Archive Article: 1997/09/20
A TWO-PRONGED approach to winter cereal weed control is adopted by DuPonts new Lexus Class herbicide for controlling blackgrass and a range of broad-leaved weeds.
Both translocated foliar and root activity is available from the combination of the new DuPont low-rate herbicide, flupyrsulfuron-methyl, and carfentrazone-ethyl from the FMC Corporation.
Contact action is particularly rapid against cleavers and speedwells, and there is residual control of later emerging weeds.
Available for use this autumn, Lexus Class can be used on winter wheat, winter oats, rye and triticale even under cold conditions in the autumn and early spring.
Its rapid breakdown when soil temperatures rise means there are no residues left to affect following crops in a normal rotation.
THE post-emergence herbicide Fusilade 250EW can now be applied safely to winter oilseed rape much later than previously allowable.
The new extension means Fusilade can be used up to before visible flower bud stage in winter rape.
Previously, a restriction on use until December 31 was in place. The herbicide controls a wide range of grass weeds, volunteer cereals and couch in oilseed rape, but does not control annual meadowgrass.
HANDLING granular chemicals is eased with a new introduction from Rhone-Poulenc for its nematicide Temik which is used in potatoes, sugar beet and carrot crops.
The Temik Surefill chemical transfer system available from this autumn allows potato growers to fill application hoppers with granules without the usual associated risks of dust and spillage.
GROUPS of growers, as well as individuals, can legally import and use supplies of agrochemicals for their own use for a one-off fee of £290 paid to the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD).
The imported products do have to meet certain criteria set out by the PSD and each grower in the importing group must fill out a separate application form.
PSD only issues approvals for parallel imports when the product is identical to a UK-approved product. Such imports can be from anywhere in the world, not just the EU.
Applications should be accompanied by an English translation of the product label and by declarations on the intended uses.
Application forms are available from the PSD at Mallard House, Kings Pool, 3 Peasholme Green, York YO1 2PX.
THE non-ploughing ECOtillage system based around the use of Monsantos glyphosate products and Simbas cultivation and drilling equipment is likely to extend from cereals into sugar beet, peas, and even potatoes.
About 200,000ha of cereals in the UK was drilled last year using minimum or no cultivation techniques, according to Monsantos Colin Stride.
In France, around two million ha went down this route, and a further 600,000ha in Germany.
More UK farmers are expected to adopt the practice this autumn in the light of falling end prices.
Monsanto, which has launched an internet web site with agronomic and technical guidance on ECOtillage (http://www.ecotillage.com), believes growers on all soil types are warming to the techniques.
A FULL list of agrochemicals with the 6m buffer zone restriction on spraying is published in the August issue of the Pesticides Register.
More than 400 products likely to be used through tractor-mounted sprayers are listed.
Direct spraying of these products should not fall within 6m of surface waters or ditches.
Issue No8 of the Pesticides Register costs £6.25 from Stationery Office bookshops or by telephone from 0171-873-9090.