- Can I mix Galera + Fox this spring?
- Ploughed in frosted sugar beet. Do I need to worry about following crops?
- How do I use Fortress to protect against early mildew in cereals?
Many agronomists are now planning spring herbicide treatments to allow crops to reach their true potential. Crops should be checked now for the presence of weeds that reduce yield, complicate harvest or contribute to admixture penalties.
Identify which fields will benefit from treatment with Galera*
Deliver product to farm now so opportunities are not missed. The spray window is short - planning is key
Plan treatments for about 1-2 weeks after first Nitrogen
- Crop and weeds will be picking it up and starting to grow
- Good compromise between weed shading and crop competition
Applications can then be made as soon as conditions are suitable
Galera should not be applied until large variations in day/night air temperatures have passed (i.e. no frosts). Plan recommendations/field treatment order:
- If thistles and mayweeds are main target - active growth is less critical so wider application window. [Stop Press: Temperatures largely OK now for much of UK]
- If cleavers main target: need clear active growth so shortest application window. [Stop Press: Wait until conditions are suitable]
Avoid spraying stressed crops due to cold weather, rapid fluctuations in air temperature, cold soil (roots) and warm air (stem/foliage), mineral deficiencies, disease, phytotoxicity from previous agrochemical applications, plant injury, e.g. pigeons, frost
Applications should be made to a dry leaf
Galera is rainfast after a period of 6 hours drying
Control of cleavers is maximised when applications are made just before crop canopies close
Cleavers are the most aggressive broadleaved weed competitors impacting yield and as such, significantly decrease final percentage oil content. As yield robbers, mayweeds, groundsel and thistles, follow closely behind; the latter look particularly unsightly. All these weeds impact harvesting flexibility and carry potential admixture penalties.
Why Galera and not Dow Shield†?
Galera provides activity on Cleavers
Galera provides more robust control of:
- Mayweeds
- Thistles
- Groundsel
Galera provides quicker speed of control on
- Mayweeds
- Thistles
- Groundsel
To optimise performance, stable air temperatures are required of at least 6°C and rising, but preferably 8°C or higher. The warmer and more stable the conditions, the better the results are likely to be. Warm days and cold nights (high diurnal variation) are likely to give poor results, particularly against cleavers.
Another issue at this time of year can be wet leaves. Galera needs 6 hours drying time after application to a dry leaf, for best results. A breeze to dry the plants off in the morning and a planned application during the warmest part of the day is the approach most likely to give good results. That is why having the appropriate fields identified and the required amount of Galera on farm and ready to apply is so important. With the cut off of flower buds visible above the crop canopy, the opportunities to spray can be limited.
The use of Fox in oilseed rape is approved as a Specific Off Label Approval (SOLA), and hence must be applied entirely at grower's risk.
We can confirm Galera (0.35l/ha) and Fox (0.5l/ha) are physically compatible but would stress this does not imply recommendation or support for use. We have not tested it with the addition of oil.
Aside from the issues of Fox being a SOLA, we are unable to offer support for this mix for a number of additional reasons. Firstly, we understand MAUK are unwilling to support this tank mix. Secondly, the data we have on crop selectivity using this mix is based on only one unreplicated trial. Whilst we know both products are physically compatible, and in one trial caused no adverse crop effects, we feel there is insufficient data on which to support a wide scale recommendation. Thirdly, the data we have is from several years ago and we have no information on the potential effects on the wide range of oilseed rape cultivars currently grown.
Ploughed in frosted sugar beet. Do I need to worry about following crops?
IfDow Shield was applied after the end of July 2010 then the following list of spring crops should not be sown: Peas, beans and other legumes; carrots and other umbellifers; potatoes; lettuce and other compositae; glasshouse and protected crops.
Even if Dow Shield was applied before the end of July, Dow Shield residues may be present in the sugar beet which have not fully decayed. Do not plant susceptible crops if this is the case.
How do I use Fortress* to protect against early mildew in cereals?
Quinoxyfen products protect all new growth from mildew infection
Quinoxyfen prevents mildew infecting plants
Protection can last up to 8 weeks
Apply at T0 or T1
Wide range of tank mix compatibilities including nutrients and very crop safe
High-risk situations are characterised by:
Increased nutrient status of the crop (from uptake of applied nitrogen)
Increased relative humidity
Rising soil and air temperatures
Keep mildew out by putting quinoxyfen in. An application will complement any fungicide programme and ensure mildew is not a problem for at least 4 weeks, and in many cases for up to 8 weeks. In barley 0.1l/ha at T0/T1 will give about 4 weeks protection of new growth, in wheat apply at 0.15l/ha at T0/T1.
And finally - Don't forget you can mix Boxer with Atlantis
Boxer* (or other Dow AgroSciences formulation of florasulam and fluroxypyr including new introduction Spitfire*) can be applied either on its own or tank-mixed or sequenced with a wide range of ALS herbicides including Atlantis WG and other products containing mesosulfuron-methyl and iodosulfuron-methyl sodium.
Extensive trials work and several years of commercial use clearly shows there is no antagonism when Boxer is tank mixed with Atlantis WG. This tank mix has been approved by CRD (Chemicals Regulation Directorate).
Where Atlantis WG has yet to be applied then tank mix Boxer at 75 ml/ha with Atlantis WG and get:
Robust cleavers control
Added groundsel, poppy and volunteer bean activity (size dependent)
Removal of the most competitive weed early - maximise crop yield
No additional following crop or cultivation restrictions over and above Atlantis WG alone
2 key problems solved in one pass - blackgrass and cleavers
Boxer Dose Rate: 50 ml/ha + Atlantis WG - cleavers up to 100 mm high and clear growth
75 ml/ha + Atlantis WG - cleavers up to 100 mm high/across and post frosty conditions
100 ml/ha alone - cleavers up to 200mm high / across
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