Nichino America introduces a preemergence herbicide for use on vine and nut crops in California

Craze™ Herbicide from Nichino America, Inc. is now registered in California for use on grapes and nut crops as well as nonbearing stone fruit the company announced.

The active ingredient in Craze, orthosulfamuron, is a HRAC Group 2 herbicide that works by inhibiting the plant enzyme acetolactate synthase (ALS). Inhibition of this enzyme blocks branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis of valine, leucine, and isoleucine which leads to plant death.

Craze provides long-lasting, preemergence control of troublesome weeds in nut and vine crops, including cheeseweed (little mallow), filaree, fleabane, henbit, lambsquarters, and marestail.  Craze also offers preemergence suppression of hard-to-control grasses and yellow nutsedge as well as postemergence activity on target weeds at the time of application.

Field trials show Craze to have equal or superior efficacy against broadleaf weeds compared to other ALS herbicides.  Additionally, Craze controls broadleaf weeds resistant or tolerant to postemergence herbicides.  “The strength of Craze is its activity on fleabane and marestail,” reports Cathy Fleming-Wimer, product manager for Nichino America, Inc. “That important benefit, along with providing broad spectrum control of other susceptible weed species, makes Craze an excellent choice when considering herbicides in preemergence spray programs,” she adds.

Craze may be used anytime during the preemergence application period. It should be applied at 5.7 to 8.6 oz per acre in combination with another effective preemergence herbicide to enhance performance of the tankmix and increase control of tough weeds in vine and nut crops.  The Craze label allows a maximum yearly dosage of 8.6 oz per acre with a maximum of one application per year.   Always read and follow all labels for use directions.