Investing in research to tackle grass-weed issues

UK - August 30, 2010



Providing research-based advice on controlling grass-weeds effectively, whilst minimising risk of water pollution has become even more important this year, as the challenge of controlling grass-weeds across the rotation heightens, according to Dow AgroSciences.

"You only have to look at the many weedy wheat crops prior to harvest to appreciate the difficulties that growers have had containing and controlling grass-weeds, such as black-grass and wild-oats, this year.  Poor control can be put down to the weather, difficulties on timing and weed resistance. Yet even though our current oilseed rape crop experienced some difficult growing conditions; a dry autumn, followed by a very cold and prolonged winter and then a cold, dry spring, and few spraying opportunities, propyzamide was used over a record area as many growers recognized the need to use the oilseed rape crop to lead the relentless battle against black-grass." he says.

"As a manufacturer we are and have spent considerable resources to investigate best practise for the use of the residual herbicide, Kerb, and we will continue to provide key advice such as soil temperatures, moisture deficits and product compatibilities to ensure best practice.  There will be timely technical updates, advice on Specific-Off-Label Approvals and online topical support via the DAS web site, www.dowagro.com/uk, in-season.  The use of Kerb Flo in winter oilseed rape and winter beans in a programme can be exceptionally effective in reducing the spread of black-grass and this herbicide can offer exceptional levels of weed control.  If application conditions are right, you can expect black-grass control in the high 90's, a level that very few herbicides can attain now-a-days," says Robin.

Robin emphasises that, hand in hand with good advice on efficacy, comes good advice on mimimising the risk of water pollution.  "It is vital that everyone - farmers, advisors and manufacturer - plays their part in keeping this valuable herbicide out of water, so that its future is secure and that it can continue to be used as an essential tool in the armoury against black-grass and other grass-weeds and in resistance management."

He explains that Dow AgroSciences has been conducting wide-ranging research work on the pathways by which propyzamide can move from treated land into water courses and how different cultivation regimes and the use of buffer strips affect this movement.  "We are concluding this work now and hope to be able to provide advisers with new advice arising from these detailed investigations at Cockle Park over the coming month.  Three different establishment techniques: min-till, partial inversion and full inversion plus three different width buffer strips, were profiled and replicated in this research.  Results suggest that establishment technique can have a significant effect on reducing the movement into water, with min-till showing the best effect."

"Coupled with the earlier work conducted at the Allerton Project which looked at the relative difference of drain flow and surface run off as contamination pathways and the impact of buffer strips, we hope we can derive some field level management guidance for advisers to particularly address high risk situations and limit the movement of propyzamide in water."

"By using Kerb Flo, advisors and growers will be supporting, and benefiting, from an extensive and on-going Stewardship Programme.  Unlike the generic companies, we are actively involved in Environmental Stewardship, investing substantial sums on trials on how best to keep Kerb Flo out of water." Robin concludes.