Extension Spotlight

Feral rye, along with other annual grasses are troublesome pests for wheat producers.

Rye, along with jointed goatgrass and cheat grass, cost Colorado Wheat producers’ money annually in terms of reduced yield and increased dockage. However, a newer wheat production system termed CoAXium Wheat Production System is an option for wheat producers who have annual grassy weeds. The CoAXium wheat Production System is a herbicide tolerance technology based on a non-gmo AXigen wheat trait.

The technology was developed at Colorado State University and is owned by the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation. CoAXium is the name for the production system, Axigen is the wheat gene and Aggressor is the herbicide.

Aggressor applied to CoAXium wheat varieties provides control of winter annual grasses such as feral rye, downy brome (cheat) and jointed goatgrass. Aggressor is applied at eight to 12 ounces per acre to growing wheat and emerged rye in the fall or spring, or as a split application. Coverage and actively growing rye are important for control. Use surfactants such as MSO or COC for best results.

The new CoAXium wheat production system has proven results controlling feral rye, downy brome and jointed goatgrass using wheat varieties such as AP 18 AX, Cresent AX, LCS Photon AX, LCS Helix AX, LCS Eclipse AX, LCS Fusion AX, Battle AX, LCS Atomic AX, Kivari AX, CP7017 AX and CP7050 AX.

Aggressor applied to these varieties at eight to 12 ounces per acre to actively growing feral rye has provided very good results. Split applications in fall (eight ounces/a Aggressor + COC) and spring (eight ounces/a + MSO) can be applied to emerged rye. Application coverage to rye plants is important and 15 gallons water per acre is recommended.

For additional information, access http://www.Coaxium.com.