PCT Shorts: Is Metribuzin Stunting Your Soybeans? Early-Season Injury Explained

Cold, wet springs often raise concerns about early soybean injury—and one question we hear every year is whether metribuzin is holding back or stunting young beans. In this episode of PCT Shorts, Jonah Johnson breaks down what’s really happening when soybeans show early-season stress after a metribuzin application. Learn how this long-standing Group 5 (Photosystem II) herbicide works, what injury symptoms look like, and why most soybeans grow out of it without yield loss. Key topics covered include: • What metribuzin injury looks like in soybeans • Why cold, wet conditions can increase early-season symptoms • The role of soil texture, pH, and application rate • How modern soybean genetics have improved metribuzin tolerance • Why metribuzin still plays a critical role in managing waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, and marestail Bottom line: while early leaf burn can look alarming, metribuzin remains an important tool in a strong residual herbicide program when used correctly.