With nitrogen prices nearing £300 per tonne, variable yields from oil seed rape and strengthening prices for pulse crops, more growers are deciding to plant winter beans this autumn, says chemical company BASF.

This autumn sees further significant change in use of chemicals, namely the loss of simazine, which will force growers to reconsider their weed control options. BASF is now reminding growers that the residual-acting herbicide Nirvana could well become the preferred option for weed control in winter beans in the future.

Jonathan Ball, BASF legume product manager, said: “Containing imazamox and pendimethalin, Nirvana was introduced to the UK market last year and is recommended pre-emergence in all varieties of winter beans, as well as in vining peas, combining peas and spring beans. With the loss of simazine, it is bound to take a significant position in the market as it provides strong residual activity and excellent over-winter weed control, with very good crop safety.”

Nirvana controls the most important weeds in winter beans. To help get the best from the chemical this autumn, BASF’s Steve Dennis advises growers to make sure that seed is fully covered and drilled to a depth of at least 25mm settled soil. “It is important to level and consolidate loose, cloddy or open tilth before application, particularly if winter beans are sown by broadcasting and ploughing-in of the seed,” he said. “The recent milder autumns have made it easier to produce better seedbeds for beans, which will, of course, improve the overall efficacy of the pre-emergence herbicides. Nirvana is applied pre-emergence of the crop and should not be applied once the crop plumule is less than 13 mm from the soil surface. The soil and seedbed requirements and precautions are essentially the same as for the residual-acting Stomp 400 SC.”

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