In 2018, a new herbicide-tolerant wheat production system was launched and is now available to wheat growers in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana Oklahoma, and parts of Oregon and Washington. This new technology, CoAxiumTM Wheat Production System, allows growers to control annual cool season grassy weeds, including feral rye, downy bromegrass (cheatgrass) and jointed goatgrass. The CoAxiumTM Wheat Production System includes winter wheat varieties with the non-GMO herbicide-tolerant trait, AXigenTM and the herbicide AggressorTM.
The non-GMO herbicide-tolerant trait AXigenTM was developed at Colorado State University’s wheat breeding program under the direction of Dr. Scott Haley and funded by the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation. The patented AXigenTM trait was successfully incorporated into elite public and private winter wheat varieties. Currently, there are two commercially available varieties, PlainsGold Incline AX and Limagrain (LCS) Fusion AX. Incline AX is a hard red winter wheat from Hatcher and Byrd parentage that yields similarly to Brawl CL Plus. It has intermediate resistance to stripe rust, is moderately resistant to wheat streak mosaic virus and has good and acceptable baking and milling quality, respectively. LCS Fusion AX is also a hard red winter wheat from Byrd and Hatcher parentage. It is susceptible to stripe rust and is intermediately resistant to wheat streak mosaic virus.
AggressorTM is an effective broad-spectrum Group 1 ACCase inhibiting herbicide with the active ingredient Quizlafop- P-Ethyl and produced by Albaugh, LLC. It also has activity on Group 2 (ALS) resistant biotypes. AggressorTM does not control broadleaf weeds. It cannot be tank-mixed with 2,4 D amine or MCPA amine. A single application of 8 to 12 fl. oz. gives an excellent control (95% – 99%) of feral rye, cheatgrass, and jointed goatgrass. AggressorTM also provides growers with crop rotation flexibility, two timing of application (fall or spring) and a wide window of application from 4-leaf to jointing growth stage in the spring. AggressorTM can be applied with nitrogen-based foliar fertilizers and Methylated seed oil (MSO), Crop Oil Concentrate (COC), and Non-Ion Surfactant (NIS) as adjuvants.
Producers using the CoAxiumTM Wheat Production System will be required to sign a stewardship agreement to protect the integrity of each component of this new technology. To ensure the success of the CoAxiumTM Wheat Production System, producers are required to use certified seed, follow outlined best management practices on product rates, crop rotations, and mechanical and cultural practices. Integrated best management practices include the sole use of AggressorTM herbicide, rotation to other crops (corn, sorghum, sunflower), use of a fallow period, rotation with other herbicide modes of action, application of glyphosate or a burn down herbicide (non-ACCase mode of action or non-Group 1 herbicide) in the fallow year to limit weed seed production, or use Clearfield wheat varieties (Brawl CL Plus, Thunder CL, Oakley CL) to reduce selection of herbicide-resistant weeds caused by repeated use.
For more information on the CoAxiumTM Wheat Production System, AXigenTM and AggressorTM visit: http://www.coaxiumwps.com/.
Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Logan and Morgan Counties cooperating. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.
