Emerger can now be used for post-emergence weed control in selected
field vegetables after AHDB secured authorisations from the Chemicals
Regulation Directorate (CRD).
These new extensions of authorisations for minor use (EAMUs) for root
vegetables, stem vegetables and alliums will be a welcome addition to
many growers’ integrated pest management strategies. Applications were
made to CRD following successful testing in AHDB’s SCEPTREplus
post-emergence weed control trials on ten different field vegetable
crops.
Previously, Emerger was limited to pre-emergence applications in root
crops and there have been no post-planting contact herbicides approved
for use in vegetables, such as celery and celeriac.
The cost of hand-weeding is not only very high, but with the lack of
availability of seasonal workers compounded this year by the
coronavirus, it has been made even harder this year. These approvals
should provide growers with a more economical option to control weeds.
Bolette Palle Neve, Crop Protection Senior Scientist at AHDB, said:
“With its strong activity against many important weed types, including
polygonum and Chenopodium species, brassica weeds and grassweeds (from
seed), having the option to apply Emerger as a post-emergence spray up
until two true leaves will greatly enhance weed-control programmes.”
Emerger is marketed by Bayer and the applications were made with their
support. A separate application for use in herbs is also being
considered by CRD and is expected later.
Claire Matthewman, Campaign Manager for Horticulture, Bayer, said,
“EAMUs are an essential means of ensuring growers have access to plant
protection products. AHDB is again to be applauded for these
authorisations. Growers of stem vegetables and alliums have lacked
post-emergence control options for some time and for them this news is
especially welcome.
“Being able to control late-germinating brassica weeds has become
increasingly important as growers seek to limit reservoirs for virus.
Post-emergence use of Emerger will help support this ambition.”
Emerger is a diphenyl-ether herbicide containing aclonifen.
