Reduction of herbicide inputs in winter cereals by the adjustment of herbicide mixtures and variation of dose to the target infestation -: results of the trials in the states Brandenburg, Hessen, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia

At the usual weed control time in autumn, at BBCH growth stage 10-11 of cereals (EPPO), broad-leaved weeds and grasses have often not emerged. Herbicide application practice is often preventive. This evaluation consisted of 476 untreated plots of field trials in 1995-2004. The later assessment in untreated plots indicated that Apera spica-venti L. (silky bentgrass) required control in only 50% of all the investigated cases. The broad-leaved weeds should be controlled in less than 30%. In field trials in the five states herbicide mixtures were tested. The results show that despite the use of reduced application rates, good control of the target infestations was achieved. With these herbicide combinations the input of active ingredient/area can be better adapted to the treatment frequency index. The second treatment in spring is only necessary in exceptional cases of higher infestation of target weeds.