Don’t play the guessing game when it comes to ryegrass
Choose the tried and trusted option for weed control
Ryegrass is considered the number one resistant weed worldwide and can cause significant yield losses if not addressed early. Although it is widespread in South Africa, it is particularly a problem in winter rainfall regions.
Many crops that are grown under irrigation in summer rainfall regions during the autumn and winter months often also have problems with ryegrass, as for example in orchards, vineyards and in the small grain fields of the Northern Cape.
The Lolium (ryegrass) grass group originated in the same temperate regions of the world where important small grains such as wheat, barley and oats originated. The same degree of adaptability to their environment and similar growth needs (water, light and nutrients) makes strong competition between these weed and crop types inevitable where they occur in the same area, such as in small grain fields.
The big challenge for small grain producers is to be able to control weed grass species (ryegrass) that grow amongst other grass species (small grain) in a selective manner, without risk to the crop. Selective herbicides provided good ryegrass control for a long time until resistance to most of them developed over time. The "fops" (e.g. diclofop-methyl) and the "dims" (e.g. Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium) as well as the sulfonylurea (e.g. chlorsulfuron) herbicides have long offered good, selective control of ryegrass, but resistance to important herbicides in these three groups has arisen over time to a greater or lesser extent. Worldwide, ryegrass has also built up resistance to non-selective herbicides that are typically used as a pre-plant "knockout option", namely: glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium and paraquat.
Bayer’s Sakura® is particularly effective for the control of ryegrass, because it prevents and delays the emergence of ryegrass – the crop is therefore free from competition with ryegrass from an early stage and can therefore, gain a critical advantage over ryegrass and other weed species controlled by Sakura®.
The main ingredient of this residual, pre-emergence herbicide, Pyroxasulfone, is taken up mainly by the roots of the plant and to a lesser extent by culms of germinating weeds and inhibits growth in the meristematic tissue (roots and culms).
Sakura®'s success can largely be attributed to the product's ability to remain active in the soil for longer periods (longer than most pre-emergence herbicides). This herbicide remains active long enough to ensure good weed control.
However, it is important to understand how Sakura® works to ensure that you maintain the right conditions for success. Read the product label for more information on the application requirements.
Use tried and trusted products
When it comes to effectively protecting your fields from weeds, there are no shortcuts. Using tested products that deliver proven results, over generic alternatives, is important. One of the great advantages of Sakura® is its reliability. This herbicide has been a reliable choice for farmers across South Africa for many years and has already undergone various trials to ensure its quality.
With the use of any herbicide, it is important to apply the right practices to prevent and manage herbicide resistance.
Five golden rules for effective management of herbicide resistance
- Keep weed numbers on your fields as low as possible – this automatically limits the number of weed plants that offer resistance.
- Prevent weed seed production in a particular season, because dormant seeds will transfer into the soil seed bank to germinate over several seasons.
- Do not depend on a single method of weed control, whether it involves the use of herbicides or tillage practices. Weeds will adapt and become "resistant" to any single type of control over time.
- Avoid using a single type of herbicide. The herbicide programme must include herbicides with different modes of action.
- Strictly adhere to prescribed doses that appear on labels of herbicide products. Both over- and under-dosing promote the development of resistance to herbicides. Also carefully follow the instructions regarding the time of application (pre-emergence and/or post-emergence) as well as the ideal growth stage of weeds for application (spraying plants that are too large can amount to "unintended under-dosing").
Effective control against weeds is essential to give your wheat the best chance of success and to ensure an increase in yield, and with it, profitability. Make Sakura® part of your wheat spray programme today and experience the benefits it holds for your farm.
For product details and to learn more about how Sakura® works, click here or visit Contact to find your nearest Bayer representative.