Proclus

Effective pre-emergence control is a key step in controlling black-grass, Italian ryegrass and other grass-weeds. Using Proclus in a tank-mix with Liberator achieves high-levels of control thanks to three modes of action with root and shoot activity.

Proclus is approved for use in both winter wheat and winter barley. It is for pre-emergence use only and performs best as part of a tank-mix with Liberator or other flufenacet-based chemistry such as Octavian Met and Alternator Met. It can also be mixed with prosulfocarb and pendimethalin to good effect.

Aclonifen acts on the shoots as they emerge by forming a film on the soil surface. This site of activity complements flufenacet which is soil mobile and works on the roots.

Aclonifen acts on the shoots as they emerge. When applied it forms a film on the soil surface to control emerging shoots. This site of activity complements flufenacet which is soil mobile and works on the roots.

Aclonifen is less reliant on soil moisture for efficacy than some other actives, so it still achieves good control in drier conditions. It is also moderately persistent, protecting crops from late emerging weeds during autumn.

Use Proclus in a tank-mix with other chemistry at pre-em. Follow the same practice as Liberator applications at the true pre-em timing. Apply within 48 hours of drilling to a fine, consolidated seedbed free of trash or clods. Aclonifen is not as dependent on soil moisture as the flufenacet in Liberator so there is potentially a little more flexibility to use in dry conditions. However, the best results still come when applications are made with a little soil moisture around.

Before using Proclus to boost pre-emergence performance, make sure that suitable cultural controls are in place. Delay drilling as late as reasonably possible, ideally mid–late October, which helps to reduce weed germination in the crop.

Drilling in October also increases soil moisture levels which improves flufenacet efficacy. It also extends the residual protection further into autumn because cooler, shorter days increase the longevity of pre-em herbicides which degrade due to light and heat.

Liberator + Proclus provides all-round pre-emergence control of grass-weeds and broad-leaved weeds in winter wheat when used in accordance with the following application guidelines:

• Must be applied pre-emergence of the crop, ideally within 48 hours of drilling

• Apply uniformly to a fine, firm seedbed to form a homogenous layer

• Do not disturb the soil after application as this will affect the efficacy of the products

• Observe drilling depth requirements on product labels (32 mm of settled soil for both products)

• Apply using a horizontal boom sprayer, in 200-400 litres of water per hectare as a MEDIUM spray (BCPC category)

• Use application rate of 1.4 L/ha Proclus in wheat and 1 l/ha Proclus in barley.

Aclonifen is a unique mode of action, the only member of HRAC Group 32. It is still relatively new for UK agriculture and has no known resistance problems. Used in partnership with flufenacet, it helps protect flufenacet from further resistance and sensitivity shifts that have already been identified on some farms.

Other actives such as metribuzin, prosulfocarb and pendimethalin can be safely mixed with aclonifen to improve control and prevent resistance. Always use Proclus within an integrated programme that uses diverse modes of action and non-chemical methods to control weeds.