Reports of the potentially devastating blackgrass weed have increased significantly this year. The weed can cause severe yield reductions in cereals, with just 12 plants/m2 leading to 5% yield reduction.
The grass weed remains a significant issue for UK farms, with 98% of it’s population now resistant to at least one form of herbicide. Glyphosate is the latest herbicide to show reduced sensitivity to the weed.
Growers fear that these resistant strains are now in Ireland, having entered the country through UK straw and machinery imports.
ADVERTISEMENT
There are a few established pockets of the weed around the country, including areas in Louth, Meath and Dublin, as well as Cork, Tipperary and Limerick.
Control
Growers are urged to act immediately if they spot the weed and adopt an integrated approach to control, such hand roguing, spot treating, mowing the infected area or stale seedbeds.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Reports of the potentially devastating blackgrass weed have increased significantly this year. The weed can cause severe yield reductions in cereals, with just 12 plants/m2 leading to 5% yield reduction.
The grass weed remains a significant issue for UK farms, with 98% of it’s population now resistant to at least one form of herbicide. Glyphosate is the latest herbicide to show reduced sensitivity to the weed.
Growers fear that these resistant strains are now in Ireland, having entered the country through UK straw and machinery imports.
There are a few established pockets of the weed around the country, including areas in Louth, Meath and Dublin, as well as Cork, Tipperary and Limerick.
Control
Growers are urged to act immediately if they spot the weed and adopt an integrated approach to control, such hand roguing, spot treating, mowing the infected area or stale seedbeds.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS