Violet, Field
(Viola arvensis Murr.)

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Table of Contents

1. History
2. Life Cycle
3. Distinguishing Characteristics
4. Control in Corn
5. Control in Soybeans
6. Control in Winter Wheat

History

Field violet has occurred mainly in cereal crops and pastures. In recent years it has become more of a problem in other field crops such as corn and soybeans.

Life Cycle

Annual or winter annual and reproducing only by seed. One plant will generate around 2500 seeds. Field violet will flower and its seed will germinate all year round, ideally at a depth of between 0.5 to 1 cm.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Field violet essentially resembles a miniature pansy. The cotyledons are partially round and oval with a short stem. The leaves have notched margins and are ovate-lanceolate (oval and long, tapering to the leaf tip). The flower contains five petals that are light yellow, whitish and pink to violet.

Field Violet Pictures
Each thumbnail image links to a larger image

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Herbicide Control in Field Corn

Tillage will control any field violet that has emerged prior to planting, as would a pre-plant glyphosate application in no-till corn production. Unfortunately the corn crop usually does not canopy quickly enough to inhibit new seed germination and seedling establishment. Therefore a post-emergent herbicide is often necessary. Consistent control of field violet in corn with post-emergent herbicides has proven difficult. In one trial PeakPlus provided excellent control, yet when the trial was duplicated in another year the same treatment provided less than acceptable control (see Table 1). Callisto + atrazine (3/4 lb/ac) provided acceptable control in a 2002 field trial, however this treatment has not been replicated and therefore the level of consistency is unknown.

An infestation of field violet in corn.

Source:

Dr. François Tardif, University of Guelph.

Number of Trials:

Table 1 is based on a summary of 2 field trials in corn.

Herbicide Rates:

Rates used in this trial are listed in OMAF Publication 75 - Guide to Weed Control.

Weed Stage:

Field Violet was in flower at the time of application.

What has been your experience?

We want your feedback. Let us know what you have experienced with these or other products, as well as any other effective management strategies.

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Herbicide Control in Soybeans

A pre-plant application of glyphosate will provide good season long control provided the soybean crop can canopy over and prevent new seedling establishment. If field violet seedlings do emerge after the pre-plant glyphosate application, a post-emergent application of glyphosate (on Roundup Ready "RR" soybeans) or FirstRate should provide adequate control (see Table 1).

Source:

Dr. François Tardif, University of Guelph.

Number of Trials:

Table 1 is based on a summary of 2 field trials in soybean.

Herbicide Rates:

Rates used in this trial are listed in OMAF Publication 75 - Guide to Weed Control.

Weed Stage:

Field Violet was in flower at the time of application.

What has been your experience?

We want your feedback. Let us know what you have experienced with these or other products, as well as any other effective management strategies.

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Herbicide Control in Winter Wheat

Successful control of field violet in winter wheat has been achieved with Refine Extra, Estaprop or Turboprop or Dichlorprop D (See Table 1).

Table 1. Field violet control in winter wheat using three post-emergent broadleaf herbicides.

Source:

Dr. François Tardif, University of Guelph.

Number of Trials:

Table 1 is based on a summary of 2 field trials in winter wheat.

Herbicide Rates:

Rates used in this trial are listed in OMAF Publication 75 - Guide to Weed Control.

Weed Stage:

What has been your experience?

We want your feedback. Let us know what you have experienced with these or other products, as well as any other effective management strategies.