Controlling blackgrass
Effective mechanical fight against blackgrass – with tined weeders and field cultivators
Blackgrass is one of the biggest weed problems in winter cereal in many regions. High reproduction rates, strong competitive power, and widespread herbicide resistance, especially to ACCase and ALS inhibitors, are increasingly limiting the effectiveness of chemicals. Mechanical measures such as weeding and flat tillage are becoming increasingly important, especially where herbicides reach their limits.
The biology of blackgrass gives important information for the practice: Since most of it germinates in the fall, it is primarily the management before and around seeding that determines the later weed pressure. Since the blackgrass seeds are mainly found in the upper soil layers, early seeding dates and patchy stands help its establishment. The aim is therefore to bring forward germination in a targeted manner, remove seedlings early, and give the crop a competitive advantage.
The most important measures for fighting against blackgrass summed up:
- Wide crop rotation
- Seedbed preparation & seeding (e.g., fake seedbed, sowing rates, etc.)
- Soil cultivation strategy (e.g., flat stubble cultivation)
- Weeding & hoeing
Wide crop rotations
A diverse crop rotation is considered one of the most important levers. Summer crops such as corn, soybeans, sugar beets, or grain legumes interrupt the life cycle of blackgrass and enable more intensive mechanical control. At the same time, later seeding dates in winter cereals reduce the synchronisation of crops and weeds.
Preparing the fake seedbed
In this context, the “fake seedbed” has proven effective, whereby the soil is flatly tilled before seeding and the emerged weeds are then removed mechanically with a powerful, finely adjustable tined weeder or with a non-selective herbicide. “Once the fake seedbed has been created with the seedbed cultivator, either heavy weeding before seeding or blind weeding shortly after seeding can be done!” explains our product management team.
Adapted tillage
In addition, crop management and tillage play a central role. Competitive varieties adapted sowing densities, later sowing dates, and an even seedbed promote rapid crop closure. Immediately after harvesting, flat and full-surface tillage should be done, what trigger germination and gradually reduce the seed pool. A single, targeted ploughing operation can be useful in cases of severe infestation. However, it should be viewed critically as an annual measure, as it repeatedly brings new seeds to the surface.
The principle here is: “It is not the single measure that counts, but the sum of many small, consistent steps.”
Conventional weeding & hoeing of blackgrass
Mechanical methods are also gaining importance in conventional arable farming, especially when used early and under suitable conditions. Timing and crop stage are crucial for success. “Tined weeders, rotative weeders, and row-crop cultivators are particularly effective in the early stages of weed development, while summer crops offer particularly good opportunities for intensive control,” says our product management team, based on customer experience.
Chemical measures remain an important component. However, their effectiveness increasingly depends on how well they are integrated into an overall arable farming concept. Gradual strategies with soil herbicides in the fall and early corrections in the spring have proven effective, provided that the application conditions are suitable.
Weeding blackgrass with the AEROSTAR-ROTATION
Its aggressive working makes it easy to weed out blackgrass.
In summary:
It has been shown in practice that a multi-year approach is particularly successful in controlling or fighting against blackgrass. The combination of crop rotation, late sowing, adapted stubble management, mechanical control, and targeted use of herbicides can significantly reduce blackgrass infestation. Experience show that consistent use of several control measures can significantly reduce blackgrass pressure. This takes time and consistency but pays off in the long run.
“Blackgrass cannot be controlled in a single season or with a single machine, but with a clear plan over several years and also adaptions to the basic farming practices!“
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