Check timing for Galera* for best results

UK - February 08, 2005

Growers should understand the herbicide and the biology of the weed before spraying Galera advises Dow AgroSciences.

Rene Pollak, company agronomist for Dow AgroSciences, is recommending oilseed rape growers wait until cleavers are actively growing and then spray Galera to get the best control.

The new broad-leaved weed herbicide, containing clopyralid and picloram, is flexible in its timing, but Mr Pollak wants growers to understand the criteria behind its correct use to get the best results.

"The three main criteria in Galera's correct application timing are temperature, cleavers growth, and the crop canopy," explains Mr Pollak. "Once there is new growth on the cleavers they are far more susceptible to Galera than when they are in a hardened winter phase."

Spray uptake is better if temperatures have been above 5 ºC for at least three days and it is likely to continue for a few more days. Above 5 ºC and uptake improves rapidly.

With thin and open crops, spray penetration will not be a problem. But, in thick crops, Galera should be applied before new spring crop growth prevents adequate spray penetration.

And Galera should not be applied once the first crop flower buds are visible above the oilseed rape crop.

"The Met Office says that this January's weather is a record. It's the mildest January since records began," says Mr Pollak. "In southern and central UK areas cleavers are large, but also much softer than usual from slow winter growth. So, where cleavers are not winter hardened and there are the first signs of crop growth start applying Galera at 0.35 l/ha, which will also provide good control of thistles and mayweeds."

"If frosts are forecast don't spray, and wait for at least three days after the weather becomes milder again before starting again," says Mr Pollak.