Bayer’s herbicide Sakura expected to be registered in 2012

Bayer Territory Sales Manager Alistair Beyer is confident his company’s new pre-emergent herbicide Sakura will be registered for the 2012 autumn cereal planting.

Sakura has achieved fantastic results in the control of annual ryegrass, silvergrass, toadrush, annual phalaris and barley grass, and importantly, offers another option where herbicide resistance is becoming more of an issue.

Mr. Beyer estimated Sakura to cost around $35-40/ha, which is comparable with other existing grass herbicides. Trial results of Sakura to date have been exceptional.

Speaking at SFS’s AgriFocus field day at Lake Bolac last week, Mr. Beyer said trials had shown the best way to use the herbicide was to incorporate by sowing, with knife points and press wheels.

"We’re not saying don’t use disc seeders, as it is still being assessed how to get the best from the product with different planting equipment,” Mr. Beyer said.

He said only light incorporation was needed, to ensure product placement around the germinating weed seeds.

"This is what we have found provides the best results.”

The herbicide, with the active ingredient 850 g/kg pyroxasulfone is likely to be classified as a Group K herbicide when it is officially registered.

It will be registered for ryegrass, toad rush, silver and barley grasses and phalaris in wheat and triticale.

Mr. Beyer said the initial trials also looked promising on brome grass and needed a tank mix partner for satisfactory wireweed control.

High stubble loads can be an issue, with over 50pc ground cover impacting on the product’s effectiveness, although a feature of Sakura is that it washes off stubble.

The herbicide is highly residual, providing up to 12 weeks residual control. However, this residual creates plant back restrictions.

Mr. Beyer said in a traditional winter cropping program this would not be an issue, unless the first crop sown failed and a farmer wanted to resow a sensitive crop.

Wheat (not durum) and triticale will be on the initial Sakura label.

"It’s going to be fine to add Sakura to existing knock down herbicides and spikes, and it will help growers get a better chemical rotation for the control of annual grasses.

"There’s also going to be less need for post-emergent grass sprays. He said farmers were very excited about the release, "It's now up to us to manage expectations".