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WEED OF THE WEEK - JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
D: Every year, weed control programs are carefully scrutinized
for each field. Common weed problems are addressed and herbicides
are chosen that will be effective at eliminating as many weeds as
possible.
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B: Unfortunately, there always seems to be a plant like our weed
of the week that puts a wrench in the system. Today's feature weed
is Jerusalem Artichoke.
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D: Now before you blame the Middle East for this weed, I should
tell you that the name Jerusalem is derived from the Italian word,
girasole, meaning "sunflower." That's a good clue towards
identifying this weed, because it is from the sunflower family of
weeds.
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B: Not unlike a common sunflower plant, jerusalem artichokes are
erect plants that can grow up to 9 or 10 feet tall. They also have
yellow, daisy-like flowers, which aren't nearly as large as sunflower
heads typically can be. Its leaves are opposite on lower portions
of the plant, and they're alternate towards the top. Leaves are
an oval to lance shape with saw-toothed edges. They have a rough
upper surface with dense hairs on the underside. The stems of the
plant are also rough and hairy.
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D: Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial plant. It often begins from
the fleshy white tubers at the ends of its roots that give it its
name. In addition to tubers, artichokes can also reproduce from
rhizomes and seeds as well. Though, you more commonly find these
plants in undisturbed soils such as fence lines and wooded areas,
they can enter fields and cause some real headaches.
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B: This year, we heard more from Jerusalem artichokes than we have
in the past. As we adopt conservation tillage and no-till practices,
and as herbicide programs change, we often face unusual and tougher
weeds. The good thing is that there are several programs that you
can currently use to control common weed problems that also take
care of weeds like Jerusalem artichoke.
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D: In soybeans, our first recommendation for any field where perennial
weeds like Jerusalem artichoke are concerns is to plant Roundup
Ready soybeans. Use the highest labeled rates, often 2 quarts or
more per acre, to eliminate perennial weeds for good. Lower rates
of Roundup, or even some conventional herbicides can burn back the
topgrowth on these weeds, but that's not what we're looking for.
Cosmetic solutions don't get to the source of our yield loss in
these fields. The massive root systems of perennial weeds are what
devastate our crops. Eliminate them completely when you get a chance.
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B: If you would like to find a conventional herbicide that has some
topgrowth control, we do have a few solutions to offer as well.
Perhaps the best two are Raptor and Pursuit. Since these two products
are from the same chemical family, they offer similar results. Use
either one for early to mid-season suppression of Jerusalem artichoke.
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D: Other products with some activity include Classic, Flexstar,
Cobra, and UltraBlazer. All 4 of these can hold back our feature
weed, but once again, only Roundup in Roundup Ready soybeans can
offer control.
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B: In corn, the only soil applied product that has some suppression
of this tough weed is Balance. However, you WILL need a good post-emerge
application to stop Jerusalem artichoke from damaging your yields.
The best thing that we have seen has been Hornet. We have had good
luck with Hornet, and we like to tankmix a half pound of atrazine
with it for even a little more kick.
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D: High rates of Beacon or Northstar have shown some good suppression.
If those products are in your herbicide plans, they should get you
by for the season as well.
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B: With herbicide specific corns, Roundup Ready corn doesn't offer
much help Since you can only use a quart of Roundup per application,
you won't get root activity. Liberty on Liberty Link corn isn't
any better. If you really need a herbicide specific corn, Clearfield
corn would be the preferred choice here. Not only is there no tech
fee, and it's a NON-GMO, but Lightning does offer some pretty good
topgrowth control.
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D: No matter which herbicide program you choose, the real key to
your success next year will be proper identification of the weeds
in your fields. Once again, to identify our weed of the week, here's
what to look for.
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B: Jerusalem artichoke is from the sunflower family. It grows tall
like a sunflower plant, but the yellow flowers will not be nearly
as big.
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D: It has rough and hairy leaves and stems with saw toothed leaves.
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B: Use Pursuit or Raptor on soybeans if Roundup Ready beans aren't
an option . . .
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D: and on corn, the best post-emerge treatment is a Hornet plus
atrazine combo.
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