Why DiFlexx® Safened Dicamba Herbicide Is the Smarter Choice Over Unsafened Dicamba in Corn

Dicamba is a proven and versatile tool for broadleaf weed control as part of a comprehensive corn weed‑management strategy for commercial corn growers. However, not all dicamba formulations are equal when it comes to crop safety. Research and on‑farm experience consistently show that safened dicamba products like DiFlexx^® herbicide provide greater crop tolerance, flexibility, and yield protection compared to unsafened dicamba formulations.

What is the Role of a Corn Herbicide Safener?

DiFlexx^® herbicide contains a safener, cyprosulfamide, a Crop Safety Innovation (CSI™) Safener technology. This safener enables corn plants to withstand herbicidal activity and can lead to increased root growth and plant health.

What advantages does DiFlexx^® dicamba herbicide potentially have compared to an unsafened dicamba herbicide on greensnap?

Research conducted in 2020 at Bayer’s Gothenburg Learning Center at Gothenburg, Nebraska measured the percent (%) greensnap in corn after 16 fl oz/acre applications of an unsafened dicamba formulation, Sterling Blue^® herbicide, a safened DiFlexx^® herbicide, and an untreated check.

Averaged across the corn products in the study, the percent greensnap measured in corn treated with the safened DiFlexx^® herbicide was less than half that measured in corn treated with the unsafened product (6.1% vs 13.8%, respectively). The range of greensnap for the treated corn products was 2.4% to 12.4% for safened DiFlexx^® herbicide, 2.4% to 22.4% for the unsafened dicamba herbicide product, and 1.3% to 16.1% for the non-treated products.¹

A 2025 Bayer research trial conducted at locations in Illinois (3), Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska (3), New York, and Wisconsin (2) compared the effects of V4 growth stage applications of unsafened Clarity^® Herbicide at application rates of 8 and 12 fl oz/acre to safened DiFlexx^® herbicide at application rates of 8, 12, and 16 fl oz/acre.² In this trial, safened DiFlexx^® herbicide consistently showed lower crop response compared to the unsafened dicamba herbicide, Clarity^® Herbicide, even at higher label rates (Figures 1, 2, and 3).

What are the application rates and timing for post-emergent use of DiFlexx^® herbicide in corn?

DiFlexx^® herbicide has a wide application window and can be applied in corn from pre-emergence to postemergence through the V10 corn growth stage (10 leaf collars) or 36 inches tall, whichever occurs first. Labeled application rates for corn range from 6 to 16 fl oz/acre dependent on soil organic matter, weed growth stage, and weed herbicide resistance. Post-emergent broadcast applications should be made when the weeds are small and actively growing (one to three inches tall) as smaller weeds are generally more easily managed than larger weeds. Prior to application, the selectivity of DiFlexx^® herbicide on corn products should be verified with the seed corn supplier.³

Application rates for use in corn are limited to no more than 16 fl oz/acre per application, while the maximum amount per growing season is 24 fl oz/acre. Only two applications can be made to corn per growing season and must be separated by two weeks or more.

DiFlexx^® Safened Dicamba Herbicide Provides Corn Fields With:

• Potential for reduced greensnap and lodging risk compared to unsafened dicamba.
• Application flexibility compared to unsafened dicamba.
• Can be used on any soil for greater crop compatibility and can be applied from burndown to V10 stage of corn growth.
• Extremely fast and highly effective control of tough to control broadleaf weeds. Provides outstanding control of emerged labeled weeds.
• For all applications of this product, we strongly recommend the inclusion of an approved VaporGrip^® Xtra Agent product in the tank mix.

Sources

¹2020. Bayer Internal Trial [Unpublished]
²2025. Bayer Internal Trial [Unpublished]
³DiFlexx® herbicide label. EPA Reg. No. 264-1173. Bayer Crop Science. https://cs-assets.bayer.com/is/content/bayer/DiFlexx1v_Labelpdf
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