FMC’s ANTHEM Flex Herbicide Approved for Use in Potato and Mint Production
The EPA has approved a nationwide label expansion for Anthem Flex herbicide from FMC for use in potatoes. With this label expansion, potato growers now have access to a new tool that delivers long residual control of more than 30 different broadleaf and grass weed species, including barnyard grass, foxtail, nightshade, pigweed and waterhemp.
Anthem Flex herbicide is a leading preemergent herbicide recognized for its long residual activity and low use rate. Enabling this long-lasting residual control of a wide weed spectrum are the two most effective modes of actions available for use in potatoes, which Anthem Flex herbicide is built on: carfentrazone-ethyl (Group 14 herbicide) and pyroxasulfone (Group 15 herbicide).
The herbicide has shown to have a 30% longer half-life in the soil compared to other Group 15 herbicides and the longest residual control of tough weeds. These characteristics allow Anthem Flex herbicide to deliver extended weed control into and throughout the summer months, resulting in cleaner fields. This also reduces the pressure placed on postemergent herbicides to control late-season weeds, like Johnsongrass, pigweed, nightshade and green and yellow foxtail.
“Growers are looking for consistent season-long weed control without complications, especially for increasingly difficult weeds,” says Kirk Sager, technical service manager for FMC. “By shifting the weed control application to a preemergence timing, Anthem Flex herbicide allows growers to be more upfront with their weed control and minimizes many of their worries, like weather, that are typically associated with postemergent herbicides.”
Anthem Flex herbicide should be applied when at least 2 inches of soil is covering the emerging potato sprouts and paired with a tank-mix partner herbicide. Growers may apply this herbicide as a broadcast spray to the soil’s surface after planting or at drag-off of potatoes prior to weed emergence. When tank mixed with strong burndown treatments, Anthem Flex herbicide is able to achieve a broader spectrum of control of emerged weeds.
“Tank-mix partners with Anthem Flex herbicide help broaden our weed spectrum to better control all weeds,” Sager says. “Metribuzin is a tank-mix option under normal weed pressure conditions. When facing heavy weed pressure, flumioxazin is a good tank-mix partner to pair with Anthem Flex herbicide.”
“There’s also rimsulfuron, another excellent tank-mix partner, and we can move this kind of chemistry into the preemergence timing with Anthem Flex herbicide rather than use it as a rescue treatment postemergent. Anthem Flex herbicide can help take the pressure off our postemergent technology and refocus our efforts on starting and staying weed free.”
Approved for Mint Production
The EPA has approved a label expansion for Anthem Flex herbicide from FMC on mint crops. With this label expansion, mint growers have a new, effective, flexible, multiple mode of action herbicide for controlling key grasses and broadleaf weeds, including Italian ryegrass, rattail fescue, foxtail, pigweed, yellow nutsedge, nightshade, downy brome and more.
Anthem Flex herbicide contains a high-load combination of two active ingredients: carfentrazone-ethyl and pyroxasulfone. This active ingredient combination is novel to mint growers. Pyroxasulfone is also a valuable solution for mint growers because it is the only Group 15 herbicide currently labeled for use on mint grown for oil and leaf.
“This tool offers growers the ability to use a residual herbicide at either the fall or spring application window,” said Kirk Sager, technical service manager for FMC. “As a fall-applied application, growers will see superior control of labeled winter annuals and grass weeds. Spring applications of Anthem Flex herbicide provide an extended window of control of summer grasses and small-seeded broadleaf weeds.”
One of the most impactful challenges mint growers experience with their operations relates to fall grass control. Prior to the introduction of Anthem Flex herbicide, there were no residual grass herbicides specifically labeled for fall dormant applications in mint. Mint growers can now target grass weeds and winter annuals during this part of the season with Anthem Flex herbicide.
“The long residual of Anthem Flex herbicide is important because it’s soil stable, which allows it to capture a wide array of the weed spectrum during times when it can be harder for growers to get into the field,” said Sager.
Anthem Flex herbicide gives mint growers much needed choice and flexibility to create a weed management plan that delivers successful results all season long.
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