The best start to black-grass control

Despite a wide adoption of an integrated approach to black-grass control, the problem weed seems to have come back with a vengeance in 2019, a stark reminder of what lurks beneath within the seedbank. Through our trials that looked at both chemical and cultural measures, we are encouraging an approach which includes delayed drilling and the use of Crystal^®, to ensure a strong start to black-grass control. As has been proven this year, missed opportunity in the Autumn can lead to drastic measures later in the season, so go on with your strongest herbicide first, Crystal^®.

After cultural control practises have been utilised the final tool in the autumn armoury against black-grass is the chemical control. A pre-emergence stack followed by another residual top-up early post-em is the best approach but getting the right pre-emergence products on at the right time is the most important factor.

With a farmer tramline trial at Scarning, Norfolk last season BASF were able to highlight the following points in terms of agronomic approach to black-grass control. Delayed drilling had a big benefit in reducing the black-grass population. A robust pre-emergence stack gave better control than lighter options split in a sequence. These two measures in combination demonstrated the highest level of control at the site.

Crystal^® has proved year after year that the combination of flufenacet and pendimethalin provides the best start to your black-grass control program. The dual active benefits of both providing grassweed activity, residual performance and consistent performance in a range of conditions.

Pre-emergence black-grass trials carried out by AICC in 2018/19 highlighted the consistent performance of Crystal^® giving better control than Liberator options.

Flufenacet is renowned for its superior herbicide control, but it’s important not underestimate the power of pendimethalin, and the benefits it brings to a robust herbicide programme. The residual compound not only contributes to the management of black-grass, but it also offers strong broad-leaved weed control.

Cultural controls such as delayed drilling, spring cropping and rouging are all vital when it comes to reaching the 97% control needed to finally move the needle on black-grass. But effective pre-emergence herbicide application is still one of the most powerful tools in the box, so it’s important to use the best on the market. BASF has recorded data going back 13 years, in over 65 trials that shows that Crystal^® consistently outperforms Liberator^®.

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact your local BASF agronomy manager. Contact details can be found at north_east www.agricentre.basf.co.uk

Alternatively, call our technical hotline: 0845 602 2553

_{Crystal^® contains flufenacet and pendimethalin. Picona^® contains picolinafen and pendimethalin. Stomp^® Aqua contains pendimethalin. Liberator^® contains flufenacet and diflufenican. Hurricane^® contains diflufenican. Defy^® contains prosulfocarb.Crystal^® and Stomp^® are registered trademarks of BASF. All other products are those of other manufacturers where proprietary rights may exist.Always read the label and product information before use. For further product information including warning phrases and symbols refer to north_east https://agriculture.basf.com/gb/en}