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How might Dicamba drift injury impact soybean yields

An extension weed scientist says as dicamba drift complaints increase, the biggest question most affected farmers have will remain unanswered until harvest.

 

During the University of Minnesota’s Ag Pro Field School event Friday, Jeff Gunsolus told attendees the number one thing farmers are asking him about is how dicamba drift injury will impact soybean yields.

“The herbicides move to growing points, so if (plant development) is confined to vegetative and then regrows (there’s) a lot less concern as far as final yield impact.  But if it’s more when (the soybean) started flowering, (there’s) more uncertainty has to what (the yield impact) could be.”

He tells Brownfield for anyone suspecting plant injury from off-target dicamba, contacting their state Department of Agriculture and documenting whole-field comparisons are critical steps.

“For example, if you just have some mild cupping of leaves, I find it very unlikely that you’re going to have any yield problems.  Where we see more yield problems is when new growth is still coming out (and) expressing the injury.  If the new growth is brittle, that’s not a good sign.”

 

Gunsolus says soybean heights stunted by dicamba are another potential indicator that yield could be reduced.