Integrated Pest Management: Controlling Weeds in Cereal Crops

06 March 2025, UK: Keeping weeds in check in cereal crops

Weeds are a constant challenge in many UK cereal crops, especially given their biological similarity to the cereals we grow. To help reduce this headache, we’ve pulled together some tips to help you stay in control.

The IPM toolbox

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines various strategies to manage pests, diseases, and weeds while minimising environmental impact. Weed control is a critical aspect of IPM as weeds can significantly reduce yields and quality if left unchecked.

Weed management is all about being smart and using a mix of tools to keep your crops happy and the environment in good shape.

Know what you’re dealing with

The first step is to identify and understand the weed species present in the field. Common problematic weeds in UK cereal crops include:

• Blackgrass 
• Cleavers 
• Wild oats 
• Italian ryegrass 
• Chickweed 
• Poppy 

Each weed species has different growth habits, competitive abilities, and susceptibilities to control methods, so understanding what is prevalent in your fields is vital. Regular crop walks and accurate record keeping will help you stay one step ahead.

Outsmart the weeds

Before going straight to spraying, there are several cultural tools we can use. Cultural control practices aim to create an environment that favours crops over weeds:

1. Mix it up: Crop rotations, specifically alternating cereal crops with broadleaf crops, can disrupt weed lifecycles and allow for the use of different herbicide modes of action.
2. Play the waiting game: Later sowing will allow blackgrass and other autumn-germinating weeds to emerge and be treated before crop establishment.
3. Stay tough: Choosing cereal varieties with rapid early growth and good ground cover can help suppress weed growth. HYVIDO® hybrid barley varieties, for example, are well-known for their ability to outcompete blackgrass.
4. Know your numbers: Higher seed rates and narrower row spacing can increase crop competitiveness against weeds.
5. Stale seedbeds: Preparing seedbeds in advance and allowing weeds to emerge before destroying them prior to crop sowing can reduce the weed seedbank.

Cultivation

1. Disrupt weed life cycles:  Deep cultivation buries weed seeds and reduces their viability.
2. Promote germination: Shallow cultivation can encourage weeds to grow, creating a stale seedbed in which weeds can be controlled.
3. Improved crop competitiveness: Creating optimal seedbed conditions can provide crops with good conditions for growth, providing an early advantage over weeds.

Getting physical

Mechanical weed control methods are also effective in an integrated approach:

1. Harrowing: Spring-tine harrowing can control small weed seedlings in established cereal crops.
2. Inter-row cultivation: In wide-row cereals, mechanical hoeing between rows can be very effective.
3. Wake those weeds up: Post-harvest cultivation can stimulate weed germination, allowing for control before the next crop is sown.

Herbicides

While IPM aims to reduce reliance on chemical controls, herbicides remain an important tool:

1. Pre-emergence: Applied shortly after sowing, herbicides are taken up as weeds begin to emerge.
2. Post-emergence: Targeting actively growing weeds with either selective or broad-spectrum treatments.
3. Avoid reliance: Using herbicides with different modes of action helps prevent the development of herbicide-resistant weed populations.
4. Timing: Applying herbicides at the optimal crop and weed growth stages is crucial for maximising efficacy.
5. Tank mixing: Combining compatible herbicides can broaden the spectrum of weed control and manage resistance.

Remember: always follow all label instructions and adhere to local regulations when using herbicides.

High-tech helpers

Advancements in technology continually provide new tools for weed management:

1. GPS-guided spraying: Allows for precise herbicide application, reducing overall use, improving efficacy and reducing the build-up of resistance.
2. Drone mapping: Enables early detection of weed patches and targeted control measures.
3. Robotic weeding: Autonomous machines that identify and remove weeds are being developed for field-scale use.

Biological control

While less common in cereal crops, scientists are also working on bio-based herbicides that could play an important role in the future:

1. Mycoherbicides: Fungal pathogens that specifically target certain weed species are being developed.
2. Bioherbicides: Plant-derived compounds with herbicidal properties offer potential alternatives to synthetic chemicals.

Keep your eyes peeled

Watch, learn, adjust. Continuous monitoring of weed populations and evaluating the effectiveness of control measures is crucial. This allows for adjustments to the IPM strategy and helps identify emerging issues such as herbicide resistance. Test for resistance if control appears to be declining.

Bringing it all together

The truth is that there is no single solution or silver bullet. Effective weed control in cereal crops requires an integrated approach that brings cultural, mechanical, chemical, and technological methods together. By adopting an IPM strategy, you can achieve sustainable weed management while minimising the environmental impact and preserving the long-term efficacy of available control options.

Every field is different, so what works for your neighbour might not work for you. Indeed, what works on one field may not work on another even on the same farm. The key to success lies in understanding your specific weed challenges, staying informed about the latest research and technologies, and being willing to adapt management practices as needed. With careful planning and implementation, an IPM approach can lead to improved weed control, higher crop yields, and more sustainable cereal production in the UK.

Also Read: Maharashtra Stops Biostimulant Sales While J&K Allows Liquidation: Industry Seeks Clarity

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