Evaluation of Huskie FX compared with other herbicides for weed control in spring wheat at Hettinger, ND, 2024

A trial was conducted at Hettinger, ND to evaluate weed control with the herbicide Huskie FX (fluroxypyr plus bromoxynil plus pyrasulfotole) compared with other herbicides used for weed control in spring wheat. Huskie FX is a relatively new herbicide registered for weed control in wheat, although it is essentially a new premix of herbicides that have been previously labelled. It has been demonstrated in the past to control many common broadleaf weeds that are problematic in spring wheat production in North Dakota. Wheat was seeded using a no-till drill on April 29, 2024 at a depth of 2 inches. One week prior to planting, glyphosate was applied to the entire plot area to control emerged weeds. Wheat emerged on May 13. Herbicide treatments (Table 1) were applied on June 7 when weeds were 2 to 3 inches in height on average. Weeds present included kochia, common lambsquarters, and wild buckwheat. Control of kochia resulting from application of Huskie FX at 2 WAT was greater when comparing rates of 18 oz/A with 15.5 oz/A. This difference was not seen at the 4 WAT evaluation.  Kochia control with Huskie FX was greater than what was seen when compared with Widearmatch (fluroxypyr plus clopyralid plus halauxifen) plus MCPA, Talinor (bromoxynil plus bicyclopyrone), and Bison (bromoxynil plus MCAP).  At 4 WAT, there were no differences in common lambsquarters control when comparing all treatments, with the exception of Talinor (79% control), and control ranged from 95-97%. At 4 WAT, wild buckwheat control was great when comparing Huskie FX applied at 18 oz/A with 15.5 oz/A. Control of wild buckwheat resulting from Widearmatch application (84%) was similar to the 18 oz/A rate of Huskie FX (86%). Wild buckwheat control was less with other herbicide treatments.  No difference in wheat yield was observed due to herbicide treatment. Drought conditions occurred in late June through August in southwest North Dakota. This limited wheat yield and resulted in greater variability among treatments. Wheat yield in all herbicide treatments was numerically greater than that of the untreated control. Test weight in the control treatment was also less when compared with other herbicide treatments.