Growers using glyphosate to clean stubbles ahead of direct drilling spring crops are urged to remain vigilant this spring, following confirmation of the first case of glyphosate resistance on a farm in Kent. As Richard Allison reports for Farmers Weekly, the Weed Resistance Action Group (WRAG) today announced the discovery of the first field population of any weed to have glyphosate resistance in the UK.
Discovered in several fields in Kent, suspicions were initially raised as patches of Italian ryegrass (lolium multiflorum) survived appropriate applications of glyphosate prior to drilling spring crops. Further testing by ADAS of plants grown from seed collected on the farm showed the maximum rate failed to control plants when applied in ideal conditions in a glasshouse.
John Cussans, principle weed science consultant at Adas who led the research, says glyphosate is probably the most important herbicide for UK farmers and there is no obvious replacement, hence any case of resistance is concerning.
“But we must retain perspective; it’s resistance in one weed species on one farm, it is not a widespread problem yet.”
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