The residual and contact-acting herbicide flumioxazin (FMX), available as SumiMax and Digital, has an off-label approval for use in winter oats, one of the few herbicides that can be used in this increasingly popular crop.
Applied at 100 ml/hectare in a minimum water volume of 200 litres per hectare, SumiMax/Digital can be sprayed pre-crop emergence in all varieties of winter oats for the control of black-grass and rye-grass and a wide range of broad-leaved weeds. At this timing it also offers good effect on annual meadow-grass.
The first winter oat crops have been drilled, but few crops have emerged as yet. FMX adds to the very limited range of herbicides that can be used in winter oats. A PPO inhibitor, it is a novel herbicide with a different mode of action, which is required in oats where weed resistance can be a problem.
Growers need to obtain a copy of the notice of approval to use SumiMax or Digital in winter oats via the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) web site, ADAS offices or NFU. The SOLA reference number for SumiMax is 3122 of 2009 and for Digital 3121 of 2009.
SumiMax/Digital contains 300 gms ai/litre flumioxazin, formulated as a white, non-staining, easy-to-use suspension concentrate, packed in a 500 ml pack. In addition to the SOLA for oats, it is also recommended in winter wheat, where unlike in winter oats, it can be used pre or post-emergence 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 Shepherd’s purse, and grass-weeds, including annual meadow-grass. It also integrates well into black-grass control programmes. It is compatible with a wide range of autumn products, but should not be mixed with any adjuvants or with pendimethalin products. It can be sequenced with any product including sulphonylureas, but a 14 day interval should be allowed. Don’t forget the use of a proprietary tank cleaner before and after spraying to thoroughly clean all spray equipment, including booms, pumps, filters and lids.
Flumioxazin is available as ®SumiMax and ®Digital, marketed by Interfarm UK Ltd through most distributors.
In the SOLA notice of approval, CRD point out that as is the case for all SOLA’s, liability lies with the user and growers are advised to test a small area of crop prior to commercial use. Accordingly, Sumitomo Chemical Company Ltd as manufacturer of flumioxazin and Interfarm as UK marketing company decline any liability in case of crop damage or efficacy enquiries.
