Delays in oilseed rape planting, caused by wet conditions or short availability of land after a later harvest, could result in the slow establishment of crops this season, warns Syngenta Field Technical Manager, James Southgate.
Crops cannot afford any further check in growth from volunteer cereal or grass weed competition, he pointed out. The problem could be further exacerbated where laid or late harvested cereal crops had shed grain in the difficult harvest conditions.
“Shading and competition for light from volunteer cereals will have the greatest impact in the early days of oilseed rape establishment,” he said. “As growing conditions decline with shorter days and cold nights, it becomes more serious.
“A timely application of Fusilade Max can quickly knockout the competition and allow the oilseed rape to develop faster,” he advised. “Strong growth will reduce potential threats from Flea beetle damage, as well as pigeons and other pests or diseases going into the winter.”
The rapid uptake and action of Fusilade Max makes it rainfast in just one hour, which makes it particularly valuable in a wet autumn. It is also easy to use, with no added wetter required. The crop safe action enables application from expanded cotyledon stage, and ensures unchecked oilseed rape seedling growth.
Trials have shown just 20 volunteers per m2 can reduce oilseed rape yields by 150kg/ha, with more severe instances of 150 per m2 capable of halving crop yields.
James advocated application of Fusilade Max with the new Syngenta Defy 3-D Nozzle, which will ensure better coverage of small volunteer and grass weed seedlings. For optimum results, Syngenta application trials have shown angled nozzles should be alternated to face forwards and backwards along the spray boom.
