Post-emergence herbicide is not required for all maize crops, provided a good pre-emergence programme has been used. But where it is needed, post-emergence weed control is a key step towards maximising maize’s high dry matter yield potential and capturing its full benefit as a home-grown feed.
In recent years, a powerful three-way mix of crop protection products has helped many growers achieve cleaner, higher yielding and more profitable maize grain and silage crops.
A well-timed application of Latro® WG, Primiera®, and Bonza® Gold is now standard for post-emergence control of both broadleaf and grass weeds on land where these are likely to suppress yield before canopy closure. Together they give the best level of weed control we’ve seen in maize, including problem weeds like black nightshade, fathen and yellow bristle grass.
Latro WG (nicosulfuron) is a very effective grass weed herbicide, controlling couch, ryegrass, kikuyu, Mercer grass and annual grass weeds such as barnyard grass, bristle grasses, smooth witchgrass and summer grass. Latro WG also has activity against a range of broadleaf weeds. Primiera (mesotrione) is a selective broadleaf herbicide which kills a wide range of weeds including black nightshade, chickweed, spurrey, mallow, redroot, willow weed, wire weed and seedling docks. It also has activity against atrazine resistant fathen.
Bonza Gold is a canola oil adjuvant and is a critical part of the mix because it greatly enhances performance of the other two components Latro and Primiera. It does this by supporting the spread over the weeds leaf surface, penetrate through the waxy cuticle which protects the plant tissue, and get inside the plant to do its job.
For best results spray before maize plants reach 50cm in height to avoid crop injury and avoid spraying into the whorls of the maize plant if possible. The Latro, Primiera, Bonza Gold mix should not be applied to sweetcorn crops or popping corn.
For more helpful advice on making the most of home grown maize this season, contact your local Farm Source TSR today.
Latro® WG, Primiera®, and Bonza® Gold are registered trademarks of Nufarm Ltd.