Crystal (60g/lflufenacet + 300g/l pendimethalin) can now be used in spring barley from pre-emergence to before GS 23 at a rate of 2l/ha.
 

At this rate Crystal provides effective control against annual meadow grass and some of the problematic broad-leaved weeds such as fumitory, poppy, polygnums, chickweed, pansy, speedwell, and cranesbill.
 

The addition of picolinofen + pendimethalin pre-emergence will help to broaden the spectrum of broad leaved weeds that can be controlled, ensuring that the crop gets away quickly and does not struggle against early weed competition. Crystal is also non-leaching and has no following crop restrictions.
 

Andrew Gilchrist of SAC believes that this is good news for growers this spring as it widens the choice of herbicide actives that are currently limited in spring barley. “We have been dependent for so long on SU’s and there is no doubt that background resistance is on the rise, so it makes sense to start expanding the actives that we can use.”
 

"With Crystal you get the residual activity from the pendimethalin which gives a more secure base to control as it stays where it is put, and the flufenacet provides a stronger and broader grass weed control package all round."
 

Users must ensure that all conditions specified in the Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use are complied with and must be in possession of the Notice of Extension of Use, before use is undertaken.  The EAMU can be downloaded at https://secure.pesticides.gov.uk/offlabels/search.asp