With winter wheat stands in some areas being less competitive with weeds this year (Figures 1 and 2), fields not treated with herbicides during the growing season now have substantial weeds that will need to be managed. Let’s first review growing conditions for this year’s winter wheat because that affected how competitive the crop was with weeds.

Favorable weather in the Nebraska Panhandle in the fall helped growers to seed wheat into good moisture in a timely manner. As wheat entered winter, the wheat was well established, having put on a number of tillers.

Most winter wheat in southwest and west central Nebraska was rated in fair to good condition during the growing season. A good number of acres were seeded late due to rains during the suggested seeding dates. Many of the fields that were seeded late have thinner stands.

Wet conditions in eastern Nebraska from late September through mid-October delayed the start of wheat planting for many. Late planting coupled with record cold temperatures in April led to a less developed wheat crop compared to normal.

Timely control of weeds after winter wheat harvest can limit soil moisture loss to weeds and prevent the deposit of more weed seeds in the soil, two factors that can benefit the next crop's yield. In addition, timely control of volunteer wheat is essential in reducing the spread of wheat streak mosaic disease.

The timing of control of volunteer wheat can also be affected by temperatures during grain fill and the length of dormancy. Dormancy can be reduced by higher temperatures during the later stages of the grain fill period. Normally, the grain-fill period is 25 days or less, but it can exceed 35 days under good environmental conditions. Any temperature over 85° can reduce wheat yield potential. Therefore, if higher temperatures occur during the later stages of grain fill, the dormancy period will be shortened and control of volunteer may be needed sooner than normal after harvest.

Timing

As with all weed control, it's essential that you closely watch for weed developments and spray at the proper time noted on the label to achieve maximum control. Most labels state that weeds must be treated before they are 6 inches tall. If weeds are under severe drought stress, wait for rain and spray about a week later.

Controlling weeds in the growing wheat offers the best chance of reducing weed population and vigor after harvest.

Split Treatments

Split treatments have a good history of effectiveness.

In Kansas, research has shown a 20 bu/ac increase in corn yields the next year for treatments applied in July versus mid-August. When using a split treatment, apply the glyphosate products with companion herbicides (adding surfactant, if needed, plus ammonium sulfate) as the first application in July or early August. Some glyphosate products include sufficient surfactant while many products require more. Be sure to check the product label.

For all glyphosate brands, add ammonium sulfate (spray grade) at 17 lb per 100 gallons of spray solution. (The ammonium sulfate is the first item put into the spray tank after the water.) Ammonium sulfate is especially helpful when stress conditions are present. Liquid ammonium sulfate, with or without a drift retardant, also is available. It's difficult to recognize weed stress so it's wise to always add ammonium sulfate.

Improve control by increasing the rate of glyphosate. Do not exceed the label use rates. Allow at least six hours — and longer with some weeds — for the glyphosate product to become rainfast. Barnyardgrass may require 24 hours without rain for maximum control. With glyphosates, use a spray volume of 5 to 10 gallons per acre and don't apply when temperatures reach or exceed 90°F.

Producers should control weeds in wheat stubble fields by applying the full label rate of glyphosate with the additional herbicides. Be careful in selecting herbicides used near susceptible crops or other sensitive vegetation. Other herbicides may be added to glyphosate. Sharpen may help with control of pigweeds and provide some residual control. Sharpen works best with the addition of methylated seed oil and can provide some pretty good burndown on smaller weeds. However, if the weeds are very big, it tends to burn the tops and plants eventually resume growth. Sharpen requires complete coverage so using 15 to 20 gallons/acre spray solution is important.

