Cleavers

Key Points

• Cleavers are the most competitive weed in cereals 

    - 7 times more competitive than black-grass

    - 37 times more competitive than speedwells

• Cleavers seed only persists in the soil for 3 – 4 years and can therefore be managed out of the weed bank, unlike grass weeds

• Peak germination occurs in autumn/early winter, but continues until the soil dries in spring

• Cleavers only become competitive once they are above the crop canopy, GS32 onwards, by 

    - preventing light interception

    - causing crop lodging

    - causing yield loss through poor grain fill

• Control of cleavers is vital and economically justifiable

Introduction

Control Options

There are two priorities for selecting a cleavers control product: final level of control and speed of control. To prevent yield loss and minimise seed return products need to deliver a consistent 95 – 98% control, whatever the time of year, whatever the climatic conditions. After crop GS30-32, in addition to the level of control, speed of control is essential to prevent cleavers smothering the crop and competing for light. Most damage to yield and profitability is done after this stage.

The longer the control of cleavers is left after GS32 the lower will be the return, despite the fact that cleavers can still be controlled successfully from applications of Starane 2 later in the season. Late emerging cleavers, i.e. those that appear around GS32, have less impact on final yield. They are more likely to be the source of seed return.

To maximise profitability from the control of cleavers applications should be made at or around crop GS32. Apply a cleavers herbicide with the T1 fungicide program. For products to deliver the required control at the appropriate time of the season they need to have certain key attributes.

Early Season Control – February to March

• Must deliver consistent, high level of control of cleavers
• Need to be able to control slow-growing cleavers and plants affected by autumn treatments
• Must be able to work in a range of temperatures and weather conditions, especially cold and slow growing conditions
• Speed of control is not important

Products based on active ingredients such as florasulam are most effective, namely Spitfire, Starane XL or GF-184.

Spitfire mixed with ALS graminicides at rates of 0.5 L - 0.6 L/ha will help bolster cleaver control early season.

Mid Season Control – April

• Must deliver consistent, high level of control of cleavers
• Need to be able to control slow-growing and fast-growing cleavers
• Must be able to work in a range of temperatures and weather conditions, especially fluctuating diurnal conditions with high daytime temperatures and low night temperatures
• Speed of control is important

Use products based on a combination of active ingredients, florasulam and fluroxypyr, to give rapid and consistent control under fluctuating conditions, such as Spitfire*, Starane* XL, GF-184, Hiker*, Starane Gold or Starane Vantage.

Late Season Control – May onwards

• Must deliver consistent, high level of control of cleavers
• Need to be able to control fast-growing cleavers
• Low and/or fluctuating temperatures are not normally an issue
• Speed of control is essential

Use products containing fluroxypyr to give rapid and consistent control under fast growing conditions, such as Spitfire, Starane XL, GF-184, Hiker, Starane Gold, Starane Vantage or Starane 2.

Click on the thumbnails on the right to visit the product pages for more comprehensive information about these products.