The importance of weed management in pulse crops
Pulse crops are less competitive against weeds compared to cereals and canola. Weeds can significantly reduce pulse crop yields by competing for light, water, and nutrients. Effective weed management is crucial from the start of the growing season to protect your investment and ensure a profitable harvest. Nufarm offers a comprehensive weed management portfolio to help your pulses start clean and stay clean from seed to bin.
Nufarm’s weed management solutions
1. Pre-emergence: Valtera and Fierce herbicides
Starting the season with a clean field is vital. Valtera EZ and Fierce EZ are soil-active herbicides that can be applied in the fall or early spring, providing up to 8 weeks of residual weed control.
Valtera herbicide is a pre-emergent herbicide that targets a wide range of broadleaf weeds. It creates a protective barrier in the soil that controls weeds as they emerge, keeping your pulse crops free from broadleaf weed competition during their critical early growth stages.
Fierce herbicide features two modes of action to manage challenging broadleaf like kochia and grass weeds including wild oats. Fierce can be applied in the fall or early spring to help keep pulse crops clean through early growth stages. Weed management in pulse crops is critical for protecting yields and ensuring a profitable harvest. Nufarm’s suite of pre-emergent soil active herbicides—Valtera and Fierce—provide comprehensive weed control. By starting with a clean field using Valtera or Fierce, you can keep your pulse crops free from weed competition throughout the growing season.
Application Tips:
● Fall apply as late as possible but prior to freeze up for any registered crop.
● Apply in the spring with burndown, but always check seeding restrictions on the label.
● Tank-mixable with glyphosate.
● Follow label instructions for application rates and timing to maximize effectiveness.
2. Pre-seed burndown: GoldWing herbicide
Before seeding, it’s crucial to eliminate any emerged weeds or weed escapes that may have survived the residual herbicides. GoldWing is a pre-burn herbicide that can control these weeds effectively. GoldWing provides fast-acting control of emerged broadleaf and grass weeds. It can be tank-mixed with Valtera or Fierce to enhance weed control right before seeding, ensuring your pulse crops start with a clean slate.
Application Tips:
● Apply GoldWing to actively growing weeds for best results.
● Use adequate water volume to ensure thorough coverage of weed foliage, 10 gallons an acre is recommended.
● Tank mix with Valtera or Fierce for enhanced control of both emerged and germinating weeds.
3. In-crop weed control: Ransack herbicide
As the season progresses, late-emerging weeds can pose a threat to pulse crops. Ransack is an in-crop herbicide designed to clean up any late-emerging weeds before the crop canopy closes.
Ransack provides broad-spectrum control of broadleaf weeds and is applied post-emergence in pulse crops. This herbicide helps maintain a weed-free environment, reducing competition and allowing your pulse crops to thrive.
Application Tips:
● Apply Ransack when weeds are small and actively growing for optimal control.
● Ensure thorough coverage by using the recommended spray volume and nozzles.
● Monitor fields regularly and apply Ransack before weeds become too large and difficult to control.
Best Practices for Effective Weed Management in Pulse Crops
Adopting best practices such as regular monitoring, proper application techniques, and herbicide rotation will further enhance your weed management efforts. Staying informed about the latest advancements in pulse herbicides and crop protection will help you protect your pulse profits and achieve successful crop production.
