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Triple-threat active ingredient combination helps growers keep fields clean through canopy
Novel Kyro® herbicide harnesses the power of encapsulated acetochlor, clopyralid and topramezone to control weeds postemergence and help growers keep their fields clean longer through canopy. Kyro herbicide is the first corn herbicide to combine these three proven modes of action to help control a wide range of troublesome weeds, including glyphosate- and ALS-resistant weeds when used as directed.
Scott Pringnitz, technical field agronomist, Corteva Agriscience, spends most of his time serving crop protection territory managers and retailers in Ohio and Michigan. He’s been in the industry for almost 40 years.
Pringnitz has seen the proof of a powerful postemergence corn herbicide in the field, particularly in a two-pass program that starts with Resicore® REV herbicide for preemergence and residual control of tough broadleaf and grass weeds.
“We see Kyro primarily as the foundational program targeting specifically heavy waterhemp pressure,” Pringnitz said. “Kyro brings extra value for controlling target weeds in a postemergence application, with multiple modes of action and very good residual activity, which prevents weed germination and helps keep fields clean through canopy.”
Inhibiting weed seedlings
Acetochlor is a Group 15 herbicide that controls weeds by inhibiting growth of seedling shoots. Commonly referred to as long-chain fatty acid inhibitors, herbicides in this group provide residual control of weeds but will not control weeds that have already emerged. This group is typically very effective at providing residual control of small-seeded broadleaves, such as waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, as well as grasses.
“Acetochlor is a great mode of action to have in the mix because of the residual grass control and small-seeded broadleaf control,” Pringnitz said. “It's nice to come back in postemergence to not only work on the emerged weeds but then extend the residual coverage deep into the growing season.”
The proprietary encapsulated acetochlor in Kyro herbicide enables the solution to drive to the soil, creating a residual barrier from weeds. Encapsulated acetochlor is gentle on growing corn.
“Crop safety is extremely important to growers and Kyro ensures minimal crop response with the encapsulated acetochlor,” Pringnitz said.
Disrupting weed growth
Clopyralid is a Group 4 herbicide, which works by mimicking auxin hormones in the plant, resulting in the disruption of plant growth. The results are often noticeable as twisting, cupping, curling and strapping of plant tissue.
Group 4 herbicides are commonly referred to as synthetic auxins or growth regulators. Clopyralid primarily provides control on troublesome emerged weeds but also adds some residual protection as well.
“Clopyralid is very helpful in controlling giant ragweed, cocklebur and common ragweed postemergence, plus it adds residual protection,” Pringnitz said.
Obstructing emerged weeds
Topramezone is a Group 27 herbicide. These herbicides are commonly known as HPPD inhibitors or the bleacher herbicides. Active ingredients in this mode of action obstruct key enzymes essential for pigment synthesis, which results in the bleaching or whitening of leaves. Group 27 herbicides provide control of weeds that have emerged and can provide residual activity on driver weed species, such as waterhemp and Palmer amaranth.
“In a two-pass herbicide program, Kyro is excellent [KM1] for controlling tough broadleaf challenges like waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, giant ragweed and morningglory that are difficult to control in one preemergence application,” Pringnitz said. “The uniqueness of Kyro is that it includes topramezone in the three-way mix. What that brings is activity on smaller grasses in non-GMO situations or it works well with glyphosate-tolerant corn.”
Added benefits
Kyro® herbicide is compatible with a wide array of tank-mix partners, including atrazine, glyphosate, fungicides, insecticides and micronutrients, allowing growers to fully customize their applications.
“You can use this product on up to 24-inch-tall corn, so not only is it good from a crop safety aspect, but it also offers great application flexibility,” Pringnitz said. “There are a lot of times weather will cause growers to make applications in the latter part of that application window. The application flexibility is a great feature for growers.”
With this distinctive combination of active ingredients, tank-mix compatibility and application flexibility, Kyro herbicide is a triple threat to weeds in a two-pass weed control program.
“This active ingredient blend is not found anywhere else in the market,” Pringnitz said. “The combination in Kyro does a great job covering the full spectrum of weeds postapplication and adds residual coverage well into the season.”
To learn more about Kyro herbicide, visit https://www.corteva.com/us/products-and-solutions/crop-protection/kyro.html.
Kyro® is not registered for sale or use in all states. Kyro is not available for sale, distribution or use in Nassau and Suffolk counties in the state of New York. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.
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