Written by: Kevin Owens

Edits by: Pierce Young

Managing weeds effectively is crucial for the success of food plots, as they compete with desired plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Selecting the appropriate herbicide depends on the specific weeds present and the crops you intend to plant. Listed below are some commonly used herbicides for food plots and what they specifically target. Remember to always read and follow the recommendations on the label before applying herbicides. 

Post-emergent Herbicides: 

A chemical applied to weeds once they have already emerged from the soil and are actively growing; it needs to contact the foliage of the plant to be effective.

Most common: 

  • Glyphosate (Roundup) - A non-selective herbicide effective against a wide range of weeds, grasses, broadleaf plants, and woody species. It is commonly used to clear vegetation before planting. It can also be applied to crops advertised as "Roundup Ready", such as many soybean or corn varieties. Normally applied at a rate of 1 quart per acre.
  • 2,4-D (Amine 4) - A selective herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds in food plots of grain species like corn, wheat, oats, rye, sorghum, and millets. It is effective against annual broadleaf weeds and are not suitable for plots containing legumes like clover or alfalfa. Normally applied at a rate of 1 quart per acre.
  • 2,4-DB (Butyrac) - A selective herbicide that targets broadleaf weeds without harming perennial legumes such as clover, alfalfa, trefoil, and jointvetch. It is effective against tough weeds like smartweed, thistles, pigweed, coffeeweed, and sicklepod. It is often used in combination with a surfactant to enhance effectiveness. Application rates range from 1-3 quarts per acre.
  • Clethodim (Select) - A selective herbicide used to control grasses in legumes such as clovers, cowpeas, or jointvetch, but can also be used in Chufa (a sedge) or Sunflowers. It is effective in controlling grass weeds without harming the legumes. It is often used in combination with a surfactant to enhance effectiveness. Application rates range from 12-16 ounces per acre.
  • Sethoxydim (Poast) - Another selective herbicide commonly used to control grasses in legumes, Chufa, or Sunflowers. Application rate is 2.5 pints per acre mixed with 2 pints of Crop Oil Concentrate.
  • Dicamba (Banvel) - A selective herbicide commonly used for broadleaf control in Chufa or Millet. Application rates range from 2-4 pints per acre.
  • Bentazon (Basagran) - A selective herbicide commonly used to control sedges in legumes (clover, jointvetch). Application rates range from 2-3 pints per acre. 

Others:

  • MCPA Ester (Weedone Ester) - A selective herbicide commonly used to control broadleaf weeds in cereal grains (wheat, oats, cereal rye). Application rates range from 4-12 oz per acre.
  • Fluazifop-P (Fusilade DX) - A selective herbicide commonly used to control annual ryegrass in cereal grains (wheat, oats, cereal rye) and some forage legumes (clover). Application rate is 8 oz per acre.
  • Pinoxaden (Axial) - A selective herbicide that is very effective in controlling annual ryegrass in cereal grains (wheat, oats, cereal rye) only. Application rates range from 3-4 oz per acre.
  • Propaquizafop (Sierra) - A selective herbicide that can be used to control annual ryegrass in cereal grains (wheat, oats, cereal rye) only. Application rates range from 3-6 oz per acre.
  • Clodinafop-propargyl (Topik) - A selective herbicide that can be used to control annual ryegrass in cereal grains (wheat, oats, cereal rye) only. Application rates range from 4-8 oz per acre.
  • Lactofen (Blazer) - A selective herbicide that can be used to control broadleaf weeds in soybeans only. Application rates range from 10-16 oz per acre.
  • Halosulfuron-methyl (Frontrow) - A selective herbicide commonly used to control sedges in legumes (clover, jointvetch). Application rates range from 0.75-1.5 oz per acre.
  • Carfentrazone-ethyl (Aim EC) - A selective herbicide commonly used to control broadleaf weeds in legumes (clover, jointvetch), brassicas (turnips, radishes), and cereal grains (wheat, oats, cereal rye). Application rates range from 0.75-1.5 oz per acre.
  • Chlorimuron-ethyl + metsulfuron-methyl (Finesse) - A selective herbicide commonly used to control broadleaf weeds (specifically thistles and pigweed) in legumes (clover, jointvetch). Application rates range from 0.2-0.5 oz per acre.

