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News & Press Releases Be on your guard for major weed threat after ‘coldest winter’ London, UK, March 1, 2010 - Following one of the coldest winters for many years, growers are being warned to expect a high broad-leaved weed burden in their crops this spring, and use of flexible herbicide programmes will be key for their control. This is not a normal season, claims Graham Dickinson, of agrochemical manufacturer Rotam UK. “Lower than average temperatures this winter, in addition to variable success with last autumn’s weed control, will potentially combine to create a greater weed burden than normal this spring,” he stresses. As a consequence of the long, cold spell this winter, Mr Dickinson says that spring weed germination and plant growth will accelerate rapidly when soil temperatures warm up sufficiently, following widespread vernalisation of the seed bank over the winter. “Crops are also more open as a result of so many frosts, which will allow more light in with less crop competition once active weed growth begins,” he suggests. “There will certainly be more weeds in the fields now, and more spring germinating polygonums ready to come up,” he adds. Mixed success with autumn herbicide programmes may also play their part in an increased threat from weeds this spring, he points out. “Pre-emergence residuals went on in the autumn, some performing well in good seedbeds but others, where it was very dry, have not performed so well,” he highlights. “The wet weather then came in suddenly and many post-emergence holding sprays were missed completely, and nothing else has been applied since. This could lead to large and variable flushes of weeds appearing in the coming weeks,” explains Mr Dickinson. He advises growers not to rush ahead with their weed control programmes while soil temperatures remain low, inhibiting active weed growth. However, when the weeds do start to grow, product efficacy and flexibility in timing will be key. “Rotam’s sulfonylurea herbicides Savvy (metsulfuron) and Ergon (metsulfuron + thifensulfuron) offer growers a wide spectrum of broad-leaved weed control in cereal crops from 3-leaves through to growth stage 39 (flag-leaf fully emerged),” he says. “As well as a very wide and crop-safe application window for targeting weed growth, Savvy and Ergon have good tank mixing compatibilities with PGRs and fungicides, adding to their flexibility and ease of use particularly during March and April timings.” Importantly, both can be sequenced with Atlantis/Pacifica (mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron)-type products, boosting overall grass and broad-leaved control this spring, he adds. “Make no mistake,” sums up Mr Dickinson. “The UK has just experienced its coldest winter for at least 15 years and it’s not something that growers have been used to. “As a result, be vigilant with weed control this spring,” he warns. ENDS
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