New sprays protect crops without breaking the bank

Two new herbicides to combat broad-leaved weeds in arable crops have been launched by manufacturer Life Scientific.

Water-soluble granule formulation Laya contains 200g/kg metsulfuron-methyl. A reverse-engineered version of Ally SX , it can be used for spring-applied broad-leaved weed control in wheat, barley, oats and triticale.

The other herbicide is Leash. It contains 200g clopyralid and is a reverse-engineered version of Dow Shield. Leash can be used for controlling perennial and annual broad-leaved weeds on a range of crops.

Full of promise

Life Scientific specialises in reverse engineered products which are accepted by the regulator as the same as the reference product. This means off-patent products are brought to market more quickly than previously possible.

Autumn sown crops are looking full of promise due to rapid crop development brought about by mild weather and good soil conditions, says Ruth Stanley, Life Scientific manager for the UK and Ireland.

But the mild conditions also meant there was a limited window to flush weeds through in stale seed beds. There was less opportunity to control weeds in the autumn, putting more pressure on control in the spring, says Ms Stanley.

“Well-timed herbicides will be important this spring – and success requires applying products early to small, growing weeds, which will more easily take up actives and are less able to detoxify them than larger weeds.”

Laya is approved for spring-applied broad-leaved weed control in wheat, barley, oats, triticale and on land temporarily out of production. For winter cereals, applications must only be made after 15 March and before the specified latest time of application.

Leash is approved for sugar beet, oilseed rape and cereals – and other important UK crops, but Ms Stanley advises checking the label as not all the crops have approval for the same timing, or individual or maximum dose.