MORE PROFIT FROM BETTER WEED CONTROL

The control of weeds is vital to ensure a healthy and vigorous crop. Weeds compete for moisture and nutrients, preventing the crop from reaching its full size and market value. Without weeds, access is easier and quicker for tree spraying and pruning. Long grass and weeds increase harvesting costs because they slow down the work rate of pickers. Weeds are often a source of viral and fungal diseases and a host for insect pests. You can tell a well-managed orchard, plantation, vineyard or market garden by the absence of weeds where it matters – under the treelines, down the middles and around work and storage areas.

ROUNDUP® - NOTHING LIKE IT – GUARANTEED

Roundup herbicide is ideal for weed control in orchards, plantations, vineyards and market gardens. Not only is Roundup one of the most effective herbicides in the world, it is of low toxicity and easy on the environment. The use of Roundup reduces the need for cultivation to control weeds, and therefore reduces the potential for soil erosion.

RELIABLE WEED CONTROL

Unlike some other herbicides, when Roundup enters the plant, it translocate's (i.e. moves through the sap stream) throughout the plant, killing it roots and all. So there’s no risk of regrowth of the sprayed weeds.

COMPLETE WEED CONTROL

Roundup is non-selective, controlling a wide range of grass and broadleaf weeds. Roundup will control hard to kill weeds like Paspalum, Couch and Kikuyu, as well as the easy to kill ones like Ryegrass, Capeweed and Doublegee. Roundup controls the whole weed, not just the foliage, so it will not regrow. This gives more complete and certain control than most other knockdown herbicides.

ECONOMICAL

Weeding and “mowing” with Roundup is very economical compared to the time, labour and fuel needed for weed control by any manual or mechanical method – a genuine aid to productivity in horticulture.

LOW TOXICITY

Roundup has relatively low toxicity, even when compared to many materials used in everyday life, such as salt or aspirin. It poses minimal hazard to man, wildlife and the environment and can be used with confidence.

BREAKS DOWN IN SOIL

After application, any Roundup that reaches the soil is tightly bound to soil particles and will not wash off, nor remain active. Roundup herbicide is rapidly broken down in soil and water to natural products – carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen and phosphates. Roundup will not adversely affect soil microorganisms; in fact they actually feed on it to break it down! It does not adversely affect the natural breakdown of plant matter in the soil. A herbicide that is truly easy on the environment.

TANK MIXING

Roundup can be tank mixed with residual herbicides to give long-term weed control under certain situations.

NO MECHANICAL DAMAGE

Unlike mechanical tillage, Roundup does not cause soil disturbance, root pruning or trunk bruising. Shallow feeder roots are left intact and the soil structure is not adversely affected. Tillage implements often damage irrigation lines, cause erosion and surface sealing which reduces water penetration and causes excess water run-off, which potentially reduces harvest size, quality and value. Water run-off may make the use of harvesting equipment difficult.

WEED CONTROL AROUND THE FARM

Around buildings, sheds and equipment areas – Roundup herbicide is ideal for weed control around many farm areas including:

These areas are the centre of your farm’s activity. Controlling weeds in these areas will prevent them spreading to valuable crop areas. Controlling weeds around your farm gives it a more managed appearance. Weed growth around buildings can pose a fire hazard when it dies off at the end of the growing season. An early clean-up spray with Roundup herbicide avoids this problem.

ALONG CHANNELS AND DRAINS

Weeds growing in your channels and drains are a real problem. They can block supply and drainage channels, reducing water flow. This can upset irrigation operations and the growth of crops and it means more time spend monitoring the water. Weeds can block drains when you need them most, causing flooding.

WATER MANAGEMENT

In many cases you will want to control weeds in channels and drains that are regularly used. It is best to plan your weed control operation to fit in with irrigation schedules. (Water from waterways treated with Roundup herbicide is acceptable for irrigation of crops).

CITRUS, POME FRUIT, NUTS & OLIVES

Excellent weed control can be achieved by spraying up to the base (brown bark) of trees over three years of age. The spray may contact the brown bark of the tree without injury. For trees less than three years of age, use a protective sleeve around the base or shielded sprayer.

STONE FRUIT

Do not allow spray or spray drift to contact any part of the tree including foliage, green stems, suckers or bark, as severe injury may result. The use of protective sleeve around the base of trees, and/or shielded sprayers will enable control around the base of trees.

VINEYARDS

Winter or spring weeds can be sprayed any time after leaf fall. Whenever leaves are present, care should be taken to minimise spray contact with them. Excellent weed control can be achieved by spraying up to the base of vines over three years of age, as spray may contact brown bark of the vine without injury. For vines less than three years of age, use a protective sleeve around the base or a shielded sprayer.

WEED CONTROL DOWN THE MIDDLES

Slashing grass down the “middles” between rows in orchards lets grasses and broadleaf weeds flourish below the surface establishing an extensive, water and nutrient-hungry root system. Rotary hoeing or ploughing the middles is damaging because it can cause soil compaction (a plough pan) beneath the surface, preventing correct penetration of irrigation water, as well as creating dust for potential crop damage or increase of disease. “Chemical mowing” with Roundup herbicide stunts middles vegetation and holds back leaf and root growth. Trials conducted in California show that if you limit weed growth in the “middles” at the times when the trees have leaves, you can reduce water use up to 21 percent.

Chemical mowing permits a mat of controlled grass to remain, allowing water infiltration, reduces potential for erosion and retains heat that reduces the risk of frost damage. Application via a well-calibrated sprayer is recommended. One effective alternative unit is the Enviromist Spraymiser®. This unit uses a controlled droplet applicator under a protective cowling. It saves herbicide and can be used in light wind conditions. The use of Roundup to control weeds (or only suppress them if needed), can be achieved at any time during the winter to spring/summer period. Best results are achieved on small weeds. Roundup is applied at a “low” rate to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. A water rate of 25 to 200L/ha should be used for normal hydraulic nozzles, while CDA water volumes can be as low as 20L/ha.

This technique can be used to control weeds or to knock down a cover crop later in the season. A cover crop of rye, barley, clover or lupins is desirable as it helps put nitrogen and organic bulk back in the soil. During the growing period of the cover crop, it should be slashed near flowing time to reduce the danger of frost. Later in the season it can be sprayed out with Roundup to prevent moisture and nutrient loss. This will leave the bulk on the ground to help build a better soil structure, reduce the risk of erosion and assist moisture retention. Additional spraying over summer to control summer annuals (e.g. Caltrop) allows for easy control of these problem weeds.