Zero tolerance to weeds saves time and inputs in the long run

When budgets are tight, farmers may be tempted to cut back on herbicide programs next season. But agronomists warn that cutting back on tank-mixes could lead to more-expensive weed problems in the future. 

A better strategy is to take a zero-tolerance approach to resistant weeds that minimizes resprays and keeps herbicide technologies viable for future use. Joe Bolte, market development specialist with Corteva Agriscience, said the most effective herbicide program layers multiple modes of action with residual control to knock out weeds early and stay ahead for the season. 

“Because of farm economics, growers are looking for places where they can cut inputs and save costs. They may be tempted to use a single herbicide for the post application,” Bolte said. “But we need to think about the implications of that decision. A single chemistry increases your chances of respray after seven to 10 days. That’s why we recommend a tank mix of Enlist One and glufosinate on Enlist E3 soybeans, because they are better together.”

Bolte said it’s important to think about the true cost of a respray. Obvious costs include additional fuel and herbicide, but there’s also an opportunity cost – valuable time lost during a busy time of the season. 

A soft early season approach also could lead to late-season weed issues when resprays are not allowed due to crop growth stage restrictions. For soybeans, glufosinate can be applied up to R1 growth stage, and Enlist One^® herbicide through R1. Better weed control on the first application helps farmers avoid cases when they could run out of time to clean up troublesome weeds such as Palmer amaranth.

Farmers should also consider long-term costs of weed resistance. When weeds develop resistance to a herbicide, it requires new chemistries and additional applications for control — potentially increasing crop protection costs. A powerful tank mix with two modes of action helps slow the development of resistance to any one herbicide.

“When growers lead with a tank mix of Enlist One plus glufosinate, they put their best foot forward on the first application to help avoid or reduce situations in which they don’t have any effective labeled options left for Palmer and waterhemp,” Bolte said. “We don’t want to start the season behind and then have to clean up a trainwreck that could have been potentially avoided.”

A trial conducted during the 2025 season in Columbia, Missouri, compared a tank mix of Enlist One herbicide + glufosinate + clethodim against several other application protocols. Thirteen days after treatment, the Enlist One herbicide + glufosinate + clethodim tank mix showed excellent control compared to the other treatments. Seventeen days after treatment, the same tank mix of Enlist One herbicide + glufosinate + clethodim showed a significant reduction of weeds (see below photos). 

Bolte said the tank mix of Enlist One herbicide + glufosinate + clethodim offers several benefits that help reduce weed populations and the potential for resprays: 

• Two modes of action control weeds better on the first pass.
• The one-two punch of a fast-acting contact herbicide, combined with systemic chemistry that translocates throughout the weed, provides multiple sites of action for better control.
• Using multiple herbicide classes helps prevent weed resistance and protects valuable tools for future seasons. 

“As growers prepare for the 2026 season, we understand they want to trim costs, but it’s important to think beyond a single application and consider what the true costs are,” Bolte said. “We need to consider the cost of a respray, and we need to think about it from a resistance management standpoint. Plus, uncontrolled weeds can lower yield potential. From a holistic perspective, there is a lot of value in a tank mix of Enlist One and glufosinate.”

The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3^® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies L.L.C. Following burndown, Enlist Duo^® and Enlist One^® herbicides with Colex-D^® technology are the only herbicides containing 2,4-D that are authorized for preemergence and postemergence use with Enlist^® crops. Consult Enlist^® herbicide labels for weed species controlled. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are not registered for use or sale in all states and counties; are not registered in AK, CA, CT, HI, ID, MA, ME, MT, NH, NV, OR, RI, UT, VT, WA and WY; and have additional subcounty restrictions in AL, GA, TN and TX, while existing county restrictions still remain in FL. All users must check “Bulletins Live! Two” no earlier than six months before using Enlist One or Enlist Duo. To obtain “Bulletins,” consult epa.gov/espp/, call 1-844-447-3813, or email ESPP@epa.gov. You must use the “Bulletin” valid for the month and state and county in which Enlist One or Enlist Duo are being applied. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency if you have questions about the registration status of Enlist^® herbicides in your area. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO USE ANY PESTICIDE PRODUCT OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS LABELING. ONLY USE FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE OF APPLICATION. USE OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, 2,4-D-CONTAINING PRODUCTS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE WITH ENLIST CROPS, MAY RESULT IN OFF-TARGET DAMAGE TO SENSITIVE CROPS/AREAS AND/OR SUSCEPTIBLE PLANTS, IN ADDITION TO CIVIL AND/OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES. Additional product-specific stewardship requirements for Enlist crops, including the Enlist Product Use Guide, can be found at www.traitstewardship.com. Enversa^™ is not registered for sale or use in all states. Enversa 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.