Field of spring barley

Lock in barley yield and quality with PADAWAN®

Lodging pressure is on the rise, especially in early-drilled or high-fertility barley crops. PADAWAN®, a plant growth regulator containing 480 g/L ethephon, delivers robust and reliable straw shortening in both winter and spring barley, helping you to protect yield and preserve grain quality at harvest.
Spring Blog
16 April, 2025
5min read
Field of spring barley

Proven benefits with PADAWAN®

  • Reduces straw length and increases resistance to lodging
  • Minimises brackling and supports easier harvest
  • Protects yield and grain quality
  • Ideal as the final step in a spring PGR programme

When and how to use PADAWAN® in barley

Winter Barley

Best suited to early-drilled, high-risk crops.

Rate: up to 1.0 L/ha

Timing: GS32–39 (for maximum straw length reduction apply between GS37–39)

Note: Do not apply at booting stage (GS41+).

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Spring Barley

Rate: 0.5 L/ha

Timing: GS32–49 (for best results, apply at GS39 – flag leaf fully extended)

Note: avoid use on stressed crops or applying during dry soil conditions.

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Reduce lodging to maximise yield

A trial carried out in 2024 on winter barley indicated that a late season application of PADAWAN® (at the T2 timing, GS37) was effective at minimising lodging and protecting crop yield (see graph below). In plots treated with PADAWAN®, the percentage of lodged plants range from 0 to 5%, with all other plots experiencing some degree of lodging.

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Optimising PADAWAN® performance – best practice tips

To get the most from PADAWAN®, follow these simple guidelines:

  • Prioritise high-risk crops such as those drilled early or growing on fertile soils as these will be under the greatest lodging pressure.
  • For best results, apply to healthy, well-nourished crops that are actively growing.
  • Allow at least 10 days between PADAWAN® and any herbicide or liquid fertiliser applications to avoid crop stress.
  • Aim for a medium spray quality, using 200–400 L/ha water at 2–3 bar pressure to ensure even coverage.
  • Moist soils and mild, settled weather will support the best crop response.
  • Where possible, avoid spraying just before or after frosts, as this can reduce effectiveness and increase the risk of scorch.

PADAWAN® – the smart PGR for stronger barley

PADAWAN® helps to protect your crop’s strength and structure where it matters most – in high-yielding, high-risk barley crops. As part of an integrated PGR programme, PADAWAN® is your final defence against lodging and harvest headaches.

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MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about how PADAWAN® protects cereals, please contact your Regional Agronomy Manager by calling the ADAMA technical helpline on 01635 876 622 or via email at ukenquiries@adama.com

 

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