Common Cocklebur: A Common Headache
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Common cocklebur is known as one of the most competitive weeds in Midwest soybean fields, but it also can cause trouble in your cornfields if you’re not careful.
The weed has made a strong comeback in the last couple years thanks to changing weather patterns. Cocklebur emergence is becoming unpredictable. So, you’ll want to make sure to control it regardless of the forecast.
What It Does
Common cocklebur is known for its prickly burs that attach themselves to animals, clothing or human hair. Those burs, which contain two seeds each, can be carried far and wide thanks to their spiny exteriors.
The seeds and seedlings are also noxious and have been known to kill livestock. An animal will likely die if it eats at least 1% of its body weight in cocklebur seeds and seedlings.
The weed used to emerge in late spring, but it is now often showing up in early summer. This means residual herbicides may have already run out before the cocklebur seedlings ever make an appearance. This change in timing makes the weed particularly difficult to control.
Add to that, herbicide-resistant common cocklebur has been recorded in 12 states, including Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Ohio. Those weeds have shown resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides.
So, be on the lookout for cocklebur next season.
What to Watch for
Common cocklebur seedlings have purple stems with large, shiny, waxy, bright-green leaves. The early leaves appear in an opposite pattern.
Adult cocklebur plants can grow up to 4 feet tall. They have the unique prickly burs, as well as triangular, toothed leaves that grow in an alternate pattern. The leaves are also known for having a distinctive smell. Mature stems are thick with purple or black spots.
You can find these weeds in most fields and pastures. They’re particularly prominent in open, moist areas.
As a summer annual, cockleburs will typically flower sometime between July and October. The specific timing depends on the climate and the weather in any given year.
How to Control Common Cocklebur
To control common cocklebur, you’ll need to make note of when it tends to emerge in your area. Then you’ll want to plan a good program approach with several modes of action and long residual control.
An excellent program from Corteva Agriscience includes a preemergence application of SureStart® II or Resicore® herbicide, followed by a postemergence application of Realm® Q herbicide. Realm Q is especially good for cocklebur, because it is a postemergence solution with long residual activity that is made to control late-emerging weeds.
Create your custom program approach for controlling common cocklebur using the Corn Herbicides Portfolio page on Corteva.us.
™ ® Realm® Q, Resicore® and SureStart® II are not registered for sale or use in all states. Resicore and SureStart II are not available for sale, distribution or use in Nassau and Suffolk counties in the state of New York. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.
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