How to get best results from pre-harvest desiccation

• Be patient – don't rush application

• Helps ensure crops ripen uniformly

• Can tackle challenging weeds too

Farmers managing oilseed rape with glyphosate before harvest are advised to use a pod test to make applications at the optimum timing.

Although oilseed rape can aid harvest management by encouraging crops to ripen uniformly, it is important that applications are timed correctly, says Bayer commercial technical manager Matt Siggs.

“First of all, don’t be too keen,” says Mr Siggs. “Applying too early could reduce yield and oil content plus increase the amount of red seed.”

Mr Siggs recommends using a pod test to check the crop. Spray when senescence has begun so check the pods, he says.

“Go right into the crop, not the headlands or tramlines to find a suitable place to sample. Look for an area of canopy which is representative of the field, this may be the main raceme or side branches depending on the crop.

“Choose 20 pods, if in 15 of these pods, at least two-thirds of the seed has changed from green to brown then it is safe to start spraying. If you are a bit below the threshold, come back in three days to check again.”

Target weeds

Perennial weeds can be targeted with the same application. Glyphosate translocates to the rhizome helping to control weeds long-term. A higher rate of 1440g/ha is needed against perennial weeds. If there are only annual weeds 1080g/ha is sufficient.

“Think about how the spray fits in with the weed control programme and the next crop. Fields going into wheat are likely to have a big gap until drilling so the additional weed control can keep stubbles cleaner for longer.”

The aim is for glyphosate to reach all the pods and any green material at the base of the crop; hence the application needs to penetrate through the entire canopy. A medium–coarse spray is a reliable option for canopy penetration.

In thicker crops, higher water volumes of 200l/ha can improve coverage but always pay attention to the link between forward speed, nozzle choice and optimum pressure to ensure effective application.

Time of day can make a difference. “There is typically higher humidity earlier in the day which means stomata are open increasing glyphosate uptake.”

Harvest interval

“Remember, glyphosate cannot enter the plant without a surfactant so an optimal loading of

Optimising glyphosate application can help harvest management a quality adjuvant is essential. Increasing the dose will not make up for a poor, underloaded formulation.”

Maximise uptake

Modern glyphosate formulations aim to maximise uptake in a range of climatic conditions to give better, more consistent results. High temperatures and thundery downpours are two risks at this time of year which can be mitigated by better formulations.

There is a statutory 14-day interval from spray until harvest, but individual crops may need up to one week longer to fully ripen. Growers should monitor each crop closely to decide when to start combining.

Focus on sprayer setup for best results

Preparing sprayers correctly will improve desiccation – and make life easier for operators.

Just a few minutes checking over a farm’s sprayer before moving into oilseed rape crops will be time well spent, says John Wooding, technical sales manager at Knight Farm Machinery.

Even application.

“While the oilseed rape area has dropped back, it’s still a significant UK break crop, and desiccation remains the best way of speeding up plant ripening to match seed maturity.”

Good sprayer preparation is critical to ensuring desic- cants are thoroughly and evenly applied. This means operators should ensure machines are wellprepared if they are to achieve best results.

Tyre pressure

Correct tyre pressure is vital – on the tractor as well as the sprayer if you are using a trailed machine. If you are not using a GPSbased rate controller, also ensure your sprayer is calibrated correctly according to the wheels fitted, says Mr Wooding.

“Make sure belly sheets are in good condition and securely fitted, and that any tines fitted to Continued overleaf

Continued from previous page removed so crop doesn’t snag.

Boom height

“We repair three or four boom sections each year damaged this way. Check you are using the best nozzles for the job, and have selected the best rate for the product and the density of the crop,” says Mr Wooding.

Once in the field, growers should check their boom height is right for the crop. This should be low enough for