Split application approval strengthens pulse herbicide
PULSE crop growers now have the opportunity to achieve extended grass weed control in their crops following approval for split application of a leading herbicide.
Ultro®, from ADAMA Australia, contains a unique herbicide mode of action (Group 23) and has consistently achieved higher levels of grass weed control in pulse crops than many industry standards.
The pre-emergent herbicide can be used in faba beans, lentils, field peas, chickpeas, lupins, vetch and broad beans across Australia, as well as in winter fallow, and its weed control spectrum also was recently expanded to include Silver Grass, Wild Oats, Phalaris, Volunteer Cereals and Wireweed
Rob Walker, ADAMA Australia Herbicides and PGR’s Portfolio Manager, said the new label extension, broadening Ultro’s use pattern and weed spectrum, was a bonus for growers.
“The split application provides growers with greater flexibility and extended residual weed control throughout the cropping cycle,” Rob said.
“The ability to ‘top-up’ an initial IBS application with a PSPE application helps enhance weed control within the plant line while supporting longer-lasting performance later into the season.”
Andrè Sabeeney, Market Development Manager with ADAMA Australia in SA, says Ultro pre-emergent herbicide has delivered some of the most consistent weed control results in pulse crops despite the extremes in seasonal conditions in recent years.
The consistency of Ultro’s control of grass weeds across indifferent seasons, including herbicide-resistant types, and wider benefits for entire cropping systems has continued to raise its profile.
Glyphosate and clethodim-resistant grass weeds are posing problems for various southern Australian growers, however Ultro has taken the pressure off some traditional herbicide options and is helping to clean-up paddocks for future crops.
Meanwhile, in Western Australia, many growers have particularly targeted the use of Ultro in lupins as an alternative to propyzamide applications for ryegrass, brome and barley grass control due to its robust efficacy and significant benefits for their whole farm weed management plans.
Putting a focus on the whole farming system benefit from each year’s weed control is becoming more recognised. Using Ultro within the pulse phase of crop rotations is benefiting following cereal crops and, thereby, enhancing its cost-effectiveness. The early weed control with Ultro allows improved crop competition against weeds, while excellent root pruning on the later remaining grasses assists the effectiveness of post-emergent selective herbicides.
Andrè Sabeeney, Market Development Manager with ADAMA Australia in SA, said Ultro had been used especially in high value lentil crops, which also generally provided reduced competition against weeds, as well as in some faba bean and field pea crops.
He said he considered it the ideal pre-emergent herbicide for use in pulse crops.
“What’s been impressive is that Ultro has delivered some of the most consistent results in control despite the extremes we have experienced in seasons over the last couple of years,” Andrè said.
“It has just been so much more consistent than the alternatives used in these cropping systems and that has been a real benefit.”
In a grassy paddock near Kadina in South Australia, the excellent weed control in field peas provided by Ultro pre-emergent herbicide is shown on the left, compared with an untreated area on the right
At Kadina in SA, AW Vater & Co Agronomist Zack Zweck said various growers had used Ultro in combination with Reflex® pre-emergent herbicide and achieved good success.
“It has controlled early ryegrass and brome grass, allowing for delayed in-crop grass sprays. It has also helped the in-crop grass sprays work better,” Zack said.
At Wycheproof in Victoria, Elders Agronomist Roy Daykin said Ultro applications with simazine and Spraytop® had performed well in numerous instances.
“Feedback from growers in recent seasons has been very positive, with good control of ryegrass, including ryegrass with suspected resistance to glyphosate. It has taken a great deal of pressure off Group 1 post-emergent chemistry,” Roy said.
“The solubility of carbetamide (the active ingredient in Ultro) compared with propyzamide seems to fit our dryland programs better.”
Grass-free lentil crop establishment following application of the pre-emergent pulse crop herbicide, Ultro, in the Wycheproof area of Victoria, where applications with simazine and Spraytop have performed well.
For further information on the use of Ultro herbicide in pulse crops, growers can contact their local ADAMA Australia representative or visit ADAMA.com.
Media Contact:
Isabelle Andrew | Digital Marketing & Events Manager | D: 0400 544 983 |