AstroKerb^®

Weeds Controlled

Technical Specifications

Product Registration Number:
MAPP 16184

Active Ingredient:
500 g/litre propyzamide + 5.3 g/litre aminopyralid

Pack Size:
10.0 Litres

Formulation:
Suspension Concentrate

Maximum Individual Dose:
1.7 L/ha – the blackgrass rate. In other situations use 1.5 L/ha

Maximum Total Dose:
One per crop

Latest Timing:
Before 1st Feb in the year of harvest

Water Volumes:
200 – 300 L/ha

Spray Quality:
MEDIUM as defined by the BCPC

LERAP:
None

ASTROKerb and oilseed rape straw

Do not bale or remove straw from the field unless it is to be used for burning for heat or electricity production.  The straw should be chopped and thoroughly incorporated after harvest.
Do not feed animals with treated straw, or use it for animal bedding, composting or mulching.
To optimise ASTROKerb's performance, there are three areas to be considered – soil temperature, soil moisture and weed seed depth. Soil temperatures need to be cooling - around 10ºC and falling at 30 cm depth, meaning the herbicide is slower to breakdown and that longer persistence is achieved throughout the weed germination period. 

Good levels of soil moisture are needed to help the herbicide distribute evenly in the top few centimetres of the soil thus the soil moisture deficit should be less than 50mm and falling. Soils must not be waterlogged or saturated. Care must be taken to avoid any risk of contamination to water and importantly, all aspects of good Stewardship applied.

The propyzamide in ASTROKerb forms a shallow layer in the soil, about 2.5-5cm. Blackgrass germinating below this will be poorly controlled. High levels of control are achieved where less mixing of the soil takes place (direct drilling etc.). Avoid deep cultivations in a preceding winter wheat crop.



Decades of trials and wide field experience across the UK has demonstrated that using full-rate Kerb Flo 500 or ASTROKerb in November onwards gives the most reliable and most persistent control of black-grass year after year.

Tank mixes, sequences and programmes

Wide range of fully supported tank mix partners
·         Centurion Max – do not tank mix – sequence only
·         Remember only 2 fop/dim applications can be made to an OSR crop. Consider a programmed approach with ASTROKerb to maximise volunteer cereal and other grass weed control.
·         Do not apply a three way mix of graminicide + fungicide + ASTROKerb
·         However use a programmed approach to free up a tank mix opportunity of ASTROKerb with a fungicide
·         Call Corteva Agriscience Hotline (0800 689 8899) for the latest on tank mix , sequences and programmes involving ASTROKerb

FAQs

Do I need a dry leaf for application of Kerb Flo 500 or AstroKerb?
The propyzamide active in Kerb Flo 500 is soil acting so spraying wet weeds at run-off or light rainfall after application is not an issue. Ideally, the rainfastness of ASTROKerb is 1 hour for the aminopyralid element. Spraying on a drying leaf is OK but if rainfall falls within 1 hour and causes run-off efficacy may be reduced. All applications should be made with due regard to water stewardship, i.e. do not spray where there is a risk of run-off to adjacent watercourses.

Can I apply Kerb Flo 500 or ASTROKerb in a frost?
Kerb Flo 500 may be applied in frosty conditions but avoid application onto frozen ground where subsequent rainfall could result in run-off into watercourses. For ASTROKerb please ensure frost is off the target broad-leaved weed.

Which broad-leaved weeds does ASTROKerb control over Kerb?
ASTROKerb applied at 1.5 L/ha or 1.7 L/ha will give very good control of small (2-4TL) mayweed, poppy, chickweed, groundsel and pansy.When applied at 1.7 L/ha, ASTROKerb can give high levels of control of mayweed and poppy (up to 8TL) and chickweed (up to 5 branches). Control of groundsel falls off after the 6TL stage, but is very good earlier.

What is the optimum timing for ASTROKerb?
When targeting blackgrass in winter oilseed rape we recommend soil temperatures at or below 10°C to get sufficient activity from propyzamide. Good control is achieved when a lethal concentration is reached in the weed. ASTROKerb will also give good control of poppy and mayweed at this timing.

Can the straw from oilseed rape treated with ASTROKerb be used for animal bedding?
Oilseed rape straw from crops treated with ASTROKerb needs to remain in the field and must not be baled and used for bedding. It may be removed from the field to be used for burning for heat or electricity production.

Resources

For more information, download:
AstroKerb® product label
AstroKerb label UK&IRL.
AstroKerb^® safety data sheet
AstroKerb UK SDS.
AstroKerb^® Tank Mix 
AstroKerb UK Tank Mix.
AstroKerb^® EIS
AstroKerb UK EIS.
AstroKerb^® Technical Information Sheet
AstroKerb UK Tech Sheet.