Liberator

Effective control of grass-weeds requires a robust herbicide programme. Liberator provides the crucial first step in that programme, with excellent pre-emergence control of black-grass and other grass-weeds, plus a range of broad-leaved weeds.

When used as a pre-emergence herbicide, Liberator reduces the number of weeds that a post-emergence herbicide – such as Atlantis Star – has to control.  This improves overall weed control while reducing the potential to select for resistant weeds.

Key advantages

• Approved for use with all varieties of winter wheat, winter barley, spring wheat and spring barley

• White, suspension formulation, with a low, inoffensive odour and non-staining qualities

• Reliable residual control even in dry autumn conditions

• Winter oilseed rape, winter wheat, winter barley, winter leaf brassicas and winter field beans may be drilled the following autumn.

• Sugar beet, spring wheat, spring barley, potatoes, spring oilseed rape, peas, spring field beans, edible brassicas and onions may be drilled the following spring.

We recommend that you apply Liberator pre-emergence, ideally within 48 hours of drilling. When applying pre-emergence, seed should be covered with a minimum of 32mm of settled soil. Good weed control depends on burying any trash or straw before, or during, seedbed preparation. Seedbeds must have a firm, fine tilth.

If pre-emergence spraying for black-grass and Italian ryegrass in winter wheat has been delayed, tank-mix Liberator with Atlantis OD and biopower and apply in the autumn when black-grass is at the one to three-leaf stage.

When is the best time to apply Liberator?

Liberator came to market in 2004, and trials conducted since then have demonstrated that Liberator is best used as a true pre-emergence herbicide. That means, spraying within 48 hours of drilling at the appropriate dose rate.

As a rule, if there is enough moisture to drill, then there is enough moisture to activate Liberator’s active ingredient components.

Liberator should be used as part of a robust weed control programme. Liberator typically gives up to 80% control. The addition of aclonifen, in the form of Proclus, can increase control by 10-15% over straight Liberator.

Use Liberator as part of an integrated weed control programme of cultural and chemical control. Aim to use herbicides from different HRAC mode of action groups within and between seasons.

You can follow Liberator with a post-emergence spray once crop and remaining black-grass has germinated, but while black-grass plants are still small and easier to control.  In winter wheat. This could be Atlantis OD in autumn or Atlantis Star from 1 February.

• Always follow WRAG (Weed Resistance Action Group) guidelines for preventing and managing herbicide resistant weed

• Typical levels of black-grass control provided by a pre-emergence application of Liberator range from 60 to 80%

• Optimising the control of grass-weeds prior to pre-emergence treatment dramatically reduces the population

• Do not use Liberator as a stand-alone treatment for black-grass control. Use in a tank-mix or sequences with effective herbicides with other modes of action.

• Do not use Liberator as the sole means of controlling grass-weeds and broad-leaved weeds in successive crops.