Pesticide manufacturer Rotam has issued full guidance on best use of its products in a compressed spring. CPM takes a look.

By Tom Allen-Stevens

As spring spraying finally gets underway, growers have been urged to ensure they know what they’re mixing in the spray tank and are clear on sequences.

The protracted winter has compressed spraying opportunities, and that’s raised concerns for how spring-applied sulfonylurea herbicides in particular are used.

Late start

“We’re now heading into a late start to the season and that means we’re going into the realms of complicated tank-mixing,” notes Rotam’s Chris Pye.

“The rules surrounding the use of SUs are complicated in relation to the use of other ALS chemistry either in tank-mix or sequencing, and subsequent following crops. You should always check the labels.

“Rotam has a good history of our chemistry going into complicated tank mixes. Our SUs offer excellent broadleaf weed control, quality formulation and tank-mix flexibility, and they’re value for money,” he adds.

All the tank-mixing and sequencing information for Rotam products is now available through the company’s website.

As well as product labels, there are downloadable summaries detailing the tank-mix compatibility and sequencing information.

Cleavers (left) and fat hen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rotam’s Dan Macdonald explains that growers should keep to a robust rate where application conditions are not optimal.

“In tricky conditions, if you reduce the rate down to 60% for instance, the control is reduced.

“This can lead to people thinking they have resistance issues where it is really an issue with rate and the conditions.”

Weeds should also be actively growing, and some weeds require a higher temperature that others to get going in the spring.

“Chickweed and cleavers have a similar TBase to that of wheat – 0°C to 3°C. For fat hen it’s more like 6°C,” he adds.

And for best results, products should be added to the tank in the right order – more detail on this, and on the Rotam product range can be found on the Rotam website.

All the product and tank-mixing information is also available through the Rotam app, which is available to download for iOS and Android smart phones. Search for ‘Rotam UK’ on Google Play or Apple App Store.