Wait for warm up before tackling broad-leaved weeds in oilseed rape

UK - February 19, 2008

Wait for the frosts to end and temperatures to warm up, before applying herbicides to tackle cleavers, mayweed and other broad-leaved weeds in oilseed rape warns Dow AgroSciences. 

Dow AgroScience’s broad-leaved herbicide for oilseed rape - Galera (clopyralid and picloram) – has a relatively narrow application window in spring. It needs to be applied before green buds appear above the crop canopy. However, for effective results against key weeds such as cleavers, mayweeds and thistles, weather conditions need to be right.  

“Cold nights and warm days will give poor results, particularly against cleavers,” warns  Rene Pollak, broad-leaved crops specialist at Dow AgroSciences.  “The warmer and more even the temperature, the better Galera will perform. Ideally air temperatures need to be fairly stable - at least 60°C, preferably 80°C.”  

Galera should be applied at 0.35 L/ha in 200 litres of water using a medium quality spray. Applications can be made until the green buds start to show above the crop, but cannot be applied after GS 3.5.