Spring wheat growers now have another tool to use against blackgrass and other weeds, following the recommendation of Avadex Excel 15G for use in the crop. CPM reports.

 

Gowan Crop Protection’s triallate product, Avadex Excel 15G, is now recommended for use in spring wheat, helping growers tackle blackgrass and other weed issues.

 

Already registered for use in winter wheat, winter and spring barley, the new label recommendation is set to provide an additional tool in the armoury for growers who have switched to spring cropping in order to tackle the weed robbing weed, blackgrass.

 

Applied pre-emergence, the granular herbicide promises to add to the control of all major grass weeds including ryegrass, wild oats and brome species, as well as blackgrass.

 

Switching to spring cropping

 

With more growers than ever before including spring cropping in arable rotations, and herbicide resistance becoming an increasing challenge, additional weed protection is vital, says Kuldip Mudhar, development manager at Gowan (UK & Ireland).

 

“In 2015, 659,000ha of spring barley was grown, but by 2018 this had increased to 762,000ha.” Spring barley now makes up 66% of all barley grown in the UK.

 

Spring wheat has also been increasing in area and is estimated to reach around 100,000ha this year, largely on the back of more favourable varieties coming onto the market. “Spring wheat can be drilled from November through to April,” says Kuldip.

 

“Using the strategy of growing spring crops will reduce blackgrass by missing its main autumn germinating period. Therefore, it is possible to create good stale seedbeds with less grass weed burden.”

 

Mode of action

 

Avadex contains triallate, introducing a different mode of action than commonly used in grass weed products. This is essential to protect existing chemistry while also maximising levels of weed control, he adds.

 

Avadex granules will also control meadow grasses and give some useful control of broad-leaved weeds like speedwell, red dead-nettle, forget-me-knot, poppy, mayweed, cleavers, pansy, chickweed and charlock.

 

For best use, Kuldip recommends using Avadex as part of an integrated herbicide programme, as well as calibrating the applicator before use.

 

“It’s also important to always apply at the recommended rate of 15kg/hectare to a moist consolidated seed bed, and regularly check applicator pipework and deflector plates to maintain an even spread pattern across the boom.”