Octavian MetPlant Protection Product ComparisonPlant Protection Product ComparisonReport inaccuraciesReport inaccuracies

Octavian Met is a new option for weed control in winter barley and winter wheat. Available to use at pre-emergence and as a residual top up it provides a good option for black-grass, brome and broad-leaved weed control.

It is a three-way coformulation of metribuzin, flufenacet and diflufenican. The addition of metribuzin to flufenacet provides improved grass weed and broad-leaved weed control compared to Liberator.

The metribuzin component is primarily root acting but also has some activity against shoot which means it is a strong candidate to use for top up applications. The addition of metribuzin provides up to 10% more black-grass control at the full rate compared to straight Liberator.

Octavian Met is a simple, way to apply three effective actives for weed control throughout the autumn.

Using a range of actives in the autumn programme boosts weed control and manages resistance risk. Octavian Met delivers an entirely new active for UK cereals – metribuzin – as well as the reliable performers flufenacet and diflufenican as found in Liberator. It is a flexible option as it is suitable for early drilled crops and top up applications until the end of November.

There are two application rates for Octavian Met, 1l/ha until 30 September or 0.5 l/ha until 30 November. The 1l/ha is a very good option for weed control in early drilled cereals including winter barley. The wide spectrum of grass weed and broad-leaved weeds controlled mean it can keep things tidy and allow crops to establish well in a range of situations. In later drilled crops, the 0.5l/ha rate is most useful as a top up rather than the main pre-emergence herbicide. The shoot activity means it provides some control of established weeds as well as preventing further germination.

For pre-emergence applications, apply within 48 hours of drilling to get the best results. For all applications, ensure the seedbed is in good condition and free of clods and trash to get the best results.

CROP SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Good weed control depends on burying any trash or straw before or during seedbed preparation.
Seed beds must have a firm, fine tilth. Loose or cloddy seed beds must be consolidated otherwise crop damage may result due to inadequate seed cover. For pre-emergence treatments, seed should be covered with a minimum of 32 mm of settled soil.
Use at a rate of 0.5 or 1.0 litres of product/ha according to weeds present and growth stage.
Apply via a horizontal boom sprayer. Apply in 100–400 L/ha as a MEDIUM spray (BCPC category). Use the higher volume where crop or weed foliage is dense. A spray pressure of at least 2 bars is advised. Good, even spray coverage of soil and weeds is essential. Take extreme care to avoid overlapping spray swaths, particularly when applying preemergence, or damage may occur and this may result in yield reductions in some cases.
To prevent damage, extreme care must be taken to avoid drift onto neighbouring crops.
Chlorosis or stunting of the crop may be observed, particularly where applications are made to crops grown on light free draining soils. This effect is transitory in nature and there will normally be no adverse impact on grain yield.
Apply pre or post-emergence of the crop, up to and including the fifth tiller stage (GS 25) and before the end of November in the year of planting. If applications are made after the end of September, the maximum total dose must not exceed 0.5 L/ha.

MIXING
Half fill the spray tank with clean water and add the required amount of Octavian Met. Wash out the container and add the washings to the spray solution, before topping up with clean water. Maintain continuous agitation of spray solution during mixing and loading and until spraying is complete. Do not leave the sprayer filled with the spray solution standing for longperiods. Wash out the sprayer thoroughly after use using a wetting agent or proprietary tank cleaner with two rinses.