Herbicide Injury
scouted June 5, 2026
- Scientific Name
- Herbicide Injury
- Background
- A soybean field, variety Asgrow 43XF5, in Washington County was being scouted, and it was observed that 100% of the field was affected by mottling on leaves, suspected burn from Sinister application. Beans are stunted, have no blooms, roots are long and healthy-looking, but have almost no nodules. The nodes are also stacked very close together. Tobacco ringspot virus is suspected. A sample was submitted to the PDIC for diagnosis.
- Conclusion
- The issue was identified as herbicide injury. The newly emerged leaves were puckered and distorted, with a rough, blistered appearance. In addition, the leaf tips were constricted and malformed, resulting in abnormal leaf expansion. The pattern and distribution of symptoms are consistent with exposure to a growth regulator or other herbicide that affects developing tissues. Environmental conditions, application timing, herbicide drift, or carryover may have contributed to the observed injury. In residential settings, such injury may result from herbicide drift from nearby applications, accidental overspray, sprayer contamination, or, less commonly, herbicide residues in contaminated soil, compost, or mulch.