MANAGING BLACKGRASS resistance should be a top priority when planning weed control strategies this season, growers have been reminded.

Blackgrass remains the number one weed to control in the arable rotation and growers should use a range of tools for its control, said Diane Heath, BASF oilseed rape product manager.

“Growers need to take a long term view across the rotation and plan their resistance management programme using all crop management tools they have.”

This includes the strategic use of active ingredients, she said, suggesting growers should aim for 100% control and treat grass weeds early.

Oilseed rape provides cereal growers with an effective opportunity to apply alternative herbicides for a range of grass weeds and volunteer cereals, she added.

Weed control at an early stage will prevent significant yield loss and help reduce the weed seed bank in the following crop, she said.

She recommended growers use Aramo (tepraloxydim) at a rate of 1litre/ha, for the control of blackgrass, as well as wild oats, sterile brome and perennial ryegrass.

“Being a ‘dim‘ herbicide, it will control blackgrass including those difficult populations with enhanced metabolism resistance.

“If blackgrass is growing actively and is at 2-3 leaves, then growers should be applying Aramo now,” she concluded.

Aramo has a cut off date in winter oilseed rape of the end of November or nine true crop leaves.