POST-EMERGENT WILD OAT HERBICIDE CHOICES IN WHEAT

Post-emergence herbicide choices for wild oat control in wheat include Achieve, Assert, Avenge, Cheyenne, Hoelon, Puma, and Tiller. The following is a listing of herbicide application rates and timing for wild oat and wheat, approximate costs, and additional weeds controlled.

*Achieve:

Application rate = 40 acres/box. Wild oat stage = 1- to 6-leaf stage. Wheat stage = 2-leaf to boot. Cost = $17/acre. Also controls foxtail.

*Assert:

Application rate = 1 to 1.5 pt/acre or 7.5 to 11.2 oz DG. Wild oat stage = 1- to 4-leaf. Wheat stage = 2-leaf to jointing. Cost = $13-18/acre. Also controls wild mustard.

*Avenge:

Application rate = 2.5 to 4 pt/acre. Wild oat stage = 3- to 5-leaf. Wheat stage = prior to flag leaf emergence. Cost = $12-19/acre.

*Cheyenne:

Application rate = 40 acres/box. Wild oat stage = 1- to 4-leaf. Wheat stage (HRS or winter wheat only) = 3-leaf to end of tillering (6-leaf). Cost = $17/acre. Also controls green foxtail and barnyardgrass, and numerous annual broadleaf weeds.

*Hoelon:

Application rate = 2 to 2.66 pt/acre. Wild oat stage = 2-leaf to 2-tiller. Wheat stage = up to 4-leaf. Cost = $16-22/acre. Also controls green and yellow foxtail.

* Puma:

Application rate = 0.66 pt/acre. Wild oat stage = 1- to 4-leaf. Wheat stage = 2-leaf to 6-leaf. Cost = $17/acre. Also controls green and yellow foxtail, barnyardgrass, and volunteer corn.

*Tiller:

Application rate = 1.7 pt/acre. Wild oat stage = 2-leaf to 2-tiller. Wheat stage (HRS or winter wheat only) = 3- to 4-leaf up to 6-leaf. Cost = $17/acre. Also controls green and yellow foxtail, barnyardgrass, and several annual broadleaf weeds.

Refer to herbicide labels and NDSU Extension Service circular W-253 "2000 North Dakota Weed Control Guide" for required information on use and other details including tank mixtures.

LEGUME SEED FUNGICIDE + INOCULANT COMPATIBILITY

Is fungicide-treated grain legume seed compatible with Rhizobium inoculants? The compatibility of these two products depends on the pesticide, the formulation of the pesticide, the carrier of the inoculant and the time period the two products are combined on the seed. If a liquid fungicide is applied to the seed, allow it to dry prior to applying the inoculant. Keep the time that the products are in combination to a minimum prior to planting (preferably less than four hours). In-furrow inoculant applications may be better than applications to treated seed. Two web sites listing compatibilities of inoculants and other seed treatments can be found at: www.liphatech.com and www.urbana-labs.com.

(source: Minnesota Crop News - www.extension.umn.edu/newsletters/cropnews/9906-383.html)

SOYBEAN PLANTING DATE

Soybean planting generally should not be prior to five days before the average last killing frost. This provides less than a 50 percent chance of frost killing the soybean. The following are long-term average dates of last spring frost at 28 degrees for selected south-east and south-central ND locations: May 5 = Jamestown and Oakes, May 8 = Fessenden, May 10 = Lisbon, May 11 = Cooperstown, Edgeley and McClusky, May 13 = Pettibone, and May 14 = Napoleon.

Planting dates between May 10 and 25 appear to be favorable for higher yields with a reduced risk of frost injury. Plant as early as the frost date permits so soybean can take full advantage of the entire growing season and produce maximum yields. Earlier seeding allows the use of full-season varieties which typically yield more than short-season varieties.

Also, keep soybean planting depth to less than 2 inches with an optimum at 1- to 1.5 inches deep.