Tank-mix helps winter cereal growers to get on top of costly weeds

UK - April 13, 2010



Variable levels of broad-leaved weed control from pre-emergence herbicides during the autumn have made it critical for winter cereal growers to control yield-sapping weeds effectively this spring, according to Dow AgroSciences. Stuart Jackson, the company's Customer Agronomist, states:

"Dry seedbeds during the autumn reduced the effectiveness of pre-emergence herbicides and delayed black-grass emergence, reducing the opportunity to apply the broad spectrum grass weed herbicide Atlantis WG (mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron). Cleavers and other broad-leaved weeds are likely to have fared well since then and could pose a significant threat this spring. Cleavers is by far the most competitive weed in cereals and growers must make it a priority to take them out early to prevent significant yield losses later in the season.

"Our research demonstrates, quite clearly, that adopting this strategy can boost yield by more than two tonnes per hectare compared with later treatment, a benefit worth over £200 per hectare even at current grain prices. However, there is still a mindset among some growers to leave cleavers control until late in the season when it is warm enough for fluroxypyr-based products such as Starane 2 to work quickly and reliably.

"Whilst this approach will control the cleavers it will not replace the yield potential lost during that period, effectively costing growers more in terms of lost grain than any perceived chemical cost savings. With forecasters predicting an economically-tough year ahead for farming it will be critical to take full advantage of every opportunity to optimise production.

"Growers applying Atlantis WG this spring should therefore seriously consider adding Boxer (florasulam) at a rate of 50 ml/ha where there are clear signs of active cleavers growth and 75ml/ha in all other situations. Including Boxer at these levels is extremely cost-effective and doesn't complicate the tank mix, which is fully approved by the CRD with no additional restrictions in terms of the following crop, beyond those which apply to Atlantis.

"Cleavers really start to compete with the crop from GS32 onwards and from then on we really see yield beginning to drop off if left untreated to the later timing, making it critical to hit them hard and early."

More information on Boxer is available at www.dowagro.com/uk