Interaction of quizalofop-p-ethyl with 2,4-D choline and/or glufosinate for control of volunteer corn in corn resistant to aryloxyphenoxypropionates

Corn resistant to aryloxyphenoxypropionates (FOPs) (Enlist™ corn) enables the use of quizalofop-p-ethyl (QPE) as a selective postemergence (POST) herbicide for control of glufosinate/glyphosate-resistant corn volunteers. Growers usually mix QPE with 2,4-D choline and/or glufosinate to achieve broad-spectrum weed control in Enlist™ corn. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the efficacy of QPE applied alone or mixed with 2,4-D choline and/or glufosinate for control of glufosinate/glyphosate-resistant corn volunteers in Enlist™ corn and (2) determine the impact of application time (V3 or V6 growth stage of volunteer corn) of QPE-based treatments on volunteer corn control as well as Enlist™ corn injury and yield. Field experiments were conducted at South Central Agricultural Lab, Clay Center, NE in 2021 and 2022. Quizalofop-p-ethyl (46 or 93 g ai ha‒1) applied at V3 or V6 growth stage controlled volunteer corn ≥ 88% and ≥ 95% at 14 and 28 d after treatment (DAT), respectively. The QPE (46 g ai ha‒1) mixed with 2,4-D choline (800 g ae ha‒1) had 33% less expected control of V3 volunteer corn in 2021, and 8% less than expected control of V6 volunteer corn in 2022 at 14 DAT. Volunteer corn control was improved by 7%-9% using the higher rate of QPE (93 g ai ha‒1) in a mixture with 2,4-D choline (1,060 g ae ha‒1). The QPE mixed with glufosinate had an additive effect and interactions in any combinations were additive beyond 28 DAT. Mixing 2,4-D choline can reduce QPE efficacy on glufosinate/glyphosate-resistant corn volunteers up to 14 DAT when applied at the V3 or V6 growth stage; however, the antagonistic interaction did not translate into corn yield loss. Increasing the rate of QPE (93 g ai ha‒1) while mixing with 2,4-D choline can reduce antagonism.