Growers should not relent in the battle to control grassweeds in wheat crops across southern England.

Dow AgroScience’s regional agronomy manager Tom Chillcott said that many farmers were caught out by turbulent autumn weather conditions and ran out of time to carry out their usual pre-emergence crop treatments.

That’s led to a noticeable increase in grassweed populations that need to be tackled as a priority.

Weed species vary across the south of England, with wild oats, bromes and ryegrasses the three significant problems growers have to address.

Tom said; “Attentions are now being turned to a T0 fungicide application which presents a really good opportunity for growers to tank mix a grassweed control product.”

Tom recommends Broadway® Star (pyroxsulam+florasulam) as the product of choice, adding that the product will take out wild oats, ryegrasses and bromes with the added bonus of controlling an extensive range of broad-leaved weeds.

Tom said; “Many growers are still under the impression that it is not possible to tank mix with a spring fungicide application but Dow’s products are more compatible than any of its competitors.

“Our advice is don’t hold back on tackling grassweeds now, or risk a yield penalty at harvest time.”

Broadway Star is a good choice for growers with populations of ACCase-resistant wild oats. It will step in where pinoxaden or clodinafop have failed.

It can be tank mixed with a wide range of commonly used T0 fungicides including products containing chlorothalonil.

Tom added; “If a T0 fungicide application has already been applied then tank mixing with a chlormequat plant growth regulator at half-dose is another option. Using either of these approaches can save a significant amount of time at a busy time of year.”