Archive Article: 1997/12/26

26 December 1997

Quick test to sort out grass weed resistance

Herbicide resistant grass weeds are demons most cereal growers want to avoid. So its good to hear of a quick test to spot problems at an early stage.

The test, which confirms the presence of resistance, could end the spurious advice pedaled by those wanting to boost sales of other herbicides.

So far 5% of the total blackgrass area in the UK is subject to resistance. That means the vast majority of growers have normal blackgrass on their land. Although they need to bear the problem of resistance in mind to prevent it developing, the last thing they need is fear-mongering advice.

Hopefully, the new test should make a devil of a job that much easier.