WINTER wheat growers have been urged to capitalise on this autumn’s good seedbeds to get a head start against black-grass now that drilling has started.

Stephen Williams, Syngenta technical manager, said the preparation of firm, fine seedbeds should help get better results from soil-acting pre-emergence herbicides – where there is sufficient soil moisture.

That, in turn, should ease the pressure on follow-up post-emergence herbicide chemistry, which is especially useful where there are concerns about resistance.

Mr Williams said: “There’s no doubt we are seeing some fantastic seedbeds being prepared in parts of the country this season probably aided by good levels of soil moisture.

“Better seedbeds help to encourage more even blackgrass germination during the period of activity of residual herbicides, rather than delayed flushes.”

Finer seedbeds also allow more even coverage of preemergence sprays over the soil surface, rather than leaving inaccessible areas in and around clods.

And good soil moisture should aid weed germination and so herbicide uptake.