Syngenta Crop Protection UK Ltd
Dual Gold proves high value for weed control in maize
01/02/2010
A new pre-emergence herbicide from Syngenta will give maize growers longer-lasting residual control of key weeds that threaten crop establishment and yields. New Dual Gold has given up to four weeks additional activity against Black Nightshade and Barnyard Grass, compared to flufenocet, as well as outstanding results in Fat Hen control programmes.
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Effective residual weed control can help ensure good maize establishment free from competition
Even in difficult conditions of 2009, when dry seedbeds hindered pre-emergence treatments and rainfall in May led to a late weed flush, independent trials in Shropshire showed Dual Gold alone was still giving 100% control of Mayweed 65 days after application, for example. The combination of Dual Gold and pendimethalin achieved full control of all weeds, when Fat Hen in untreated plots had reached GS51 and created serious problems with crop competition.
Trials have also shown that four weeks after application Dual Gold (S-metolachlor) was still achieving over 80% control of Black Nightshade seedlings, a full two weeks after control with flufenocet had fallen to just 20%. With Barnyard Grass (Cockspur), Dual Gold delivered virtual complete control after four weeks and maintained over 60% control after eight weeks, when flufenocet control had declined to less than 20% at four weeks and only 5% control at eight weeks.
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Dual Gold has proven to give better, longer-lasting results than existing herbicide options, reports Nick Watson
Syngenta Maize Manager, Nick Watson, highlights Dual Gold is a significantly stronger option for grass weed control and can give longer-lasting results. For fields with a relatively low grass and annual weed pressure, or for later drilling, he advocates Dual Gold alone at an application rate of 1.4 l/ha. Where crops are being drilled early, or there is a historically high weed pressure with Black Bindweed or Fat Hen a particular problem, the combination of Dual Gold at 1.0 l/ha and pendamethalin at 2–3 l/ha gives outstanding results and a highly cost effective option.
Dual Gold has also proven extremely crop safe, with no significant effects observed when applied at up to twice recommended rates in 2009 NIAB maize variety trials. There are no following crop restrictions after use in maize.
Leicestershire farmer and contractor, Bill Wright, was one of the first to try out Dual Gold last season. He reports that the application of Dual Gold alone gave excellent long-term residual weed control on a late drilled forage maize crop. The single-product solution was also far easier than the tank mix herbicide combinations he usually uses.
“Last year we recorded some quite exceptional maize yields. But it remains imperative to keep maize weed free through establishment and until the crop can shade out any competition,” he advises. “With the spread of maize growing further north, it’s crucial that there is no check in growth from weeds that could shorten the season. Effective pre-emergence herbicides are an essential first step.”
Mr Wright works with independent BASIS agronomist, Richard Green, to provide local farmers with a complete maize package across more than 400 hectares, including seed and herbicide options where required. “If we are applying the herbicide at the same time as drilling, the long-term residual activity is a key element,” he added.
