Benchmark Study: III. Survey on Changing Herbicide Use Patterns in Glyphosate-Resistant Cropping Systems

Prince Czarnecki, J. M., Shaw, D. R., Givens, W. A., Newman, M. E., Owen, M. D., Weller, S. C., Young, B. G., Wilson, R. G., & Jordan, D. L. (2012). Benchmark Study: III. Survey on Changing Herbicide Use Patterns in Glyphosate-Resistant Cropping Systems. Weed Technology. 26, 536-542.

Approximately 1,300 growers from 22 states were surveyed during 2010 to determine herbicide use. Cropping systems included continuous glyphosate-resistant corn, cotton, and soybean, and various combinations of these crops and rotations with non–glyphosate-resistant crops. The most commonly used herbicide for both fall and spring applications was glyphosate followed by synthetic auxin herbicides. Herbicide application in spring was favored over application in the fall. The percentage of growers in a glyphosate-only system was as high as 69% for some cropping systems. Excluding glyphosate, the most frequently used herbicides included photosystem II, mitotic, and protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors. A higher percentage of growers integrated herbicides other than glyphosate during 2010 compared with 2005. Extensive educational efforts have promoted resistance management by increasing the diversity of herbicides in glyphosate-resistant cropping systems. However, a considerable percentage of growers continued use of only glyphosate from the period of 2005 to 2010, and this practice most likely will continue to exert a high level of selection for evolved glyphosate-resistant weed species.