Maximise Annual Meadow-Grass Control
Annual meadow-grass infests over 70% of arable fields and, with the major active ingredient IPU going, alternative weed control strategies are being sought. Launched last year and based on the active ingredient flumioxazin, SumiMax is being put forward as the advanced alternative to IPU in the meadow-grass and broad-leaved weed sector and one that performs well at the traditional time when most meadow-grass treatments have been applied in the past.
"This season with the late harvest and focus on drilling, the pre-emergence window is closing to most growers and so they will be looking for effective but flexible post-emergence options. Traditionally meadow-grass and many autumn germinating broad-leaved weeds such as cleavers and chickweed have been treated post-emergence anyway and, although SumiMax can be applied pre-emergence, it works particularly well at the early post-emergence timing as trials clearly showed last year. In a series of trials conducted by independent organisations, SumiMax at 100 ml/ha gave an average of over 90% control of Annual-meadow-grass. In fact in one trial at Morley it gave 100% control of this weed, which is certainly higher and more consistent than IPU has been. I would emphasise however that the full label rate of 100 ml/ha is needed, or else weed control levels tend to fall," advises Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager for Interfarm UK Ltd.
"Growers have the option of mixing SumiMax with a range of other herbicides post-emergence to boost weed control further. For example in last years trials, adding in 0.15 l/ha of Liberator to SumiMax resulted in 100% control of Annual Meadow-grass. Adding in 2 l/ha of chlorotoluron resulted in 99% control, but you do have to watch the varieties with chlorotoluron," he says.
Dr. Stormonth points out that SumiMax itself has no variety restrictions in winter wheat. "It also has a good wide window of application up to before GS15 of the crop (5 true leaves). Its excellent residual activity will cope well with the extended weed germination this autumn and will add to its strong contact activity. "For best performance of SumiMax, weeds should be 1-3 leaves and it is important that the crop is sufficiently hardened off. The soil should be moist and conditions cool. As is the case for all post-emergence herbicides, it is best to avoid soft or lush crops, waterlogged crops or crops under stress. The use of a tank cleaner is recommended after spraying."
"SumiMax can be mixed with a range of grass-weed herbicides as well as being sequenced with any other herbicide or group. Post-emergence tank-mix options are chlorotoluron, Liberator or Lexus. It can also be mixed with Defy (prosulfocarb), trifluralin and pendimethalin-containing products but only pre-emergence. Having no following crop restrictions or following cultivation issues plus these tank-mix options makes it a flexible herbicide, easy to slot into any weed control programmes."
Annual Meadow-grass is a very widespread, troublesome weed. "Although individually it is not particularly competitive, its population rises to significant levels which will impact on crops yields and impede harvest. In a survey of 62 distributors from 21 different counties, 84% cited it as an important weed, being Number 4 in the overall rankings after cleavers, chickweed and speedwell, and 80% of them had targeted this weed when using flumioxazin last year," concludes David.
SumiMax contains 300 gms ai/litre flumioxazin formulated as a white, non-staining, easy-to-use suspension concentrate, packed in a 500 ml pack. Recommended in winter wheat, it can be used pre or post-emergence up to before GS 15 for the control of a wide range of broad-leaved weeds, including charlock, chickweed, cleavers, common field speedwell, common poppy, field pansy, fumitory, groundsel, ivy-leaved speedwell, mayweed, red deadnettle and Shepherds purse, and grass-weeds. It is recommended at 100 ml/ha in 200 litres of water, with one application per crop. It has residual and contact activity. It is compatible with a wide range of autumn products but should not be used with any adjuvants. It can be sequenced with any product including sulphonylureas, but a 14 day interval should be allowed. Flumioxazin is available as SumiMax, Digital and Guillotine.
For further comment and information, please contact Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm UK Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile) or via e-mail david.stormonth@interfarm.co.uk
