By Jim Steadman
For the first time, Southern growers planted PhytoGen cottonseed with the Enlist trait in on-farm research plots, and applied Enlist Duo herbicide in-crop. Other growers across the South put Enlist soybeans to the test on their farms.
Those growers are now sharing their experiences.
Enlist cotton and Enlist soybeans provide tolerance to Enlist Duo herbicide – a proprietary blend of 2,4-D and glyphosate – as well as full tolerance to glufosinate herbicides. Enlist Duo herbicide features Colex-D Technology, a package that provides near zero volatility and minimized potential for drift – important attributes for Southern growers who farm near specialty crops or other crops sensitive to 2,4-D.
The combination of formulation improvements in Enlist Duo, when used with recommended nozzles, has been shown to provide up to 90 percent reduction in physical drift compared to traditional 2,4-D. Enlist Duo herbicide will be the only 2,4-D-containing herbicide labeled for in-crop use with Enlist soybeans and, pending regulatory approval, with Enlist cotton.
Growers participating in the on-farm research plots confirmed the reductions in off-target movement potential. “It takes away the fear,” says Jon Whatley, Texas grower and cotton research plot participant. “It stayed where we applied it. I’m comfortable with it and want the guy farming next to me to be comfortable with it and know he’s not going to see damage.”
Other growers reported similar experiences to Whatley’s. The Enlist cotton research plot managed by Mississippi grower Trey Koger is near a tomato farm. Before applying Enlist Duo, he double-checked wind speed and direction.
“With sensitive crops, a mile and a half is really not that far when it comes to drift,” Koger says. “[With Enlist Duo,] I had no issues at all with drift or volatility.”
The near-zero volatility stood out to Arkansas grower William Lane during his experience with Enlist soybeans. “It’s definitely not volatile like traditional 2,4-D,” Lane says. “After we sprayed Enlist Duo, we saw no volatility or movement to any other crop in the nearby area.”
The advanced herbicide also provides low odor and improved handling characteristics.
The participating growers utilize various cultural practices on their farms, including crop rotation practices, tillage programs and irrigation systems. They have also been contending with a wide spectrum of resistant and tough weeds such as Palmer amaranth, marestail, giant ragweed and others, often for several years.
Lane, who farms in southern Arkansas next to the Mississippi River, is interested in the Enlist system as an option to control glyphosate-resistant weeds.
“Enlist Duo did a great job of controlling the weeds,” Lane says. “It was devastating to the weeds, and we saw no adverse effects on the beans whatsoever.”
The ability to apply a herbicide containing 2,4-D in-season also gives cotton growers a new mindset.
“I never thought I would see the day that you’d be able to spray 2,4-D over cotton,” Koger says. “The crop tolerance was excellent and comparable with other herbicide programs we’ve used.”
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