Top Tips for Applying Herbicides in Cereal Crops

06 March 2025, UK: Top tips from our technical team 

Georgina Young, Syngenta Technical Manager, shares her top tips so you can benefit from her experience and technical expertise, and integrate this into your control plan. 

Putting more water in the tank means applications will take a little more time, but we’ve seen considerable benefits year after year in trials. Higher water volumes mean you get better coverage of the field. If someone told you there was a new herbicide on the market which would give you an extra 8-10% control, you’d be willing to pay a significant amount of money for that. Spending more time on herbicide applications is a tricky decision in a busy season when you’re trying to get everything done, but sometimes I think doing a bit less and doing it well will serve you better.

Get the best out of your herbicides by separating applications out 

Separating applications is challenging. We’re often mixing PGRs, fungicides, and other products. You want them to hit the crop, and the herbicide in the tank to hit the weed, which is often much smaller and harder to target. Droplet size and water volumes often need to be different and should be optimised for each target. 

When conditions aren’t so favourable you absolutely need to get the best out of your herbicides. Separating those applications out is the right thing to do to target the weeds in the best possible way. Then spray again with the other products in the tank, targeting those at the crop.

Application support in the field 

Syngenta Area Manager Charlotte Wright is on farm regularly, providing support and practical tips to help farmers and agronomists maximise weed control. Charlotte shares some advice to help enhance control from herbicide applications. 

Selecting your herbicide is just the starting point – when and how you apply that herbicide will have an enormous impact on the level of control that will be achieved. Application can contribute up to 50% of your chemical control so it’s critical to spend time focusing on this important aspect of weed management. 

Remember to calibrate your sprayer regularly to ensure accurate application rates, checking nozzles for wear and replacing them as necessary. Syngenta application trials have shown that 90% Drift Reduction Nozzles are the nozzle of choice for pre-emergence herbicide applications, to limit the adverse effects of drift and still achieve effective grass weed control. The Syngenta 3D ninety drift reduction nozzles are also the nozzle of choice with later herbicide applications, where crops have started to fill and potentially shade smaller weeds from spray droplets. Adjust the boom height to ensure proper overlap and coverage. 

And knowing when, and when not, to spray is as important as how you spray. Syngenta’s Spray Assist App gives you guidance on treatment, weather conditions, and application techniques. 

Once you’ve found your spray window, the advice to ‘go low, go slow, get covered’ is appropriate for both autumn and spring grass weed herbicide applications. Aim to keep the boom at 50cm or less from the target; reduce the sprayer speed to 12km/h or less; and use a water volume of 200l/ha.

We’re by your side 

We’re a partnership – we’re dedicated to providing expert advice on the best spraying techniques, ensuring effective weed management and helping you maximise your crop yields year after year. 

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

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