5/23/2024 - By JJ Jansen

The same weed problems pop up year after year, leading to some of the same struggles time and time again. For example, weeds pose a tough challenge for turf professionals across the country which leads to applications of herbicides to prevent and control. However, repeat applications of the same products in the same order can lead to another problem: herbicide resistance. Read on to see how to prevent herbicide resistance and promote control.

Rotation not Repetition for Herbicide Resistance

Becoming attached to certain chemistries is easy. Once you find one that works well for you it’s hard to switch to another that will work for the same issues. That being said, there are a lot of factors to consider during products selection to combat the various challenges of different weeds. Some products will work at one time, but you might see that they are not working as well now, as we can see in various trials conducted by the best experts in the industry at various universities. Over prolonged use, certain weeds build up a specific resistance to some of your favorite chemistries. This does not mean you have to stop using them, but it may be time to rotate in other products to offset this resistance.

Rotation Avoids Herbicide Resistance

Getting ahead of resistance may be simpler than you think with a few different options that have been scientifically evaluated and proven to be effective.

Option 1 is rotating out your current-use product for another that combats the same weeds. Although there are not many new herbicides being released every year, there are still great options from some of the best manufacturers that can combat weeds that are developing resistance.

Option 2 is to continue using the product that you currently apply, but to bolster it by adding in other products that can be tank mixed and switching up your application rates/times. Though you may need to spend more per acre with this method, tank mixing different products has proven to be effective in the fight against resistance, and the results speak for themselves with a property free of weeds.

Your Harrell’s Rep is the Best Place to Get Started

There’s no better time than now to start thinking about your program, what products you already use, and which products might need to be rotated. You can ask yourself questions like: Would you like to try options A or B for your products? What have you been using and how long have you been using it? Would a granular spread or a spray tank mix suit you better? These are all important things to think of moving forward, and your Harrell's Rep is here to help you figure those things out. Reach out today to get your plan in place, figure out a rotation, and kick resistance to the curb.