The only ALS herbicides permitted for the control of cleavers and broad-leaved weeds following an application of Atlantis are amidosulfuron-based products Eagle and Chekker
“Growers should be aware that current ALS sequencing restrictions do not permit the use of other ALS cleaver materials (florasulam) after the use of Atlantis,” said Bayer CropScience product manager Tim Holt. “A programme using spring-applied Eagle or Chekker in sequence with autumn-applied Atlantis can offer excellent weed control at critical times throughout the season.”
Mr Holt also stressed that Eagle should not be pigeon-holed as a cold-weather-only treatment for cleavers – factors such as the weather and growing conditions are not as critical to Eagle performance as some growers might perceive.
“And some growers might not fully appreciate the broader spectrum of weed control provided by Eagle, which includes charlock, runch, volunteer oilseed rape, shepherd’s purse, and field forget-me-not,” he added.
Early control of cleavers is, however, one of Eagle’s strengths. “Eagle provides good kill from early spring (1 February) and into the summer (April/May). The optimum timing is typically around GS30-31 of the crop,” explains Mr Holt. “Early control is essential to avoid a yield penalty.”
The advantages of early cleaver control are well documented and Long Ashton trials data, from 1999, showed a 1.8t/ha yield penalty from delaying application until the ‘traditional’ May timing.
In addition to the financial benefits of early cleaver control, Eagle is also competitively priced. “Eagle is about 20% cheaper than alternative early treatments (florasulam) and is certainly no more expensive than waiting to apply fluroxypyr when cleavers are more advanced,” said Mr Holt.
Flexible tank mixing is another benefit of Eagle and it is particularly complementary with HBN/DFF mixtures such as Capture – a popular cornerstone for spring weed control. “It is also an appropriate partner for Ally in situations where Atlantis has not been applied and has good compatibility with early PGRs and fungicides,” he added.
