A new herbicide could minimise any check in establishing leeks and onions, according to new trials.
Independent advisor, David Norman of Fresh Produce Consultancy has made the findings about Defy, a post-emergence application.
Defy is now available under a SOLA for broad spectrum weed control in onions and leeks. “There has been very little that can be used with confidence at the early peri-emergence stage, when the onion leaf is still crooked over,” according to Norman. “Our trials have revealed no crop damage with any of the Defy applications, and it therefore makes sense to use Defy when crop safety is of paramount concern.”
Norman advised growers to use Defy at the very early post-emergence - or peri-emergence - stage, when control of competition is extremely important.
“More aggressive herbicides can be used to clean up late emerging weeds once the crop is strongly established,” he said, adding that a follow-up ioxynil treatment has worked effectively in the trials.
Although in some instances straight Defy may suffice at the peri-emergence stage, more often mixtures are likely to be required to get complete spectrum of weed control, according to Norman. “But the rates of partner products can often be significantly reduced, so there is less issue of crop damage to contend with.”
The Defy SOLA permits applications of up to 4.0 l/ha per crop, applied in one spray or split into two or more applications, in mixtures with other herbicides.
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