Investing in brassicas
BASF are demonstrating a new herbicide for use in brassicas as well as a new herbicide formulation and a broad-spectrum fungicide, showing that they are continuing to invest in vegetable crops.
Robert Storer, Field Vegetable Product Manager for BASF, explains that at the Rijk-Zwaan demonstration site in Lincolnshire, a range of brassicas have been treated with the new low-staining Stomp Aqua formulation and a new herbicide, BUK 9900. "It has been quite a while since we have seen a new herbicide active ingredient in the vegetable brassica crop. The order of the day has been losing rather than gaining actives, but BUK 9900 offers brand new opportunities. It has been applied both pre-transplanting and post-transplanting and shows very good weed control with no crop damage. We are hoping for future approvals in head cabbage and also in onions, leeks, shallots and garlic. I’m sure Allium growers will be pleased to have a new product to use, following the string of losses in the last few years, including propachlor, chlorthal-dimethyl, chlorpropham and trifluralin. In trials BUK 9900 has shown to control a wide spectrum of weeds including problem weeds such as annual nettle.
Rob also explains that the Stomp Aqua formulation is being compared with the older EC. "Both pre and post-transplant timings show good crop safety. The Stomp Aqua formulation shows improved crop safety for vegetables and salad crops. From the farmers’ view point it also is easier to handle, being the lowest staining pendimethalin on the market. It takes less time to wash out packs and spraying equipment and, being the highest pendimethalin loaded formulation, packaging waste is reduced and storage footprint and transportation efficiency improved."
He points out that the entire site has been sprayed with Signum for the control of all important brassica diseases. "Recommended in Brussels sprouts, cabbages and cauliflowers, Signum gives excellent control of the important brassica diseases - dark leaf spot and white blister plus useful control of ringspot. Both actives in Signum, boscalid and pyraclostrobin, also have activity on powdery mildew. This broad-spectrum control makes Signum a key brassica fungicide and one already well accepted by growers and retailers alike."
Rob advises that, as both actives are strong protectants, Signum should be applied early. "The first Signum spray should be applied to brassicas as a protectant before the first signs of disease are seen at a dose rate of 1 kg/ha in water volumes of 200 litres. Further sprays can be made at 3 to 4 week intervals, alternating with products from a different resistance group."
