 BASF Press Releases
Oilseeds, Oilseed Rape Shepherd’s-purse problems in rape solved by Springbok
18.07.08 The residual and contact herbicide Springbok continues to give excellent control of problem weeds, Shepherd’s-purse, Chickweed and Annual Meadow-grass, in oilseed rape and has given growers the flexible timing that they need when they have a large area to cover, according to Donald Hay of CSC Crop Protection. “In mid Scotland our problem weeds in winter oilseed rape are Shepherd’s-purse and Chickweed. Both are very competitive, producing a carpet of weeds and must be taken out early. If Shepherd’s-purse gets away, it can be a nightmare. There is nothing you can do as there are no post-emergence solutions. So we have to go pre-emergence or very early post-emergence. Annual Meadow-grass is also a major weed and our success with post-em residuals has not been great,” explains Donald. Donald uses Springbok as the major product in his herbicide programme in winter oilseed rape. “Applied at the full dose rate of 2.5 l/ha, results have been superb. In terms of Shepherd’s-purse, its control is second to none. For Chickweed and Annual Meadow-grass, which are also difficult to control, it also does a very good job.” “One of the key benefits of Springbok is its flexibility. The optimum timing is pre-emergence, but if it is too dry or seedbeds are not ideal, very early post-emergence at cotyledon stage, in tank-mix with a graminicide to remove volunteer cereals also gives excellent results too. This flexibility is extremely important to those larger growers who have to get round 500 plus hectares of rape. At this early post-em timing, it is often tank-mixed with mancozeb for downy mildew control. With the high prices of fuel these days it is important to get a number of jobs done at once.” Donald also remarks that Springbok is extremely crop safe. “Crop safety of herbicides is a big issue as we need to make sure that the rape crop gets well established early on without any hindrance. Even in tank mix, Springbok has never given us a problem, which our farmers know and appreciate. We can sometimes get early frosts here but it doesn’t worry Springbok at all,” adds Mr. Hay. Lisa Harlow, BASF Commercial Business Manager for BASF reports that Springbok was introduced to provide improved activity on key weeds, compared to 1.5 l/ha of Butisan S (metazachlor), and to add superior control of problem weeds such as Shepherd’s-purse and Poppy. She points out that with the demise of trifluralin, it will become more important for Poppy control. However, Springbok must be used pre-emergence to achieve the best Poppy results.” Springbok is both residual and contact-acting, being taken up via both shoot and root of the weed seedling. “Dimethenamid-p uptake is via hypocotyls, coleoptiles and roots, whereas metazachlor is taken up by roots. Results show that Springbok is a more residual product than straight metazachlor, as the herbicide is not chasing the roots down the soil. Also, shoot activity improves its performance under dry conditions” explains Lisa Harlow. Springbok can be used pre- or early post-emergence before seven true leaves of the crop. For the best result application should be made pre-emergence of the weed. Springbok contains dimethenamid-p and metazachlor.
Butisan contains metazachlor. Springbok and Butisan S are registered trademarks of BASF. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. USE PESTICIDES SAFELY. www.totaloilseedcare.co.uk | 
