection
Farmers must consider many factors in placing new technologies on their operations. With strategic field planning, farmers can place herbicide trait technologies so they can be more successful using the systems’ weed control components.
The Enlist® Weed Control System
Enlist® cotton offers cottonseed varieties that are tolerant to 2,4-D choline (found in Enlist One® and Enlist Duo® herbicides), glyphosate and glufosinate as well as varieties that are tolerant to 2,4-D choline and glufosinate. This gives farmers the flexibility to choose the seed and herbicides that best fit their weed spectrums and operations.
To get full value from the Enlist weed control system in cotton, farmers need to understand what other crops are in the area and know the prevailing wind direction. This helps them place Enlist cotton on acres where they can make successful applications of Enlist herbicide according to the label. Farmers who plant Enlist cotton and follow the label when applying Enlist herbicides obtain excellent weed control while avoiding drift issues. It’s important to note Enlist One and Enlist Duo are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use on Enlist cotton.
“It’s best to use the Enlist technology in areas that are conducive for on-target application,” says Ben Benton, Enlist field specialist, Corteva Agriscience. “Don’t get yourself in a bind by planting these varieties on acres where you know it may be tough to apply the herbicide according to the label – avoid placement in the middle of surrounding adjacent susceptible cotton that does not contain the Enlist trait.”
Map It Out
Benton suggests growers map out fields where they can make the best use of the Enlist weed control system. This may include planting a nonsusceptible crop – such as soybeans, sorghum, rice, peanuts or corn – downwind of Enlist cotton.
“Plant Enlist crops in fields where you have windows of opportunity to apply Enlist herbicides,” Benton says. “Monitor conditions and spray on days when the weather is cooperating and the herbicides will not drift when you follow the label requirements.”
Whenever possible, growers should avoid planting susceptible crops downwind of Enlist cotton. But if you find yourself in that position later in the season, fully utilize the other herbicide tolerances in Enlist cotton.
“If you’re surrounded by susceptible crops — or the prevailing wind blows toward them — it will be difficult to find weather conditions that allow you to use Enlist herbicides,” he says. “If that’s the case, you can still use glufosinate and glyphosate for effective weed control on those acres.”
When selecting cottonseed with the best genetics, right maturity and needed agronomic traits, consider the value of herbicide traits that support multiple modes of action. Learn more about how you can reap these benefits with Enlist® cotton in 2024 by visiting Enlist.com.
™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies L.L.C. Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use with Enlist crops. Consult Enlist herbicide labels for weed species controlled. Always read and follow label directions. © 2023 Corteva.