The relationship between weeds and yields is a clear one. Aaron Kromann, an agronomy service representative for Syngenta, says achieving early-season control is important for managing yield-robbing weeds in soybean fields.

“As the soybean comes out of the ground, there are many stresses that are placed on the crop. These can be environmental: too hot, too cold, too wet, or too dry. There could be early-season diseases and insects, then additionally, the stresses that the weeds place on soybeans. Weeds pull nutrients and they pull water and then they compete for sunlight. Every one of these little stresses or the resources that are robbed from the soybean pulls away from the yield potential of the soybean crop. Our goal is to make sure we get ahead of these early-season weeds, apply effective rates of herbicides with residuals, and try to control the weeds as they germinate rather than post-emerge when they’re up and out of the ground.”

Growers can face challenges when tackling broadleaf weeds and annual grasses in the early growth stages.

“Any weed that has emerged out of the ground is very difficult to control. Our options on the chemistry portfolio are reduced. We need to look at weather conditions and tank-mix partners, and we need to look at application best practices to make sure that we get effective weed control. As that weed gets bigger and bigger and bigger, our effectiveness goes less and less and less, and so what we need to do is apply pre-emerge herbicide early. The other big challenge that growers face is there’s a wide spectrum or a wide timeline for weed emergence. Where you go from planting time through a majority of the growing season, these big problem weeds are gonna be Waterhemp and Palmer Amaranth for our late season weeds. And so, we need to get ahead of these early and lay down effective herbicides to control them season-long and not ever get behind the eight ball where we’re trying to control weeds that are emerged.”

Kromann talks about his recommended herbicide to control weeds and boost yield potential.

“First and foremost, let’s make sure we’re identifying the weeds that we need to target and know which ones we have in our field, and a really good option from our portfolio is going to be Tendovo Soybean Herbicide. It contains three active ingredients, including S-metolachlor, Metribuzin, and Cloransulam. With those three combined, we have good activity on large-seeded broad leaves, small-seeded broad leaves, and grasses, so we’re going to be able to target our problem weeds of Waterhemp, Palmer Amaranth, giant ragweed, common ragweed, velvetleaf, and then many of the grass species as well. With this broad-spectrum herbicide, we’re able to get a solid footing for long-season weed control and also allow us to get better prepared and set up for a post-emerge herbicide application.”

Talk to your local Syngenta retailer or sales rep to learn more or visit SyngentaUS.com/Tendovo.