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Sorghum Herbicide Rotation Restrictions to Soybeans in Oklahoma

 Effective weed management is crucial for optimizing crop yield and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. In modern farming, herbicides play a pivotal role in controlling weed populations, enhancing crop productivity and minimizing manual labor. However, the indiscriminate use of herbicides can lead to the development of herbicide-resistant weeds and pose envi­ronmental risks, e.g., off-site drift. 

One significant aspect of herbicide management is understanding rotational restrictions, especially when transitioning between different crops within a rotation cycle. Sorghum and soybeans are staple crops in many agricultural regions, each with its unique herbicide requirements and constraints. When rotating from sorghum to soybeans, producers must carefully consider herbicide residual effects to prevent potential crop injury and ensure effective weed control. 

This publication aims to explore and inform producers of the rotational restrictions associated with herbicide usage when transitioning from sorghum to soybean systems. By examining key herbicides commonly used in sorghum production and their residual impacts on subsequent soybean crops, producers can make informed decisions to mitigate risks, optimize herbicide efficacy and promote sustainable crop production practices. 

Understanding the dynamics of herbicide residual activity, soil characteristics, crop sensitivities and regulatory guidelines is essential for successful crop rotation management. Through proper planning and adherence to rotational restrictions, pro­ducers can maintain weed control effectively while safeguarding crop health and maximizing yields in sorghum-to-soybean rotation systems. 

Soybeans with sulfonylurea tolerance traits (“STS”) are designed to assist soybean plants in managing previously applied sulfonylurea herbicides, typically by reducing the duration of rotational restrictions after application. The BOLT soybean trait of­fers enhanced tolerance to sulfonylurea herbicides. However, despite the provided tolerance to sulfonylurea herbicides through these traits, adherence to rotational restrictions is essential to minimize the risk of potential crop damage. 

The tables provided below offer a concise overview of frequently utilized herbicides in sorghum production in Oklahoma, along with their corresponding rotation restrictions for soybeans. This compilation serves to streamline the accessibility of rota­tional restrictions. For any inquiries or precise details regarding particular chemical compositions, it is advisable to refer to the respective product labels.

Table 1. List of common pre-plant herbicides used on grain sorghum and their rotation restrictions with soybean.
HerbicideComponent HerbicidesMOASoybean Rotational RestrictionsNotes
2,4-D2,4-DGrowth Regulator7 Days = at 1 pt (0.5 lb ae)/acre

15 Days = at 2.1 pts (1 lb ae)/acre
Do not use on sandy soil, or unacceptable crop injury can occur. Seed furrow must be completely closed.
ExpertAtrazine, Metolachlor, GlyphosatePS II Inhibitor, Amino Acid Synthesis Inhibitor, Shoot Growth Inhibitor10-18 MonthsMay be planted the following cropping season, but injury may occur if calcerous soil surface layers are present. If applied after June 10, rotation with crops other than corn or sorghum the following spring may result in crop injury.
GlyphosateGlyphosateAmino Acid Synthesis Inhibitor0 MonthsWhen utilizing Roundup Ready® soybeans
GramoxoneParaquatPS I Inhibitor0 MonthsRotational crops may be planted immediately after the last application.
Table 2. List of common pre-emergence herbicides used on grain sorghum and their rotation restrictions with soybean.
HerbicideComponent HerbicidesMOASoybean Rotational RestrictionsNotes
AtrazineAtrazinePS II Inhibitor10-18 MonthsIf planted the following year, risk remains possible for crop injury when broadcast rate was more than 4 pts/acre.
Bicep II MagnumAtrazine, MetolachlorPS II Inhibitor, Shoot Growth Inhibitor10-18 MonthsMay be planted the following spring after application if average rainfall has occurred. Fields with a calcerous surface layer, or those with Bicep II Magnum applied after June 10, may experience crop injury if soybeans are planted the following year.
Dual II MagnumMetolachlorShoot Growth Inhibitor0 Months 
Guardsman MaxDimethenamid-P,
Atrazine
Shoot Growth Inhibitor, PS II Inhibitor10 MonthsMay be planted the following cropping season, but injury may occur on soils with calcareous surface layer.
LinexLinuronPS II Inhibitor4 MonthsSee label for specific crop restrictions
OutlookDimethenamidShoot Growth Inhibitor0 Months 
ParamountQuincloracGrowth Regulator10 Months 
ProwlPendimethalinRooth Growth Inhibitor0 Months 
SequenceGlyphosate, S-metolachlorAmino Acid Synthesis
Inhibitor, Shoot
Growth Inhibitor
0 Months 
Table 3. List of common post-emergence herbicides used on grain sorghum and their rotation restrictions with soybean.
HerbicideComponent HerbicidesMOASoybean Rotational RestrictionsNotes
2,4-D2,4-DGrowth Regulator1 Month30 day preharvest interval for sorghum
Aim ECCarfentrazonePPO Inhibitor0 Months 
Ally + 2,4-DMetsulfuron Methyl,
2,4-D
ALS Inhibitor, Growth Regulator12 Months for non-STS or BOLT technology soybeanspH 7.9 or less with average rainfall
Banvel, ClarityDicambaGrowth RegulatorBanvel = after harvest of treated crop Clarity = 4 Months 
BasagranBentazonPS II Inhibitor0 Days 
BuctrilBromoxynilPS II Inhibitor1 Month 
MarksmanDicamba, AtrazineGrowth Regulator, PS II Inhibitor12 MonthsIf applied after June 10, rotation with crops other than corn or sorghum the following spring may result in crop injury. Injury may be expected on calcareous soils.
PeakProsulfuronALS Inhibitor22 months 
PermitThifensulfuron, HalosulfuronAmino Acid Synthesis
Inhibitor
0-9 MonthsSTS soybean is 0 months. All other soybeans are 9 months unless the pH is less than 7.5, then interval is 5 months.
ProwlPendimethalinRoot Growth Inhibitor0 Months 
WeedmasterDicamba, 2,4-DGrowth Regulator4 Months 
Treflan HFPTrifluralinRoot Growth Inhibitor5 Months 
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