Bayer’s Emerger gains minor-use approval to support DeCyst trap crops
Produce Solutions agronomists at Greenvale, with support from Bayer, have been granted the first minor use of a plant protection product to support the range of DeCyst trap crops for management of PCN.
Greenvale explained that weed control is essential in PCN trap crops for good establishment, but no herbicides have previously been approved for this purpose. Following a series of trials, Bayer’s Emerger (Aclonifen) was found to be crop-safe and efficacious.
Historically, DeCyst growers have relied on a ‘stale-seedbed’ approach for weed control, the company noted. This technique involves preparing the seedbed weeks in advance of drilling.
A flush of weeds is then allowed to emerge, before being sprayed with herbicide. As this approach can sometimes encourage another flush of weeds to grow, having the authorisation to use Emerger will greatly assist farmers and growers with the establishment of a good DeCyst trap crop, it added.
Richard Griffith, senior trials agronomist with Greenvale’s Produce Solutions team, said: “Approval of Emerger will make a significant contribution to the ability of our growers in establishing and maintaining a strong DeCyst trap crop.
“These crops are suitable for all soils, are a good source of green manure and have thus far proven to reduce PCN populations in soil by up to 80 per cent. Being able to ensure their success is paramount to securing the future of potato growing and production.”
