With autumn drilling fast approaching, arable farmers are being urged to strengthen their grassweed control plans to give winter wheat crops the best possible start.
Blackgrass and Italian ryegrass remain two of the most damaging weeds to UK arable production. Even low levels can escalate quickly, with just one plant per square metre producing 10 heads.
Stuart Kevis, technical expert at BASF, has drawn on his experience in the field to set out a seven-step ‘IPM Game Plan’ for reducing grassweed populations and protecting yields this autumn.
“Growers know there’s no silver bullet,” he said. “The most effective control comes from integrating cultural and chemical strategies, which work together to bring populations back down to manageable levels.”
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1. Enhance soil health
According to Kevis, grassweeds thrive in cold, wet, compacted soils. Improving drainage, reducing compaction, and correcting pH or nutrient issues creates conditions that favour crops over weeds. “Organic amendments, better soil structure and cover crops can all tip the balance in the crop’s favour,” he said.
2. Reset seedbanks with ploughing
Rotational ploughing can dramatically reduce surface seed populations, especially against short-lived seeds like blackgrass. Kevis advised ploughing around one year in five, ensuring complete inversion and keeping cultivations shallow afterwards.
3. Delay drilling
Pushing drilling back until mid-October in problem fields can make a significant difference. “Delaying drilling by just a week can reduce blackgrass pressure by about 15%,” said Kevis. Later drilling also helps residual herbicides perform more effectively, thanks to better soil moisture.
4. Optimise stale seedbeds
Even after a strong year of control, the seedbank poses a persistent threat. Shallow cultivations of no more than 5cm, followed by consolidation, encourage germination which can then be destroyed by glyphosate or light cultivation. “When executed well, stale seedbeds are one of the most reliable cultural tools,” Kevis said.
5. Strengthen crop competitiveness
Variety choice, drilling rate and crop architecture all make a difference. “Vigorous varieties with rapid early growth, higher seed rates and narrower row spacing help the crop smother weeds,” Kevis explained. “A strong canopy is one of the best suppressants.”
6. Best chemistry first
Residual herbicides should be the foundation of chemical control, applied before weed emergence. “Starting with the most effective chemistry, such as Luximo, provides the strongest foundation for control and underpins the rest of the programme,” said Kevis.
7. Apply herbicides responsibly
Application timing and accuracy are critical. Pre-emergence products should be applied within 24-48 hours of drilling, to well-consolidated, clod-free seedbeds with at least 32mm seed cover.
“Sprayer accuracy, good stewardship and mixing modes of action are essential to protect efficacy long term,” Kevis added.
He stressed that while each tactic plays a role, it is their combination that delivers lasting success. “No single measure will solve the challenge on its own. But when brought together into a robust plan, these steps allow farmers to manage pressure, safeguard yields and protect cropping options for the future.”
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