Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

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.

Views: 534

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.

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

Ingenuity, Upgrades and Legacy: On-Farm Practices That Pay Off for These Beef Producers

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is made up of producer members from across Canada, appointed by each of the provincial beef organizations that allocate part of the?Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off? to research. The number of members from each province is proportional to the amount of provincial check-off allocated to research.? The following is part of a series?introducing you to this group of innovative thinkers. These producers set the BCRC’s direction by sharing practices, strategies or technologies they have integrated into their own operations. Read?the past installments in?this series.?? Implementing changes to increase profitability, reduce labour or fit farm work around an off-farm job doesn’t happen overnight. But, is doesn’t always require big investments either. Small tweaks and creatively using resources already on your farm can add up to meaningful gains and deliver big pay offs. Using Data and Resources Effectively Tara Mulhern Davidson, along with her husband R

New technology to power Alberta’s energy future

Through the industry-funded TIER program, Alberta’s government is investing $28 million to support six projects using technologies that will help energy companies save money, reduce environmental impacts and stay globally competitive. Using Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Industrial Transformation Challenge, these innovations will protect pipelines, turn farm waste into energy instead of pollution, restore well sites and keep lowering methane emissions. This investment supports Alberta’s efforts to continue producing the most responsible energy in the world while doubling production by 2035. “We’re increasing energy production and protecting the environment at the same time. The world wants our energy, and these technologies can help us deliver while lowering emissions and keeping our industries competitive for decades to come. We’re investing in made-in-Alberta projects because nobody innovates faster and better than Albertans.” Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Are

Ag superstitions for Friday the 13th

It’s believed witches use eggshells as boats.

RDAR Announces 2026 – 2027 Board of Directors

Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) is pleased to announce its 2026–2027 Board of Directors, a group that reflects the strength, diversity, and regional depth of Alberta’s agriculture industry. This year’s Board brings together primary producers, ranchers, agronomists, researchers, and experienced agrifood business leaders to guide RDAR’s mandate and ensure producer-led, results-driven research reaches those who need it most: Alberta’s farmers and ranchers. Drawing on a broad cross-section of agricultural expertise and governance experience, the Board sets priorities that align with producer needs and industry standards. The majority of Directors are active farmers and ranchers from across Alberta, ensuring RDAR remains firmly grounded in real-world production challenges and opportunities. The Board represents an extensive range of commodities and production systems—including dryland and irrigated crops, livestock, dairy, poultry, and mixed farming. Primary Producers and Agron

Titan International Inc. Signs as Title Sponsor for 2026 Farm Equipment Dealership Minds Summit

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The editors of Farm Equipment announced at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville that Titan International has signed on as a Title Sponsor for the 2026 Dealership Minds Summit in Springfield, Ill. on August 4-5, 2026.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service