Bayer has introduced a new herbicide to help replace linuron in potato, carrot and parsnip crops. CPM reports.
Linuron was withdrawn from sale in Jun 2017 and growers had until Jun 2018 to dispose of any remaining stocks, leaving a gap in weed control programmes. But the approval of Emerger (aclonifen) means there is now a new alternative.
“Emerger is a consistent performer against a wide range of weeds and will become a key herbicide for the potato crop,” says Bayer’s Edward Hagues.
“In trials it has shown high levels of activity against nettles, polygonums, brassica weeds (charlock, runch, volunteer oilseed rape and shepherd’s purse), Chenopodium weeds (fat hen and orache) and made a good contribution on grass weeds.”
Containing 600g/l of aclonifen in a suspension concentrate Emerger is authorised for one pre-emergence application at a maximum individual dose of 1.75 l/ha.
Mix for robust activity
Used in a mix with 2kg/ha of Artist (flufenacet + metribuzin) it offers a robust programme for pre-em weed control, bleaching and killing off young shoot tissue.
“The active substance is absorbed strongly onto soil particles and has very low water solubility, making it virtually immobile in soil and therefore very low risk to groundwater. Residual activity is usually two to three months,” explains Edward.
“Uptake is by shoots not roots. As the weed emerges its hypocotyl (broadleaf weeds) or coleoptile (grasses) picks up the herbicide as it grows through the product film on the soil surface. This means it needs to be applied uniformly to an even, friable seedbed to form a consistent film.”
An Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) has been granted for Emerger in carrots and parsnips, with further EAMUs in onions, garlic, shallots, some herb crops and sunflower anticipated imminently.
