Powering up Groundsel Control with Chlorotoluron (CTU)

The trouble with groundsel:

Despite its short lifespan, groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) can have a noticeable impact on cereal crop productivity if left unchecked. This is largely because plants are able to overwinter and produce seeds which germinate throughout the year, therefore producing several generations in a single arable cycle.

Added to this, herbicide resistance has been detected in some groundsel populations: the first case of triazinone resistance was recorded in 2010, with populations now highly resistant to triazine herbicides. Similarly, partial resistance to metribuzin and metamitron has also been detected.

Chlorotoluron to the rescue:

In a recent ADAMA glasshouse trial, tests were carried out to assess the performance of ADAMA’s chlorotoluron-based herbicides, TOWER^® and CHROME^®. 

The findings were clear: all six of the groundsel populations tested showed very high levels of sensitivity to ADAMA’s chlorotoluron co-formulated products.

The following images show that TOWER^® and CHROME^® both achieved 100% control of groundsel population ‘24CBLW03’. Similar results were also observed in the five remaining groundsel populations (see table below).

In contrast, and in all six populations, the level of protection provided by metsulfuron-methyl ranged from 62.5% to 81.75% control, confirming varying levels of resistance to the active ingredient.

TOWER^®:                                             CHROME^®:                                      Metsulfuron:

^{Untreated pots at rear. Treated pots in foreground. Applications made at GS13-14}

The benefits of Chlorotoluron:

• Cost-effective control of meadowgrass and broadleaved weeds including groundsel, poppy, cleavers, mayweed, and chickweed (including SU resistant populations)
• Moderately mobile in soils: allows good residual activity in a range of soil types and weather conditions
• Better efficacy than metribuzin

DID YOU KNOW…

ADAMA is the only crop protection manufacturer with a chlorotoluron registration in the UK. So, if you want to add Chlorotoluron to your post-emergence weed control programme, please contact your local ADAMA Regional Agronomy Manager.

TOWER^®… A unique residual containing pendimethalin, diflufenican and chlorotoluron.

TOWER^® is an exclusive co-formulation of three active ingredients with complementary modes of action:

• 250 g/l chlorotoluron
• 40 g/l diflufenican
• 300 g/l pendimethalin

CHROME^®… the complete herbicide

CHROME^® contains a unique blend of three complementary active ingredients which deliver superior weed control even in the most challenging conditions:

• 280g/l chlorotoluron
• 80 g/l flufenacet
• 40 g/l diflufenican