New application window for glyphosate-resistant kochia

University of Alberta research project determines alternate application window for controlling glyphosate-resistant kochia

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 6, 2013 /CNW/ - A University of Alberta-led research study has found that post-harvest herbicide applications significantly reduce kochia seed set. The findings provide growers with new ammunition in the fight against glyphosate-resistant kochia.

In 2012, University of Alberta, with the support of BASF Canada Inc. and Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), initiated trials to look for alternate ways to control glyphosate-resistant kochia in Western Canada. The research looked at the efficacy of post-harvest applications to specifically reduce the seed set of glyphosate-resistant kochia and add a different herbicide into crop rotations.

"Herbicide-resistant weeds are spreading, but we're also getting more and more resistant species and have seen the first occurrence of herbicide resistance to glyphosate," said Linda Hall, Lead Research at University of Alberta who conducted the study. "With the research, we were trying to determine whether there is a post-harvest treatment that can reduce the seed set of kochia."

Kochia is a unique weed with the ability to germinate at low soil temperatures and can produce between 10,000 and 25,000 seeds per plant. It emerges very early and matures very late, which means using multiple modes of action to control kochia at post-harvest could be an alternative action to combat the noxious weed.

"To investigate the post-harvest control window, we went in after harvest and applied a range of herbicides. In those trials we measured the amount of seed left on the plant and the amount that had fallen onto the ground. We found two herbicides that were effective at reducing seed set, and very dramatically. Fifty per cent reductions were seen with DISTINCT^® and paraquat," said Hall.

The research findings open a new opportunity for weed management. With more in-depth research coming, post-harvest applications with products that have additional modes of action like DISTINCT are likely to result in fewer seeds on the soil and will help combat glyphosate resistance.

"We're really excited about this preliminary research. The post-harvest option is basically an unexplored opportunity to do some weed control to reduce the seed bank of weeds. Herbicides like DISTINCT show some great promise," says Hall.

Growers concerned about glyphosate resistance should visit www.weedtool.com. The website is an online weed resistance risk assessment that allows users to measure the risk of glyphosate resistance developing and it also contains valuable agronomic advice to manage resistance.

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BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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© 2013 BASF Canada Inc.

SOURCE: BASF Canada Inc.

Joel Johnson
BASF Canada Inc.
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Alison Inglis
ON Communication Inc.
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