Best use advice for Galera in Winter Oilseed Rape

Galera® is a systemic herbicide suitable for use on all winter oilseed rape types including all hybrid varieties and gives superb control of the most significant and yield damaging broad-leaved weeds, including cleavers and sow thistles – often common in oilseed rape crops.

 

It is during spring when you will see the best control of cleavers through using Galera at its full rate of 0.35 L/ha.  The best results will be achieved on actively growing weeds and cleavers which are 150mm or less.   When used in the spring at full rate, you can expect to see 80% control. Galera also offers brilliant control of both creeping and smooth sow thistles which are not only unsightly in a rape crop but are also a nuisance when it comes to harvesting.

Galera is particulary useful in a spring where crops are small and backward coming out of the winter and there is space inbetween plants for weeds such as cleavers and thistles to establish.


Susceptible Weeds

Dow AgroSciences claim control of cleavers and mayweeds on the Galera label but the formulation will also have good activity on a larger range of weeds not specified on the label.  Please refer to the table below.

 

Weed Susceptibility Size Weed Susceptibility Size
Black Nightshade

S

 Up to 4 etl Fumitory

S

 Up to 4 etl
Black bindweed

S

 Up to 4 etl Groundsel

S

 Up to 6 etl
Cleavers*

MS

 150 mm Redshank

S

 Up to 4 etl
Coltsfoot

S

 Up to 4 etl Scented mayweed

S

 150 mm
Cornflower

S

 Up to 4 etl Scentless mayweed

S

 150 mm
Creeping thistle

S

 50 mm Sow-thistle

S

 50 mm
Fool's parsley

S

 Up to 4 etl Volunteer sugar beet

S

 Up to 4 etl

KEY: bold - label weeds, etl - established true leaves; S - Susceptible, MS - Moderately Susceptible
*Cleavers which germinate after application will not be controlled

Spray Quality and Application

Applications of Galera can be made from the 4 leaf stage of the crop onwards, but prior to crop canopy closure and before the flower buds become visible.   During this period the crop may gain significantly more vigour and so timing becomes more crucial.  Any applications made beyond this time can result in twisting and distortion of the plant and could ultimately have an adverse effect on pod and seed set.  Again, the best results will be achieved when the weeds are small and are actively growing.

Use a spray nozzle that gives a medium spray droplet size as defined by the BCPC to give good coverage on susceptible weeds.  A conventional flat fan nozzle is ideal!

Apply Galera  in 200 litres of water per hectare.

Galera requires 6 hours to become rainfast so it is important that applications are made in suitable weather conditions.


Tank Mixing

Galera is compatible with a number of other pesticides.  Click here to download our full listing of Galara tank mix partners.

Following Crops

There are few restrictions on the crops that may be sown following the treatment of Galera.   Cereals can be sown in the autumn following treatment.  Ploughing or through cultivation should be carried out prior to planting leguminous crops in the following calendar year.  If treated crop remains have not fully decayed by the time of planting following crops then avoid planting: peas, beans and other legumes; carrots and umbellifers; potatoes; lettuce and other compositae; glasshouse and protected crops.

FAQs

  • Will Galera control Chickweed?
    No
  • Will Galera control Thistles?
    Yes.  Trials have show that Galera can give superb control  of both seedling Creeping and Sow Thistles
  • Will Galera control either Poppy or Shepherd’s Purse?
    No
  • When is the cut-off for Galera?
    Before the flower buds become visible above the crop canopy.
  • Can I tank mix with Fox?
    Although Galera is physically compatible with Fox, Dow AgroSciences do not support this as a tank mix.