February 23, 2010

United Oilseed receives SOLA licence for oilseed herbicide

A new Specific Off-Label Approval (SOLA) licence has been awarded to United Oilseed's Avadex, allowing oilseed rape growers to take advantage of its activity against black-grass and broad-leaved weed infestations in winter and spring-sown crops.

Before the awarding of SOLA to United Oilseeds, it was not available for use on oilseed crops.

Results from trials conducted by Agrovista suggest that while black-grass has developed some resistance to many of the more commonly used herbicides that are currently available, little or no resistance to Avadex has yet been recorded. The SOLA will, therefore, provide a useful addition to control black-grass which is becoming more prevalent.

With black-grass becoming an increasing issue for many oilseed growers, getting the basics right in terms of weed control has never been more important, said Agrovista's technical manager Mark Palmer.

As long as it is used correctly, evidence from the trials suggests that applying Avadex as a pre-emergent can significantly improve the efficacy of subsequent herbicide applications by sensitising the weed population, said Dr Palmer.

Avadex can also help control additional broad-leaved weeds, including charlock, speedwells, poppy and fumitory.