Ways To Eradicate Grass In Sunflowers?

In sunflowers, weed control can be achieved using safe weed killers or pre-emergents that won’t affect the seeds. However, it’s crucial to use specific types of chemicals for weed control, as grass weeds are easier to manage in sunflowers than broadleaf weeds. ACCase-inhibitors (Select and Assure II) are effective on grass.

There are several mechanical weed control options available for commercial sunflower crop production, including manual removal, preplant burndown, and postemerge herbicides. Monoculture can lead to weed proliferation, so rotating sunflowers with crops like peas, barley, wheat, soybeans, or corn can disrupt weed cycles. To avoid residue and debris from sunflowers, remove old stalks.

Maintaining a thriving sunflower garden requires careful attention to weed control, using appropriate sprays and implementing tank mixing with methylated seed oil, such as StrikeLock. Clearfield® sunflowers are tolerant to Beyond® herbicide, which helps with nightshade control. Pre-emergent herbicides, either liquid or granular, are useful in controlling or suppressing weeds during the critical weed-free period.

There are three major options for weed control in sunflowers: tilling or hoeing between the rows, using chemicals, or using a Clearfield. Cadre is effective in controlling nutgrass, but residual from Cadre can cause germination issues. Flame weeders, often used in organic farming systems, can be effective in controlling emerged weeds. Resistant grasses can be controlled using a combination of crop rotation, pre-emergent herbicide, and inter-row spraying or cultivation. Perennial herbicides like Glyphosate plus Saddle-Up offer excellent control of grass and broadleaf weeds, and there are also plenty of residual herbicide options available.