3 weather watchouts at graminicide timing

It’s one thing to choose a graminicide that offers market-leading grass weed control, but how can you be sure you’re getting the most out of it, whatever the weather?

Here are three tips that can help:

1. Mind the mercury.

Syngenta graminicides should be applied when temperatures are between 12°C and 25°C. These temperatures contribute to maximum activity on weeds and the fastest results in good growing conditions. 

Remember to watch the weather throughout the day – if the temperature creeps above 27°C, target weeds may take in less product due to drought and/or heat stress, resulting in reduced control.

2. Wait out the cold spells.

Spraying a graminicide at temperatures below 5°C can also result in reduced weed control.

If you experience a light frost with temperatures briefly dipping below 0°C and -3°C, sit tight. Once daytime temperatures have reached 8°C to 10°C for at least two to four hours and the risk of another frost has passed, you can get back out there and show your weeds who’s boss.

After a hard frost with temperatures below -5°C overnight, you’ll need to wait 24 to 48 hours to give those weeds a chance to recover from the cold. Once daytime temperatures climb back above 8°C to 10°C for two to four hours, and the risk of more frost is over, you can fire up the sprayer again.

3. Work around the wet.

After a heavy dew or rainfall, you’ll need to wait for some of the moisture to evaporate off target fields before rolling out with a graminicide. Very wet weeds may cause the product to run off, resulting in less weed control.

Sometimes the rain just won’t co-operate, though, no matter how closely you monitor the weather. If it rains within an hour of your Syngenta graminicide application, contact our Customer Interaction Centre or your local Syngenta representative for advice.

Bonus tip: Watch and wait.

Remember to scout your fields within two to three weeks of your graminicide application. Look for discolouration on the newest leaf of your target grass weeds. That leaf should pull out easily.

If after three weeks your weeds are not dying, or if you spot irregular patches of weeds that appear healthy, give us a call – we’ll follow up within 24 hours to help get to the bottom of what’s going on. (After three weeks it becomes very difficult to determine why your herbicide application may not be delivering the intended results.)

Check out this infographic for more tips to help you get the most out of your Syngenta graminicide this season.