Corn growers battling tough-to-control, small-seeded broadleaf weeds and grasses will have a new tool. BASF Crop Protection recently announced the federal registration of Zidua herbicide. Future registrations for use in soybean and wheat are anticipated in early 2013.
According to 10 years of research and field trials, the residual weed control provided by Zidua lasts up to two weeks longer than other herbicides currently on the market – which helps protect growers' yield potential.
Nine states in the South have already reported resistant Palmer amaranth, and herbicide options for control have become increasingly limited. Meanwhile, glyphosate-resistant waterhemp is continuing to spread across the country. Of the 10 states that have now confirmed glyphosate-resistant waterhemp, three have waterhemp populations with resistance to multiple sites of action.
Zidua Herbicide Feceives Fed Registration
"With Zidua, growers have an additional site of action that provides outstanding residual control of small seeded broadleaves and grasses resistant to ALS-inhibitors, glyphosate, ACCase and triazines," said Bryan Perry, Zidua Marketing Manager, BASF. "Along with innovations like Kixor herbicide technology, Zidua helps meet the grower's need for new herbicides with different sites of action to manage weed resistance and better protect their fields."
As the only solo pyroxasulfone product on the market, Zidua affords a wide application window from fall through early preplant to early post-emergence. This provides adaptability to a wide range of weed control needs and allows for precise placement for the most effective weed control.
Zidua can also be applied with a range of use rates, allowing growers to select the best rate for their specific needs, based on soil textures in their fields.
"Some Zidua use rates are as much as 10 times lower than those of other residual herbicides," Perry said. "That can make a big difference to growers seeking to improve operational efficiencies."
Zidua is currently labeled only for use in corn. Future label expansions are being developed for use in cotton, soybeans and wheat, and being evaluated for uses in sunflowers, peanuts and other crops.