I guess nightshade doesn't get frost bite

The sight of nightshade's purplish/black berries in a "food grade" soybean crop is every producer's worst nightmare. They stain the seed and dramatically reduce the value of the crop. In theory, you would kill uncontrolled nightshade prior to harvest with either a herbicide (i.e. Reglone, glyphosate) or mother nature (i.e. a frost), the berries would drop to the ground, never go through the combine and the seed would be left unstained. Unfortunately this is a theory, and reality shows us otherwise. Around the 12th of October, a significant frost was observed in Waterloo/Wellington county which resullted in a number of annual weed species "dying off" in soybeans.

The one notable exception was nightshade. Even though the leaves were finally starting to wilt after 4-5 days of consecutive frosty mornings, the berries were still very much attached to the plant. Plant dessication with herbicides has proven equally ineffective as many berries will still cling to the plant even after it has died off. The average plant in this field had 280 berries with each berry averaging 60 seeds for a total of 16,800 seeds per plant.

If you had Eastern Black Nightshade in a field of "food grade" soybeans it's either because: 1) You didn't know it was there in the first place or 2) You knew it was there, but the herbicide was ineffective Public trials conducted by the University of Guelph (Sikkema, Swanton and Tardif) have shown that following herbicide programs provide greater than 80% control of Eastern Black Nightshade in soybean. 1) Pursuit (PRE or POST - 99% visual control) 2) Lorox L (PRE - 99% visual control at the highest labeled rate) 3) Dual II Magnum (PRE) followed by Reflex (POST - 98% visual control) 4) Dual II Magnum (PRE, highest labeled rate - 87% visual control) 5) Frontier (PRE, highest labeled rate - 80% visual control) If you have used one of the above herbicide treatments and they did not provide adequate control, it may be possible that the population of Eastern Black Nightshade in your field is resistant. The University of Guelph can test this population for you to determine if it is herbicide resistant.

< Previous Post

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Wayne Black on November 8, 2009 at 3:05pm: Nightshade in some corn samples today at the elevator. My dad's field had it bad in a spot where the corn was thin and short. I think this weed needs an attitude adjustment next year!

Comment by Mike Cowbrough on October 20, 2009 at 9:30am: Thanks Joe, you're absolutely right. There has been limited experience in Ontario with Valtera on nightshade, but so far it has done a very nice job.

Comment by Joe Dales on October 20, 2009 at 9:20am: Hi Mike: The Valent company has a new product registered for nightshade as well.
Here is their news release on registration.

Valent Canada adds Valtera™ Herbicide to 2009 product lineup
Brand new active ingredient benefits soybean growers

GUELPH, ON —Valent Canada has received Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency approval to register Valtera Herbicide for use in soybeans. Valtera is a low use rate preemergence herbicide which gives growers residual control of many broadleaf weeds and enhanced post emergence weed control when tank mixed with glyphosate. It has been sold in the U.S. since 2001 under the trade name Valor® Herbicide.

Valtera controls annual nightshade species (Eastern black nightshade and hairy nightshade), pigweeds (redroot and green), common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and dandelion. Valtera also provides suppression of green foxtail.

New active ingredient
Valtera contains the active ingredient flumioxazin, a member of the protox inhibitor type of herbicides (Group 14), and offers new management options for weeds resistant to Group 2 & 5 herbicides. However, unlike many other Group 14 herbicides, flumioxazin provides enhanced burndown and residual control.

Flumioxazin works by inhibiting production of an enzyme important in the synthesis of chlorophyll. "Its rapid soil and water dissipation," said Regina Rieckenberg, Valent Canada sales and marketing manager, "along with a low use rate, results in a low carryover potential to rotational crops."

In identity preserved soybeans, Valtera is intended to be used in a program with other residual herbicides. It should be applied as a preplant or early preemergence herbicide, from 30 days prior to planting and up to three days after planting (before emergence). In burndown situations, it can be used as a foundation herbicide partner with glyphosate in glyphosate-tolerant soybeans.

"By using flumioxazin in a program with other herbicides," said Rieckenberg, "the grower helps to preserve the effectiveness of other herbicides and decreases or delays development of weed resistance. With excellent weed control and flexible rotational restrictions, Valtera ushers in a new era of weed control."

Valtera is one of the many quality products from Valent Canada, including plant growth regulators, herbicides and insecticides. Valent's product line includes leading brands such as DiPel® Insecticide, Distance® Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), Fascination® Plant Growth Regulator (PGR), Foray® Biological Insecticide, MaxCel® PGR, Promalin® PGR. ReTain® PGR, Sumagic® PGR, VectoBac® Biological Insecticide and Velocity® Herbicide.

RSS

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Update on AAFC Staffing Reductions and Canola Research

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)’s decision to close multiple research stations and reduce staff across the country is alarming. Consultation is urgently needed so research funders understand the impacts of the cuts, explore alternatives where needed, and identify paths forward. AAFC researchers and facilities are world-class, and they have played a crucial role in advancing canola production for Canadian farmers. Alberta Canola, Manitoba Canola Growers and SaskOilseeds expresses our heartfelt gratitude to the AAFC researchers, technicians, and other supporting staff who have contributed to growth and profitability of the canola sector in Canada. Canadian farmers have earned Canada’s place as a leading oilseed supplier, with canola contributing billions to the Canadian economy; these government cuts raise serious questions about the support needed to sustain that success. Canola growers invest millions of dollars per year in research projects, many of which are being led and

Joint Letter on the Closure of Federal Agricultural Research Centres

We are writing to express our deep disappointment with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s recent decision to close three federal research and development centres and four satellite research farms across Canada, including the research and development centre in Lacombe, Alberta. Research and development are critical to advancing industries and economies by addressing current challenges and building resilience for the future and has played a vital role in growing agricultural exports to $100.3 billion in 2024 (AAFC, 2025). In the context of today’s global environment and declining productivity for Canadian agriculture, it is more important than ever to support domestic research capacity to ensure Canada remains a leader in agriculture for years to come. Public investment in agricultural research has historically delivered some of the highest economic returns of any government expenditure. Independent studies consistently demonstrate that agricultural research and development generates st

Alberta Canola Announces Board Leadership After 36th AGM

Alberta Canola Producers Commission held its 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during the CrossRoads Crop Conference in Edmonton. Following the AGM, the Board re-elected Andre Harpe of Valhalla Centre, as Chair and elected Christine McKee of Stirling as Vice Chair. Harpe also recognized and thanked outgoing directors Christi Friesen and Paula Law for their dedicated service. Friesen represented growers in Region 1, bringing energy, thoughtful perspective, and a strong commitment to collaboration. Law served growers in Region 7 and was a respected voice on the Board, known for her leadership, vision, and steady focus on the best interests of Alberta’s canola growers. The Board also welcomed Chris Kamphuis of Worsley as the new director for Region 1 and Jason Lenz of Bentley as the new director for Region 7.

Canadian Olympic ties to ag

From athletes to officials, Canada’s ag sector will be represented in Italy

Nutrien Names Chris Reynolds Global Sales Leader

Nutrien has named Chris Reynolds as EVP Global Sales to unite sales teams worldwide improve efficiency and strengthen customer value as part of a planned leadership transition.

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service