‘Huge rise’ in blackgrass levels reported on UK farms

An increase in blackgrass on many farms this season has renewed interest in reducing the weed to manageable levels.

Blackgrass is estimated to cost growers some 800,000 tonnes of lost yield in the UK alone– with associated economic losses of about £400m, says Ruth Stanley, UK & Ireland country manager for Life Scientific.

“This summer has clearly highlighted the challenges of black-grass control as the weed has raised its ugly head with vengeance and a dark cloud of seed heads is seen above cereal crops across the country,” she says.

‘Enormous amount’

“Even farms with previously manageable levels of the weed saw a huge rise in plant numbers which in turn will generate an enormous amount of seed shed, ready to germinate this autumn should conditions allow.”

It takes just 13 blackgrass plants per square metre for a 5% yield reduction, according to estimates from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. And with input costs on the rise, it has seldom been more important to combat the weed.

Blackgrass plants typically have up to 20 heads – each containing more than 500 seeds. This makes it essential action is taken at the beginning of the season to minimise damage and stop the weed emerging in the crop during the following months.

Early control and stacking actives is key, says Ms Stanley. Choosing quality products which can be used flexibly in the programme could tip the balance of blackgrass control back in the growers favour, she adds.

Firestarter is a grass and broadleaved weed herbicide manufactured by Life Scientific containing 400g/l flufenacet and 100g/l diflufenican in line with its reference product Liberator.

It can be used pre or post-emergence along with a sequence of alternative products containing different modes of action, such as Avadex or Luximo.

Where Firestarter is applied twice in sequence and the total dose is 0.9 litres per hectare, the first application must be made before GS14 of the crop, leaving a minimum interval of six weeks between applications.