Seed Industry

Maximising Weed Control: Strategies For Effective Management In 2025

29 January 2025, UK: As we prepare for the upcoming growing season, it’s crucial to develop a comprehensive weed management strategy. By reviewing past challenges, monitoring current conditions, and planning proactive measures, you can significantly improve your weed control outcomes. This email explores some key steps to enhance weed management practices and help optimise crop yields for this season and beyond.

Syngenta herbicide technical manager Georgina Young, shares her top tips to help you prepare for the season ahead.

Reflecting on last year’s weed challenges

One of the first steps in developing an effective weed control plan is to review the previous season’s weed issues and the effectiveness of control measures. 

Take time to analyse:

  • Which weed species were most problematic?
  • How well did your chosen integrated weed management strategies perform?
  • Were there any areas where weed control was particularly challenging – why, and what might be done differently?

This reflection allows you to identify areas for improvement and adjust your strategy accordingly. 

For instance, if certain herbicides were less effective than expected, it may be time to consider alternative options or additional integrated approaches.

Cultivating stale seedbeds and utilising cover crops

Mechanical and cultural practices can significantly enhance your weed management efforts:

  • Implement stale seedbed techniques to encourage weed germination before spring planting.
  • Use shallow tillage or herbicides to control emerged weeds prior to drilling.
  • If using cover crops, plan their destruction timing to maximise weed suppression benefits.

We are committed to being by your side in the challenge to manage grassweeds on farm, and continue to invest in research and development to explore and understand the role that different strategies can play in managing grassweeds. This season, for example, we will be conducting a number of trials to better understand if, and how, integrated weed management practices such as companion cropping can contribute to grassweed control. We’ll be sharing more information on these trials and regular updates as the season progresses.

With the first case of resistance to glyphosate confirmed in a UK weed species (Italian ryegrass), it’s important to follow the Weed Resistance ACTION Group’s (WRAG) guidelines. 

Click here for more information.

Incorporating spring cropping for weed lifecycle disruption

Strategic crop rotation can play a vital role in disrupting weed lifecycles. When planning your spring planting:

  • Consider incorporating later-planted wheat or spring barley into your rotation, or non-cereal alternatives.
  • These crops can help break weed cycles and provide additional herbicide options.
  • Evaluate which option best fits your local conditions, market demands, and overall farm management plan.

Early monitoring for wild oat emergence

Wild oats can be particularly troublesome, with early emergers having the most significant impact on crop yields and build-up of the weed seed bank. Regular field scouting is essential to detect wild oat emergence as soon as possible. Consider the following:

  • Begin monitoring fields early in the season, especially in areas prone to wild oat infestations.
  • Pay close attention to field edges, low-lying areas, and spots with a history of wild oat problems.
  • Remember that early control of wild oats is crucial for minimising their impact on crop performance.

Syngenta-funded research has highlighted the priority for growers to target grass weeds in wheat and barley crops as soon as possible in the spring, rather than waiting for more to emerge later in the season. The results reinforce the role of AXIAL® Pro for early grass weed control. You can read more and watch Syngenta and NIAB discuss the trial results by clicking here.

Evaluating herbicide options and managing resistance

With herbicide resistance becoming increasingly prevalent, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate your herbicide choices:

  • Review the efficacy of herbicides used in previous seasons.
  • Consider stacking and rotating herbicide modes of action to help prevent resistance development.
  • Integrate chemical control with other weed management practices for a more robust approach.

A holistic approach to weed management

In summary, effective weed control requires a multilayered approach that combines careful planning, timely action, and diverse management techniques. By reviewing past challenges, monitoring current conditions, strategically planning crop rotations, evaluating herbicide options, and incorporating cultural practices, you can significantly improve your weed control success.

Remember that weed management is an ongoing process that requires adaptation to changing conditions and emerging challenges. Stay informed about new research, technologies, and best practices in weed control. Regularly assess the effectiveness of your strategies and be prepared to adjust your approach as needed.

“We at Syngenta are by your side in the battle against grass weeds and we wish you a successful 2025. By implementing these comprehensive weed management strategies, you can protect your crops, optimise yields, and promote long-term farm sustainability”, concludes Georgina.

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