Start clean, stay clean: Win the weed fight in sorghum

For many sorghum growers, the planting window opens when temperatures climb and soil moisture is still hanging on from winter. Getting the crop off to a clean start is crucial—and that starts with a smart spring burndown strategy. But a clean field at planting is only half the battle. The other half is protecting that investment from herbicide-resistant weeds that can choke out yield potential later in the season.

“When it comes to crop protection and resistance management, commitment from everyone involved is key,” says Tim Ford, HELM Crop Solutions U.S. crop consultant liaison and regional sales manager for the South Delta. “Weed resistance management is complicated. We need engagement from all levels – growers, retailers, suppliers and companies – to ensure best practices are consistently applied.”

According to Ford, a well-executed spring burndown not only helps manage early weed pressure but also lays the foundation for better soil health and more resilient sorghum stands.

Why burndown matters in sorghum

Sorghum seedlings can’t afford early competition. Their slower initial growth makes them especially vulnerable to aggressive weeds such as Palmer amaranth, kochia and waterhemp. A spring burndown helps eliminate these early-season threats before they get a foothold.

This pre-planting step delivers three key benefits:

1. Cleaner starts and better stand establishment. Removing weeds early ensures seedlings capture sunlight, nutrients and moisture right away.
2. Improved stand uniformity. Consistent emergence translates to more even growth and maturity.
3. Optimized yield potential. Reducing competition during the first few weeks preserves resources for the developing crop.

In drier regions where sorghum thrives, a good burndown also conserves moisture by eliminating weeds that would otherwise draw down valuable soil water before planting.

Understanding modes of action (MOA)

Burndown is important but so is how it’s done. As herbicide-resistant weeds become more widespread across sorghum country, diversifying the MOA in weed control programs is essential.

“Resistance is one of the biggest threats we face in sorghum systems,” says Ford. “Growers need to think beyond just what works this season and build rotation into their long-term plan.”

Research from Cornell University underscores the global challenge:

• 534 unique cases of herbicide resistance have been documented across 273 weed species.
• These span 168 herbicides and 21 of 31 MOAs.
• The United States alone accounts for more than 130 cases.

One tool for diversifying MOAs is Reviton^®, which has demonstrated effectiveness against several tough species, including Palmer amaranth, giant ragweed, lambsquarters, and waterhemp, common in sorghum-producing regions. Reviton fits easily into pre-plant tank mixes, which allows growers to customize control while rotating chemistry.

Ford cautions that not all products with different names bring new MOAs. “Some products coming off patent are repackaged under various brands but contain the same active chemistry,” he notes. “Always check labels and make sure the mode of action truly differs from what you’ve used before.”

Active ingredients (AI) and application rates are important

Sorghum growers are often balancing multiple herbicide programs, so understandingactive ingredient (AI) concentration is vital. The AI is the compound that actually kills the weeds; the rest of the formulation consists of additives that improve handling and performance.

For example, if a herbicide lists 30% tiafenacil, that percentage represents the true weed-killing component, not the total liquid in the container. This percentage determines how much product must be applied per acre for proper control.

“Even small differences in concentration can have a big impact,” Ford says. “A lower AI percentage might mean you need more product, while too much can stress young sorghum plants or drift onto neighboring crops.”

Using too little risks poor control and resistance buildup. Using too much can injure seedlings or affect neighboring broadleaf crops, particularly in tight rotations.

Precision in rate calculations and spray coverage is important for success in sorghum systems. Effective weed control doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes a team approach that includes retailers and agronomists working in sync with growers.

“Good retailers and advisors are in the field, not just at the counter,” says Ford. “They’re seeing what’s emerging, what’s changing and helping growers make smart, timely decisions.”

While resistance management can seem like extra work, Ford reminds growers that prevention always costs less than correction. “The time and dollars spent cleaning up resistant weeds later can far outweigh the investment in a proactive plan,” he says. “Start clean, stay clean. It really is that simple.”

In addition to a start clean, stay clean strategy, Reviton has user safety and crop rotation convenience. Its label bears the Caution signal word and the following plant-back intervals for a variety of crops.