The continuing challenge of potato weed control

Potato growers are continuing to rethink their weed control strategies following the loss, or restriction in use, of some key active ingredients in the last few years and are finding new ways of using the remaining herbicide tools they have. The loss of paraquat and the rate restriction on linuron has thrown up some new challenges in weed control and UAP trials have suggested that a mix of metribuzin and pendimethalin could be a useful treatment to consider this year. According to Barrie Florendine, potato agronomist who managed these trials on behalf of UAP, this mix gave good control of Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill, Fat-hen, Knot-grass and Mayweed as well as Sow-thistle. "This mix gave adequate grass-weed control and improved broad-leaved weed control. The pendimethalin in Stomp Aqua has a long half-life and so gives good persistent weed control, which is what is wanted."