Spring wheat weed control boosted by new approval  

Dr Alex Nichols.

Spring wheat growers have a new weed killer at their disposal this season after Dow AgroSciences secured approval for Broadway Star to be used in the crop.

A co-formulation of the company’s long-standing actives pyroxsulam and florasulam, the product has been a cornerstone of spray programmes in winter cereals.

Now spring growers have a new option in the fight against yield-robbing broad-leaved weeds such as poppy, cleavers, brassica weeds, cranesbill, groundsel, speedwells and pansy.

Importantly, the product also delivers activity on spring germinating wild oats.

Dr Alex Nichols, cereal herbicide product manager, said; “Spring wheat has become a vital crop for growers who are trying to get on top of blackgrass and 85,000ha were planted in 2017 – nearly triple what went in the ground in the previous season.

“They need a simplified and cost effective approach to weed control and now have the option of using one product to control the main yield robbers.”

 The approval has come in time for applications from 1 March to 31 May from growth stages 21 to 32.

 The maximum application rate is 200g/ha in spring wheat and it is safe on all varieties, regardless of when they were sown.

“For optimum results growers should follow the basic principles of ALS chemistry by waiting for weeds to display active growth before treatment,” Dr Nichols added.

 “An adjuvant must be used and applications should be made using a fine to medium spray quality.”