In addition to it's other uses, Kamba 600 herbicide from Nufarm now has a label claim for broadleaf weed control in straight plantain swards once the crop has reached the two to four true leaf stage.
 

Paul Addison, Nufarm technical specialist, says this relatively early application timeframe means farmers and contractors can hit weeds when they’re still small and highly susceptible to herbicide treatment.
 

“This is an important point of difference, and sets Kamba apart in this market. The later crops are sprayed, the bigger any weeds are.”
 

Trials have shown at the recommended rate of 600 mL per ha, Kamba 500 applied to plantain at two to four leaves gives good control of many spring germinating weeds like fathen and black nightshade.
 

Importantly, it’s also particularly effective against Amaranthus species, which can be difficult to control, Addison says.
 

Sprayed plantain will show some twisting and stunting after application, but the crop recovers with no effect on establishment or performance after the first grazing, which is generally recommended no earlier than the six true leaf stage.
 

Kamba 500 is best suited to pure plantain paddocks since it is very damaging to clovers.
 

However, Kamba 500 has a relatively short plant-back period for clovers. If farmers want to add clover later, Addison says they need to wait only a month after spraying the herbicide before sowing clover seed.
 

Use of the plantain has been growing in recent years.
 

This is expected to accelerate following Agricom’s launch of Ecotain environmental plantain last season, which highlighted the crop’s ability to reduce nitrogen leaching from urine patches.
 

Paul Addison says there’s been a lot of industry interest in Nufarm’s work to register Kamba 500 for plantain, and the company is happy the new claim has been approved in time for use on new season crops.
 

For more detail contact your local Nufarm territory manager.