Extra weapon in grassweed fight
Extra weapon in grassweed fight
TEPRALOXYDIM, a new herbicide from BASF, offers growers a new tool to tackle blackgrass and couch in broad-leaved crops.
It could be particularly useful for growers battling with resistance. "Target-site resistant blackgrass normally has very high resistance to all fops and dims. But tepraloxydim is much more active," says IACR-Rothamsteds Stephen Moss.
Outdoor container work at the Herts research station showed efficacy was only slightly cut by target-site resistance, with over 83% control on all populations of blackgrass, regardless of resistance mechanism.
But growers are urged to exercise caution when exploiting this benefit. "Growers shouldnt come to rely on it as a complete solution," says Dr Moss.
BASF product manager Andrew Jones agrees. "We are not saying it is an anti-resistant strategy. It is dim chemistry and growers should not rely on one mode of action."
Approval for use in sugar beet, peas, beans and winter oilseed rape is expected for spring 2001. Price will be pitched to compete in the oilseed rape cereal volunteer market.
All main annual grassweeds are controlled, with a 0.8-1 litre/ha rate recommended for most, rising to 1.5 litres/ha for annual meadow grass and 2 litres/ha for couch control.