Agronomic Information

Herculex® I Insect Protection, Herculex RW Rootworm Protection and Herculex XTRA are available in elite corn hybrids. The full-plant, full-season insect protection that the Herculex Insect Protection family of traits provides helps ensure these high-powered hybrids reach their maximum yield potential. Yet, hybrids protected by Herculex® I Insect Protection, Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA require no special agronomic practices, beyond how you typically plant and manage an elite corn hybrid.


Planting Date
All corn is vulnerable to insect pests throughout the growing season. However, early planted corn is more susceptible to first generation corn borer and black cutworm. Late-planted corn is more severely damaged by second generation European corn borer, Southwestern corn borer, fall armyworm and corn earworm. Plus, corn rootworm is present throughout the growing season. Full-season, broad-spectrum insect protection with Herculex I, Herculex RW and Herculex® XTRA Insect Protection helps limit damage and stress from insect pests and help hybrids reach their full genetic potential, regardless of planting date.

Liberty Link

Moisture
The only hybrid characteristic that may be affected by Herculex is moisture. Because of the protection Herculex provides against damaging insects, hybrids containing Herculex have a tendency toward increased plant health. This may lead to an increase in moisture over conventional hybrids by 1/2 to 1 point.

 

Herbicide Tolerance
Hybrids containing Herculex are tolerant to over-the-top appilcations of LIBERTY® herbicide. LIBERTY is a post-emergence herbicide offering broad-spectrum, systemic, non-selective weed control in corn. Your options remain open with Herculex® Insect Protection. You can use LIBERTY or stick with your conventional weed control program.

Several seed companies offering Herculex are participating in an online hybrid search tool.  In addition for searching for seed companies and their Herculex hybrids, this tool also allows you to search for LibertyLink® hybrids that do not contain Herculex. These hybrids offer an excellent option when planting your Insect Resistance Management refuge within the same field as your Herculex hybrids.  You'll be able to spray the entire field with LIBERTY herbicide and conveniently control weeds while managing herbicide resistance issues in rotation with glyphosate-tolerant soybeans.