Weed Control

Weeds are a Vital Factor

Weed control continues to be a vital factor in growing a sugarbeet crop.  Weeds present in the crop decrease productivity of sugarbeets, reduce profit to the grower and create problems in harvest, storage and processing.

Sugarbeet weed control begins by keeping all fields in crop rotation as weed free as possible. Weeds compete with sugarbeets for sunlight, moisture and create the need for costly hand labor.  

Soil moisture, precipitation, soil type, crop stress and weather conditions contribute to herbicide performance. Best steps for weed control in sugarbeets include:

• Control weeds in previous crops.
• Prepare a good seedbed.
• Select the best pre plant herbicide and incorporate at proper rate for specific soil conditions.
• Irrigate within 7 days of application, in the absence of sufficient precipitation, to activate herbicide.
• Use post emergence and lay-by herbicides in addition to mechanical tools, ahead of thinning and ditching, to control weeds that may have escaped pre-emergence herbicides.
• Calibrate liquid and granular application equipment.

Pre Plant

There are herbicides that provide good weed control when applied in the fall. Spring applications can also be made before or with planting depending on the herbicide used. Be sure to follow manufactures guidelines for applications and incorporation.

Post Plant

Application of post plant herbicides should begin as soon as weeds start to emerge. For best results, treatment should be done early while the weeds are still in the cotyledon state. Follow up applications are usually necessary at intervals of five to seven days to catch the next set of germinating weeds. Additional herbicides are available to control escape weeds, such as: cocklebur, sunflower, grass and Canadian thistle.

Lay-By

A lay-by herbicide should be applied post thin or at the 4-6 leaf stage. Incorporation can be adequately done with a rotary hoe, flex-line harrow or a northwest power harrow. These incorporation tools will also eliminate weak or diseased beets and mulch and aerate the soil.

Safety

A number of herbicides are available for sugarbeet weed control, but, non-registered chemicals are illegal and their use can render the crop unacceptable for processing.

Always read and follow instructions which the manufacturer has printed on the pesticide label. This will give you further information on how to  apply the chemical and on conditions which will affect your results. This can save you money and prevent crop damage. Use only pesticides registered for the existing problem.

Herbicides must always be used with great care and environmental awareness. All safety measures must be followed.