Weeds & Invasive Plants

All Weeds & Invasive Plants Content

Waterhemp growing at he edge of a soybean field nearing harvest.

Enlist One (2,4-D) and Liberty (Glufosinate) Applied Alone or Mixed During the Day and Night: Weed Control and Soybean Yield Implications

Fact sheet on the research done to determine weed control effectiveness with Enlist One and Liberty alone and tank mixed when applied during the daytime and nighttime.

sun rising over South Dakota field

South Dakota Pest Management Guides

The South Dakota Pest Management guides are now available for free. The guides offer recommendations for controlling weeds, insects, and diseases in a variety of South Dakota crops.

Tractor with sprayer applying postemergence herbicide to soybeans.

Current State of Row Crop Weed Management in South Dakota

Results of an online survey to determine how South Dakota stakeholders are currently managing row crop weeds.

Three yellow corn ears with a solid black background.

Another Revisitation of Using 2,4-D and Dicamba for Corn Weed Management: Application timing and rates matter

While doing some final weed control ratings this season, ears were pulled from plants in plots treated with 2,4-D, dicamba, and a standard Group 27 herbicide program pre-and-postemergence. Learn what impacts these herbicides had on the ear's size and appearance.

Several plastic bottles of pesticides gathered together in a white tub.

Managing Waste Pesticides: Restricted Use Pesticides

While pesticides are intended only to impact pests, they can have negative consequences on unintended targets, such as humans and wildlife, if not handled properly. Learn what steps you need to take to safely dispose of unused pesticides and comply with regulations.

Small, green and yellow florets being held by a hand.

Isolated Female Waterhemp Plant Produced Seed: Implications that pollen is in the air

Recent observations by the SDSU Extension Weed Science team highlight that pollen can move far distances to pollinate isolated female plants. This reinforces the need to effectively manage weeds in fields and adjacent areas.

Tractor applying residual herbicide to a bare field.

Fall-Applied Residual Herbicides

Many parts of South Dakota can experience dry conditions when residual herbicides are applied, resulting in inadequate weed control. In these areas, residual herbicides can be applied in the fall and take advantage of a longer period to receive activating precipitation.

A white and purple seedhead of a Canada thistle with a blurry, bright green background.

Perennial Weed Management in the Fall

Most herbicide applications to manage perennial weeds have already occurred. However, now is the time to consider fall applications for weeds that were not treated or escaped the spring application.

A green Canada thistle with large, round galls throughout.

Galls on Canada Thistle: Biological Management at Work

A common sight this summer on Canada thistle is odd growths (also known as galls) on stems. These galls are a product of thistle stem gall fly attacking Canada thistle plants.

Tall, green grass surrounding a small, green yellow toadflax plant that hasn’t quite flowered yet.

Yellow Toadflax Has Not Flowered in Some Parts of South Dakota

Yellow toadflax is a difficult-to-manage weed that infests pastures and rangeland. In contrast with other weeds, yellow toadflax should be sprayed when flowers are present for more-effective management.