Control Strategies for Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) in No-Tillage Cropping Systems

Abstract

Common dandelion has developed into a troublesome agronomic weed for no-tillage corn and soybean producers in Michigan and throughout the north central region of the United States. Field experiments were conducted on established populations of common dandelion in 2001 to 2002 and 2002 to 2003 to evaluate the effect of preplant and sequential herbicide applications on established populations of common dandelion. Preplant treatments of glyphosate or 2,4-D ester were applied early fall, late fall, early spring, and late spring. For both glyphosate and 2,4-D ester, the fall applications were more effective than the spring applications. Glyphosate at 840 gae/ha was more effective than 2,4-D ester at 1,120 gae/ha at each application timing. A single application of glyphosate or 2,4-D ester applied either in the fall or spring did not provide season-long control of common dandelion. Sequential treatments of glyphosate following preplant applications of either glyphosate or 2,4-D ester provided season-long control of common dandelion.