Early removal of grass weeds essential
Early and highly effective grass-weed removal is needed this year in oilseed rape, but recommendations this year are more complex with the recently introduced PSD restrictions on ACCase inhibitor herbicides and the variable sizes of crop, says BASF.
"Black-grass dormancy levels this year are low and it has germinated early : in some cases at the same time as the first flush of volunteer cereals. In this situation Aramo is the best choice as the first spray, targeting both weeds pre-tillering. Where Black-grass germination has been later, Aramo is the best choice as the second spray, following a specific volunteer cereal treatment. Being a "dim" herbicide, Aramo remains the best choice against Black-grass where both target site and enhanced metabolism resistance is suspected. It will also control other grasses such as Wild-oats, Sterile Brome and Perennial Rye-grass," says Diane Heath, BASF Oilseed Rape Product Manager.
"The recently introduced PSD restriction of a maximum of two applications of ACCase graminicides (these must be two different active ingredients, with the second treatment targeted at a different weed target), was introduced to combat the problem of weed resistance, especially with Black-grass. So targeting the right products at the right time has become even more important."
"Damage to yield through grass weed competition takes place early in the crop's development, so it is important to apply Aramo at 1 l/ha when the Black-grass has 2-3 leaves. It is important this year to look carefully at early drilled crops and remove the Black-grass flush during October and early November," says Diane.
"Propyzamide and carbetamide are important resistance management tools, but these are best used later when there is adequate soil moisture and when soil temperatures have reduced. Aramo can be applied from cotyledon fully emerged up to before the end of November or 9 true leaves, whichever occurs first. Some very early drilled crops already have 6 or 7 leaves, so speed of action is now of the essence " warns Diane.
Aramo contains 50 g/litre (5.3% w/w) tepraloxydim, formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate and packed in a 5-litre pack. It is recommended in winter oilseed rape, winter beans, sugar beet, spring beans, carrots, brassicas and a range of other crops for the control of Black-grass, volunteer cereals and a range of other annual grass weeds, at a dose rate of 1 litre per hectare. Aramo can be applied to winter oilseed rape crop from cotyledon fully expanded up to before the end of November or when the crop has 9 true leaves, which ever occurs first. It has no LERAP restrictions.
