Kochia
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Kochia is a summer annual weed that is showing resistance to different herbicides in several states. The plant thrives in hot weather. So, a program approach featuring residual herbicides and several modes of action is key to controlling the weed throughout the growing season.
- Common names: Kochia, Mexican fireweed, mirabel, mock cypress
- Scientific name: Bassia scoparia
- Cotyledons: Linear to narrowly lance-shaped
- Leaf shape: Flat, linear to lance-shaped
- Reproduction: Seed
- Flowers: Clusters of green flowers with spiked heads
Fast facts
- Kochia plants can resemble the shape of a Christmas tree.
- The somewhat bushy weed can grow upward of 7 feet tall, with an extensive root system.
- Young kochia plants may be confused with lambsquarters seedlings. Kochia has highly branched growth patterns with hairs occurring along leaf margins.
- The weed germinates in the summer months, annually.
- Kochia seed production is moderate to high. Seeds disperse via a “tumbleweed” mechanism, meaning a mature stem will detach from its base and then be blown about by wind.
- Seeds are short-lived in the soil, but they possess a high initial germination rate.
Control tips
- Corn and soybean growers should start spring with tillage or a burndown herbicide application. Experts advise applying the burndown shortly after the first flush of kochia has emerged.
- Do not apply the burndown and preemergence herbicide in the same application. Kochia can grow larger and farmers may not achieve effective control.
- With kochia showing resistance to ALS, glyphosate and triazine herbicides, it’s imperative to use a program approach to control the weed. Layer residual herbicides with multiple modes of action.
- For example, to control kochia in a soybean field, you could apply Elevore® herbicide as a burndown, then Sonic® herbicide as a preemergent and DuPont™ EverpreX® herbicide as a postemergent.
- Kochia thrives in hot weather, so it’s imperative to have residual control throughout the growing season.
States With Resistant Kochia by Crop*
States With Kochia Resistant to Glyphosate*
Corteva Agriscience offers the following weed control solutions:
Corn Herbicides
- DuPont™ Cinch® ATZ herbicide
- Durango® DMA® herbicide
- Elevore® herbicide
- Enlist Duo® herbicide, as part of the Enlist™ weed control system
- Enlist One® herbicide, as part of the Enlist weed control system
- FulTime® NXT herbicide
- Keystone® LA NXT herbicide
- Keystone® NXT herbicide
- DuPont™ Realm® Q herbicide
- Resicore® herbicide
- SureStart® II herbicide
Soybean Herbicides
- Durango DMA herbicide
- Elevore herbicide
- Enlist Duo® herbicide, as part of the Enlist™ weed control system
- Enlist One® herbicide, as part of the Enlist weed control system
- DuPont™ EverpreX® herbicide
- Sonic® herbicide
- Surveil® herbicide
- DuPont™ Afforia® herbicide
- DuPont™ Enlite® herbicide
- DuPont™ Trivence® herbicide
Source:
International Herbicide-Resistant Weed Database. 2020. Bassia scoparia. Kochia. http://www.weedscience.org/Home.aspx
™®Afforia, Cinch, DMA, DuPont, Durango, Elevore, Enlist, Enlist Duo, Enlist One, Enlite, EverpreX, FeXapan, FulTime, Keystone, Realm, Resicore, Sonic, SureStart, Surveil and Trivence are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. VaporGrip Technology is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC used under license. Cinch ATZ, FulTime NXT, Keystone LA NXT and Keystone NXT are Restricted Use Pesticides. FeXapan herbicide Plus VaporGrip Technology is a Restricted Use Pesticide. For retail sale to and use only by Certified Applicators and only for those uses covered by the Certified Applicator’s certification. Afforia, Cinch ATZ, Durango DMA, Elevore, Enlite, EverpreX, FeXapan herbicide Plus VaporGrip Technology, FulTime NXT, Keystone LA NXT, Realm Q, Resicore, Sonic, SureStart II, Surveil and Trivence are not registered for sale or use in all states. Keystone NXT is not available for sale, distribution or use in all states. FulTime NXT, Keystone LA NXT, Keystone NXT, Resicore and SureStart II are not available for sale, distribution or use in Nassau and Suffolk counties in the state of New York. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use with Enlist crops. Consult Enlist herbicide labels for weed species controlled. Always read and follow label directions.