New trials work from the Scottish Agricultural Colleges has demonstrated the added benefit of the soil adjuvant BackRow when used with the pre-emergence potato herbicides Defy (prosulfocarb), Sencorex (metribuzin) and linuron.
"With most potatoes treated pre-emergence, it is a key opportunity to ensure that weed competition is removed early and to a high level, so that the crop can emerge unhindered and grow vigorously early on the season," explains Alan East, Technical Manager for Interagro UK.
The replicated trials conducted independently by SAC show that BackRow enhanced the performance of several pre-emergence herbicide mixtures, with no problems of crop safety. The addition of BackRow to 3 litres/ha of Defy plus 1 litre/ha of linuron improved the control of volunteer oilseed rape from 67% to 93%, Black Bindweed from 30% to 67%, Field Speedwell from 67% to 100% and Charlock from 67% to 100%. Similarly when BackRow was added to 4 litres/ha of Defy plus 0.5 kg/ha of Sencorex, it lifted the level of control of volunteer oilseed rape from 62% to 97%, Fool's Parsley from 67% to 100%, Field Speedwell from 67% to 100% and Charlock from 67% to 100%. "Although all herbicides benefited from BackRow, there was a more of a benefit with linuron than Sencorex, probably because linuron is more soluble than Sencorex," says Alan.
"Based on a unique complex blend of non-ionic surfactants, emulsifiers, sticking agents and specialist oils, BackRow has been designed to optimise coverage and deposition of herbicides onto the soil surface," he explains.
"Its use ensures that its partner residual herbicide is uniformly distributed over the
soil surface and is kept within the upper soil profile where the weeds are most active.
It binds the herbicide firmly onto soil particles, reducing the risk of leaching and increasing herbicide persistency."
BackRow also reduces the number of fine spray droplets below 100 microns, and so minimises drift and ensures an improved spray pattern. "In essence BackRow keeps the herbicide where it is meant to be, improves its targeting and enhances its overall performance," he says.
"BackRow works best with partner herbicides that act through shoots and roots and also when weeds have not yet emerged. In the spring it should be applied at a dose rate of 400 ml/ha, irrespective of water volumes. It should not be used with contact herbicides or on very light soils such as coarse sands, sand, fine sand or loamy coarse sand. It works well on light, medium or heavy soils," says Alan East.
BackRow is approved for use in potatoes as well as cereals, oilseed rape, maize, peas, beans and sugar beet. When mixing, the spray tank should be half-filled with clean water and agitation started. The recommended quantity of BackRow is added. The recommended quantity of the partner crop protection chemical and the remaining balance of water are then added, whilst agitation is maintained throughout. BackRow is particularly effective at low water volumes.
For further details please contact Alan East, Technical Manager, Interagro on 01376 552703 or 07775 696268 (mobile).