Pre-emergent Herbicides: 

A chemical applied to the soil after planting to prevent weed seeds from germinating. The chemical is incorporated into the soil by rainfall or irrigation. Typically applied in the early Spring or Fall. 

Most common:

  • Imazethapyr (Pursuit) - A pre-emerge herbicide commonly used in legumes (clover, joint-vetch, soybeans, cowpeas, lablab) for control of broadleaf weeds, grasses, and sedges for an average of 6 months. Application rate is 4 oz per acre. It can also be applied as a post-emergent herbicide.
  • S-metolachlor (Dual Magnum) - A pre-emerge herbicide commonly used in legumes (clover, joint-vetch) and Sunflowers for control of broadleaf weeds, grasses, and sedges for an average of 4 months. Application rate ranges from 0.5-1.5 pints per acre.
  • Imazamox (Raptor) - A pre-emerge herbicide commonly used in legumes (clover, joint-vetch) and Sunflowers for control of broadleaf weeds and some annual grasses for an average of 2-4 weeks. Application rate ranges from 4-6 oz per acre. It can also be applied as a post-emergent herbicide on young weeds. 

Others:

  • Atrazine (Aatrex) - A pre-emerge herbicide used in corn and Sorghum (milo), and sometimes wheat (not oats or cereal rye) for control of mainly broadleaf weeds, some annual grasses, and limited control of sedges (mainly yellow nutsedge, but not purple nutsedge). Application rate ranges from 1-2 quarts per acre. It can also be applied as a post-emergent herbicide on young weeds.
  • Pendimethalin (Prowl) - A pre-emerge herbicide commonly used in legumes (clover, soybeans, cowpeas, joint-vetch) and corn for control of annual grasses, some broadleaf weeds, (but not sedges) for an average of 1-3 months. Application rate ranges from 2-4 quarts per acre. It can also be applied as a post-emergent herbicide on young weeds.
  • Sulfentrazone (Spartan) - A pre-emerge herbicide commonly used in legumes (clover, soybeans - but not joint-vetch) and brassicas for control of a broadleaf weeds and sedges (but not grasses) for an average of 1-3 months. Application rate ranges from 4-8 oz per acre. It can also be applied as a post-emergent herbicide on young weeds.
  • Trifluralin (Treflan) - A pre-emerge herbicide commonly used in clover and cereal grains for control of annual grasses, and some broadleaf weeds for an average of 1-3 months. Application rate ranges from 1-2 pints per acre.
  • Clomazone (Hoelon) - A pre-emerge herbicide commonly used in corn for control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds for an average of 1-3 months. Application rate ranges from 1-2 pints per acre.

Surfactants:

Commonly mixed with herbicides to enhance their effectiveness. Surfactants assist the herbicide with improved spreading over the leaf surface, penetrating plant tissues, breaking the surface tension of water, increasing droplet size and ensuring the herbicide stays where it is intended to be applied.

Non-Ionic Surfactants (NIS) - Most commonly used; improves herbicide coverage and absorption on leaf surfaces
Crop Oil Concentrates (COC) - Contains emulsified petroleum oil; improves penetration, especially in waxy leaves
Methylated Seed Oil (MSO) - Similar to COC but more effective under dry/hard-to-penetrate conditions
Silicone-Based Surfactants - Very low surface tension; used in specialized applications for quick spreading
Ammonium Sulfate (AMS) - Used especially with glyphosate or ALS inhibitors to tie up hard water ions
Utility Modifiers / pH Buffers - Help adjust water pH or conditioning; often used with glyphosate or weak-acid herbicides

 

For more information on managing food plots visit: www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-management-info

For technical guidance and to schedule a site visit with one of our wildlife biologists visit:  www.mdwfp.com/privatelands