One herbicide alternative to glyphosate that can work well to control emerged pigweed and kochia is paraquat. Paraquat is a contact herbicide, so spray coverage is critical. Spray volumes of 20 gallons/acre or higher are preferred, especially on larger and thicker weeds. Paraquat also needs to be applied with a nonioinic surfactant or oil concentrate to enhance surface coverage of the plant foliage. A tank mix with atrazine will enhance control and provide some residual weed control if planning to plant corn or sorghum next spring. Likewise, metribuzin can be tank-mixed with paraquat if rotating to soybean to enhance control and provide some residual. If planting wheat this fall, a tank mix with Sharpen is an option to provide some residual control. Recent work suggests that applying paraquat as soon as possible following wheat harvest allows for better coverage and more effective control, especially of pigweeds.

Another herbicide that can be added to the burndown treatments for residual broadleaf weed control in wheat stubble is flumioxazin (Valor and others). Flumioxazin has been used as a preplant/preemergence treatment in soybeans for years, but it hasn’t been used much in wheat stubble because of the cost. However, with the recent reduction in flumioxzin prices, it may be cost effective. Control with flumioxazin will depend on rainfall for activation, just as with the preplant treatment in soybeans.

Tank mixes with glyphosate will help control weeds that are difficult to control with glyphosate alone and will help reduce the chances of developing glyphosate-tolerant weed populations. Always check labels and rotation restrictions.

If temperatures are above 80°F, use the amine formulation of 2,4-D. Do not use 2,4-D or dicamba if sensitive crops or other vegetation may be affected. For additional information, treatments, and rates go to the Ecofarming Section of the 2018 Guide for Weed Management, EC130. (For sale at http://marketplace.unl.edu/extension/extpubs/ec130.html.)

The second part of the split treatment should be applied in September. It should contain at least 0.5 lb per acre of atrazine and possibly Gramoxone Inteon (add surfactant), depending on the amount and size of volunteer winter wheat, downy brome, jointed goatgrass, or other weeds present.

Effective Cultural Practices to Aid Weed Control

Many options besides increasing herbicide rates are available for weed control after wheat harvest. Vigorous winter wheat stands will compete better with weeds. To achieve maximum control:

• Prepare a good firm seedbed.
• Control weeds in a timely manner.
• Fertilize if needed.
• Seed properly.
• Plant at the optimum time.
• Select a competitive winter hardy winter wheat variety.

Figure 3 shows how crop residue levels affect weeds and their control.

Weed Challenges

Several options are available for using nonselective herbicides with difficult-to-control weeds. With Gramoxone Inteon, use a minimum of 2 pints of X 77, or equivalent surfactant, per 100 gallons of solution. Use 2 quarts of X 77 per 100 gallons of spray solution if using less than 20 gallons of carrier. The active ingredient varies among products so check labels and adjust rates accordingly.

The atrazine rate varies with soil and rainfall patterns. In southwest Nebraska, use 2 quarts of atrazine per acre unless the soil or the following crop limits the rate to a lower amount. In the Panhandle the maximum allowed in one season is often 0.5 quart per acre.

• Volunteer Wheat and Grasses. The advantage of split treatments is that they provide excellent control of volunteer winter wheat and other winter annual grasses. Using one quart or less of atrazine before September 10 allows winter wheat to be planted 12 months later in most areas and in most soils. If sufficient soil water is available the following spring, corn could be planted or if moisture is limited, the field could be fallowed and winter wheat could be planted in the fall.
• Downy Brome. If downy brome is a problem and a winter wheat fallow rotation is being used, tillage is usually recommended immediately after harvest to plant the seeds and ensure maximum weed germination during the fallow period. Do not till if only a limited amount of crop residue is present after harvest since tillage will make the soil susceptible to wind and water erosion. Herbicides are available to control downy brome in the growing winter wheat and are best applied early. If jointed goatgrass and/or feral rye is a problem, use a rotation where wheat is not planted for at least three years under good moisture conditions and even longer under dry conditions.
• Jointed Goatgrass and Feral Rye. Herbicide-tolerant winter wheat varieties are available for fields with jointed goatgrass or feral rye problems. Beyond™ herbicide is then applied in the growing wheat. (Grower training is required before this herbicide can be purchased.) Check the label for additional information.