Voraxor Demonstration Report

Demonstrate the efficacy of application timings for BASF's Voraxor, compared to pipeline and existing chemistry for Broadleaf Weed control in wheat.

Hines Hill, WA, 2019

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A demonstration site was sown and established in Hines Hill on the 16th of May 2019, to demonstrate to the extended David Gray network the efficacy of BASF’s Voraxor, with the aim of evaluating different knockdown use patterns for flexible application timings, with respect to efficacy and crop safety. Examining Voraxor applied 16 days prior to seeding as well as applied IBS at seeding.

All treatments applied IBS achieved acceptable control of wild radish in the demonstration, with every treatment bar Terbyne +TriflurX achieving above 70% by 16 WAS. The best performing treatments contained group G herbicide, Terrain. Maintaining above 90% control throughout the season.

Voraxor + TriflurX applied 16 days prior to sowing performed well at the beginning of the season, with 80% control recorded at 6 WAS. The second application timing applied the same day as sowing IBS provided 94% control at 6 WAS, with only a 14% decline in residual activity by 16 WAS at 80% respectively.

Vigour reductions were seen mainly in treatments containing Terrain group G herbicide. Voraxor applied at both treatment dates had no effect on vigour relative to the control.

Yield data showed a positive yield response, for both Voraxor timings T1= 700kg/ha, T2= 660kg/ha. Treatments applied 16 days before sowing averaged 40kg more per ha compared to treatments applied immediately before sowing.

Objective

To evaluate and demonstrate Voraxor in a range of residual use patterns in wheat.

METHODOLOGY

RESULTS

Figure 1. Average percentage broadleaf weed control for pre-emergent treatments (%).

6 WAS assessments indicated control percentages of timing 1 and 2 at 94%, 84% respectively.

9 WAS assessments indicated control percentages of 92%, 83% respectively.

16 WAS assessments indicated control percentages of 80%, 78% respectively.

Statistical analysis using a standard ANOVA, indicated there was significant difference between treatments ( P< 0.001).

Figure 2. Average crop vigour percentage rating, relative to the control = 100, at assessment dates 6, 9 & 10 WAS.

Figure 3. Yield data, harvested on the 11th of November 2019, expressed as kg/ha.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

All treatments applied IBS achieved acceptable control of wild radish in the demonstration, with every treatment bar Terbyne +TriflurX achieving above 70% by 16 WAS. Illustrating how effective pre-emergent radish control options can be. In this demonstration, the best performing treatments contained group G herbicide, Terrain. Maintaining above 90% control throughout the season.

Furthermore Voraxor + TriflurX applied 16 days prior to sowing performed well at the beginning of the season, with 80% control recorded at 6 WAS. Keeping in mind the break of season was not until June 7th, Voraxor remained active in the soil for approximately 6 weeks before the crop was fully emerged, and the first assessment was conducted 12 weeks post application.

The second application Timing applied the same dayas sowing IBS provided 94% control at 6 WAS, with only a 14% decline in residual activity by 16 WAS at 80% respectively.

Vigour reductions were seen mainly in treatments containing Terrain group G herbicide.

Terrain and Terrain + Terbyne both impacted vigour, with gradual declines seen from 6 to 9 to 10 WAS. Vigour ratings for those weeks went from 95%-50% in Terrain plots, and 90%-70% in Terrain + Terbyne treated plots. Voraxor applied IBS at both treatment dates had no effect on vigour relative to the control.

Both use patterns provided effective control of wild radish by 16 WAS. Providing growers with flexibility around pre-emergent application timings, particularly in dryer years.

APPENDICES

Growing season rainfall

6 WAS

16 WAS

Crop vigour 9 WAS