LARRY STECKEL AND HAYDEN LOVE
JACKSON, TENNESSEE
There was a significant emergence of ryegrass during the middle of March in many fields (Picture 1). This coupled with all the early planting has led to fields infested with ryegrass along with emerged corn or soybean.
There are no sure-fire options to control emerged ryegrass in corn. In past years, some have tried Steadfast or Accent with varying degrees of success. Typically, in the areas of the state where more wheat is grown and ALS-inhibiting herbicides were widely used, little control can be seen with those herbicides. In areas where wheat has not been grown extensively, more consistent control can usually be achieved with the ALS chemistries. Most often, the herbicide with the best chance for control is Liberty. Unfortunately, Liberty needs to be applied on a hot, humid day for optimum control and in April those days are often few and far between. The other problem is that some corn hybrids planted today are not Liberty Link.
In soybean, normally glyphosate and clethodim would be the go-to answer but the ryegrass in some of these fields is resistant to both those herbicides (Picture 2). Much like with corn, we are searching for answers. One question asked recently was could Command, since it has a POST soybean label, be applied now and provide some control? I have not looked at this so I am just speculating but think it could provide at least some suppression and, with some water, might provide control on newly emerged ryegrass. I do not think Command would control well-established ryegrass.
In many fields where ryegrass and the crop are emerged, there will be no option but let the weed compete with the crop. Ryegrass starts senescence (gradual deterioration as it goes to seed) in late May and goes to seed in early June.
Historically, with most crop being planted in May and June the length of ryegrass competition with a crop is measured in a few weeks. However, with the early planted crop the length of competition can now be measured in months. This points to trying to keep ryegrass from ever emerging with fall-applied residuals as likely the last best method to control ryegrass going forward. ∆
(Picture 1) March ryegrass emergence
(Picture 2) 14 DAA 16 oz of a 2 lb Clethodim
LARRY STECKEL AND HAYDEN LOVE
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Link to Original Article: https://news.utcrops.com/2026/04/ryegrass-management-in-emerged-corn-and-soybean/
The post Ryegrass Management In Emerged Corn And Soybean appeared first on Soybean South.
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