Thistles threaten sugar beet yield

UK - June 23, 2008

Thistles cannot be ignored if growers want to maximize sugar beet yields, warns Dow AgroSciences.

“Thistles are not just unsightly weeds, they also pose a serious threat to sugar beet yields,” warns Rene Pollak, Dow AgroSciences’ broad-leaved crop specialist.  “With a target yield of 70 tonne a hectare every weed matters. Just one thistle stem per square metre can cut beet yields by a tonne per hectare.”

For best results, thistles need two applications of Dow Shield (clopyralid). The first dose of 0.5 l/ha at the rosette stage should be followed by a second 1 l/ha treatment 4 weeks later. 

In addition to removing the thistle menace, Dow Shield will control volunteer potatoes, mayweeds, black-bindweed, groundsel and dandelions.

 

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