Blackgrass has become an easier target to control in winter oilseed rape as crop canopies have opened up following the severe frosts in many areas over the past few weeks.
"These are ideal conditions for the grassweed herbicide Kerb (propyzamide), but be aware that the latest timing for applications in oilseed rape is 31st January," advises Dow AgroSciences' Colin Bowers.
The large leaves that had previously obscured many blackgrass plants have been frosted off, or eaten by pigeons, exposing the weed plants. The combination of an open crop, but mild weather over the whole winter period, means grassweeds have continued to germinate and grow in untreated oilseed rape crops.
"Take every opportunity to compete grassweed control treatments in oilseed rape. There is no known resistance to Kerb's active ingredient propyzamide. Growers will be using alternative chemistry to that used in cereals where there are issues with resistance," says Mr Bowers.
