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Option 1, 2, 3 - A New "One-Pass"
Corn Herbicide for Ontario

Option 1,2,3 is a new herbicide alternative from Bayer CropScience for annual grass and broadleaf weed control in field corn at the 1 to 3 leaf stage. It competes with other herbicide programs like Battalion and Callisto + Primextra II Magnum. However, when comparing all three programs, there are significant differences in the level of weed control achieved on certain species.

Option 1,2,3 Rates

Option 1,2,3 contains 4 components, 2 of which are included in one pre-pack. The other 2 components (Aatrex 480 and 28% UAN) must be purchased separately and then tank-mixed at the following rates:

1. Option 2.25 OD (foramsulfuron): 270 mL/ac +
2. Define 60 DF (flufenacet): 310 g/ac +
3. Aatrex 480: 710 mL/ac
4. 28% UAN at 1 L/ac

Activity on Weeds

Option 1,2,3 will control emerged and non-emerged weeds similar to Battalion. Callisto + Primextra II Magnum will control emerged broadleaf weeds but only emerged grasses up until the 1 to 2 leaf stage.

Strengths

Option 1,2,3 has good control of Fall panicum, Yellow foxtail, Green foxtail and Velvetleaf.

Weaknesses

Option 1,2,3 does not adequately control Large Crabgrass.

Table 1. Visual control of Fall panicum, Yellow foxtail and Green foxtail 6 to 8 weeks after herbicide application (6-8 weeks after application)

Sources: * 6 comparative trials conducted by the University of Guelph in 2005 and 2006.
** 1 comparative trial conducted by the University of Guelph in 2006.

Table 2. Visual control of Large Crabgrass at 6 to 8 weeks after herbicide application.

Source: 3 comparative trials conducted by the University of Guelph in 2005 and 2006.

Similarities

In public research trials, Option 1,2,3 effectively controlled a similar spectrum of common broadleaf and grass weeds (see below) as other comparable herbicide programs like Battalion and Callisto + Primextra II Magnum.

• Common lamb's-quarters
• Eastern black nightshade
• Pigweed species
• Wild mustard
• Wild buckwheat
• Common ragweed
• Barnyard grass
  

Perennial Weeds

All three herbicide programs are generally not effective at controlling perennial weeds. Although certain perennial weeds may be susceptible to components within each of the three herbicide programs (i.e. Canada thistle and the Banvel II component of Battalion), such perennial weeds have usually not emerged at the recommended time of application.

Cost

When comparing the suggested retail price minus any "automatic discounts", all three herbicide programs are similarly priced at around $32 to 33/ac. Rebate programs were not considered since they are usually tied to volume purchases or early pay periods which are not necessarily achievable by all growers.

Summary

When comparing Option 1,2,3 to similar products in public research trials, Option 1,2,3 demonstrated comparable control of many annual grass and broadleaf weeds, superior activity of fall panicum, and poor control of large crabgrass. Perennial weeds should not be targeted with Option 1,2,3, Battalion, or Callisto + Primextra II Magnum.