Wild oats are not easy to control and there are a few golden rules that should be adhered to, in order to optimise performance of Axial Pro.

The golden rules:

  • Always use the full recommended rate of Axial Pro – 0.6l/ha for spring wild oats.
  • Apply in good growing conditions, as early as possible, once a full flush has occurred.
  • Tank mixing Axial Pro with broadleaf herbicides is a viable option where growing conditions are good and resistance is not confirmed or suspected.
  • If not tank mixed and Axial Pro is applied first, wait seven days before broadleaf herbicides are applied.
  • If broadleaf herbicides are applied first, wait 21 days before applying Axial Pro.

  • Keep sprayer forward speed below 12km/hr to minimise spray pattern turbulence and boom instability.
  • Maintain a boom height of 50cm over the target to minimise drift and to maintain even coverage.
  • Use a nozzle at the finer end of medium, eg flat fan or Amistar/Guardian Air nozzle.

    • Resistance challenge

    Pinoxaden, the active ingredient Axial Pro, is a member of the ACCase herbicide group. In recent years, Teagasc has identified resistance in the wild oat population to this group of herbicides

    Billy Cotter from Syngenta comments: "Axial in one form or another has been in the market for over 20 years now. Resistance to ACCase herbicides in wild oats, including Axial Pro, has emerged as a challenge in some fields.

    "Our stewardship and testing work indicates that the fields most likely to be impacted tend to be continuous spring barley cropping, where ACCase herbicides have been used repeatedly over several years. If you have suspicions of resistance, Teagasc offers an excellent testing service, and I would encourage growers and agronomists to avail of it," he added.

    Resistance can be:

  • Target Site (TSR), where one or more genetic mutations in the wild oat plant have been selected for

    • or

  • Non-Target Site (NTSR) or metabolic resistance, where the wild oat plant has developed the ability to detoxify the herbicide and reduce efficacy

    • or

  • A combination of Target Site and Non-Target Site resistance.

    • Resistance confirmed or suspected

    So, what is best use advice for Axial Pro where resistance is confirmed or suspected?

    If resistance is already confirmed in a population, then Billy says "you cannot rely on Axial Pro. Use alternative chemistry and or plan to adjust rotation to manage the resistant wild oat population in the future".

    "If resistance is suspected and alternative options are not viable in the short term, then pay strict attention to the golden rules referred to earlier and in addition do not apply Axial Pro in combination with broadleaf herbicides. In this scenario, best advice is to prioritise wild oat control, apply Axial Pro on its own and then follow up with broadleaf herbicides at least seven days later. If there are survivors, then it is critical to get the population tested. Irrespective of the resistance status, it is prudent to rogue or burn out any wild oats that survive treatment and to ensure machinery hygiene and straw movements minimise the risk of seed spread to other fields."

    For more information visit https://www.syngenta.ie/product/crop-protection/axial-pro