Last chance for weed control in WOSR

UK - March 17, 2005

Winter oilseed rape crops still requiring broad leaved weed control may be nearing the cut-off growth stage for final application of the herbicide Galera.

"With the warmer weather WOSR crops will move rapidly with new spring growth," says Dow AgroSciences marketing specialist Donald Westwater.  "Crops showing green buds will soon begin to extend so check your crop before applying Galera for mayweed, sow-thistle and cleavers control.

"Make sure Galera is applied onto an active target, particularly with cleavers.  They must be showing green growth rather than the blue colour associated with the recent cold snap."

Mr Westwater reminds growers that Galera cannot be applied after GS 3.5, under the Association of Applied Biologists growth stage identification key for WOSR.

Most crops are now at GS 3.1 - 3.3, when the flower buds are present and are enclosed by the leaves to when the flower buds are visible from above.  Galera can still be applied at these growth stages.

"If the crop has reached GS 3.5 when flower buds are raised above the leaf canopy it is too late," advises Mr Westwater.