LibertyLink® GT27™ was the first commercially available soybean trait package with built-in tolerance to three unique sites of action: glyphosate, glufosinate and a new HPPD inhibitor/Group 27 herbicide for soybeans (pending approval). It’s well known throughout the industry that growers who plant this trait package will benefit from outstanding weed control and unparalleled flexibility in weed management options. But there are lesser-known advantages to planting LibertyLink GT27 soybeans.
Tank Mixing
LibertyLink GT27 soybeans provided growers with the first opportunity to spray both glyphosate and glufosinate in season. Following are some considerations:
- Follow timing and spraying recommendations closely. Glyphosate is a Group 9 herbicide and tends to work more slowly than glufosinate, with results after approximately 7–14 days. It is recommended to spray glyphosate with coarse to large-sized droplets in 5–10 gallons of water per acre. Glyphosate is a systemic, translocating herbicide that inhibits the EPSP synthase pathway and blocks essential amino acids that are necessary for the photosynthetic processes of the plant. Glufosinate, on the other hand, is a Group 10 herbicide that tends to work very quickly, with visible results usually within 24–72 hours. It is recommended to spray glufosinate with medium to coarse-sized droplets in 15–20 gallons of water per acre. It is a contact, semi-translocating herbicide that inhibits glutamine synthetase. Glufosinate inhibits a plant’s ability to utilize nitrogen and causes ammonia within the plant to become toxic to the plant.
- Use these products in a sequential-combined application. Glyphosate can be used in burndown combinations with other effective modes of action and residual herbicides. For post-emergent applications, combine glyphosate and glufosinate with additional effective modes of action and residual herbicides. This provides the best chance of overcoming nature’s ability to adapt and combat herbicide resistance.
- For optimum weed control and long-term effectiveness of the trait system, it is recommended to utilize three effective site-of-action herbicides per application with one of those being a soil-applied residual herbicide.
*Note: Growers should always read and follow all herbicide label directions and adhere to both federal and state regulations for applications. For other recommendations and questions about usage, please contact your local Stine sales agronomist or consult your local university extension office.
Potential HPPDi/Group 27 Carryover Protection
HPPDi/Group 27 chemistries are known for their outstanding residual control, which is why HPPDi herbicides have become a staple for U.S. corn growers. In fact, it’s estimated that as many as half of U.S. corn acres each year have some sort of HPPDi-based chemistries applied to them.*
While the active ingredients in HPPDi herbicides provide outstanding residual control, how long they remain active into the next growing season depends on several variables. And when crop rotation comes into play, this carryover can be concerning to soybean growers because regular soybeans are very susceptible to even a trace amount of residual HPPDi/Group 27 chemistries.
Luckily, Stine’s lineup of GT27 and LibertyLink GT27 soybeans include built-in tolerance to HPPDi/Group 27-based herbicides, meaning that soybean growers have an additional measure of protection against potential HPPDi-Group 27 carryover when they plant these varieties.
Stine is offering a full lineup of LibertyLink GT27 soybeans that feature the high-yielding, elite genetics growers expect from the Stine brand. We have 69 LibertyLink GT27 soybeans in our 2020 lineup, ranging from an 03 to a 47 maturity.
*Source: UPI Market data
LibertyLink GT27 is not tolerant to all HPPDi herbicides. HPPDi herbicides currently on the market are prohibited for use with LibertyLink GT27 soybeans and may result in significant crop injury. Components of the technology described here have not yet received regulatory approvals; approvals are pending.