Inside the New Era of Residual Weed Control

Managing weeds in corn can be complex, with farmers facing resistance challenges, unpredictable weather and the constant threat of escapes. To overcome these challenges, a comprehensive weed control program needs to combine several key factors:

• A unique combination of chemistries with multiple modes and sites of action to manage tough weeds
• Long-lasting residual activity to prevent weed escapes after the initial application and keep rows clean until canopy
• Flexibility in application timing, knowing that early season rains or in-season changes to herbicide programs can happen 

Surtain^® herbicide by BASF simplifies weed control, with all of these characteristics in one product. 

“The power of Surtain herbicide really comes from these three things,” says Josh Putman, BASF Corn Herbicides Technical Marketing Manager. “It brings a unique chemistry combination with multiple modes of action, residual endurance and application flexibility through a multi-use pattern.”

Surtain herbicide helps control or suppress 79 broadleaf and grass weeds, with a convenient premix of Group 14 and Group 15 chemistry. This powerful combination provides outstanding control on weeds and grasses proven resistant to ALS-inhibitors, glyphosate, ACCase and triazines. 

“Surtain herbicide has also proven to be particularly effective on pigweed species,” says Putman.

Surtain herbicide offers powerful residual activity for up to eight weeks of broad-spectrum control, up to two weeks longer than other Group 15 herbicides. 

“It’s important to overlap residual chemistries to keep weeds under control,” says Putman. “The best time to manage weeds is before they emerge, and consistent residual activity doesn’t give weeds a chance to get started.”

Surtain herbicide brings flexible application timing from pre- through early post-application. The only post-applied PPO in corn, Surtain herbicide stays active to keep weeds in check for longer. 

“The Group 14 active ingredient in Surtain herbicide is solid encapsulated, which allows us to use a PPO-inhibiting herbicide pre all the way up to V3 post without injuring the corn,” says Putman. This solid encapsulation technology is a first-of-its-kind formulation that protects the active ingredient in a solid form until water hits the chemical and activates it. This allows Surtain herbicide to be activated by rain or irrigation water, allowing for full availability of its active ingredients.

Putman recommends a two-pass program in corn, with a smart pre-emerge application early, followed by a powerful post application. 

“My recommended program would be Surtain herbicide at 14 ounces followed by a post application of Status® herbicide with Zidua® SC herbicide, plus glyphosate and the appropriate adjuvants,” says Putman. 

Head into 2026 equipped with the right weed control tools to help you fight back against tough-to-manage weeds. Talk to your local retailer or BASF representative to learn more about Surtain herbicide.

_{Always read and follow label directions. Surtain, Status and Zidua are registered trademarks of BASF. ©2026 BASF Agricultural Solutions US LLC. All Rights Reserved.}