Sicklepod
Control methods for sicklepod include:
Mechanical control
- Slashing: Use a blunt blade to cut the stems of the plant before it sets seed.
- Rotary hoeing or discing: After mechanical control, immediately sow improved pastures.
- Hand pulling: Can be done early, but the plant’s long tap roots can regrow.
Chemical control
- Herbicides: Apply a soil-applied herbicide at planting, or a post-emergence herbicide. Some recommended herbicides include:
- Flumetsulam
- Imazaquin
- Metribuzin
- Picloram + 2,4-D
- Paraquat
Crop rotation
- Plant cereal grains: Rotate to winter and spring cereal grains to suppress sicklepod.
- Plant soybeans or corn: Plant early so they can emerge before sicklepod.
- Prepare the seedbed: Till shallowly to put seeds closer to the surface, where they are more vulnerable to weeding.
