cropprotection

EMEAcropprotection

EMEA

Safe usage of Roundup in conservationtillage systems

Dr. Wolfgang Voegler, Prague June, 2011

cropprotection

EMEAAgenda 

2

Tillage systems per definition

Advantages of Conversation tillage systems

„Green bridge“

Use recommendations

cropprotection

EMEAConservation tillage is the ONLY chanceunder such soil conditions

3

cropprotection

EMEATillage sytems per definition

4

Conservationtillage

ConservationTillage

ConventionalTillage (Plough)

No‐Till, Direct Drill

Tillage system DrillingSeedbed preparationMain tillage

Source: KTBL, 1998

The more soil tillage is reduced the higher is the risk to fail! 

cropprotection

EMEA

5

Conservation tillage has a lot of advantagesTraditional 

Food production

“TraditionalMethod”

Conservation tillage

=

less traffic &Technical problems

time & manpower saving

+

less fuel

+

water infiltration

+ + ++ + +

Water Quality

CO2 Emission Air pollution soil fertility bioderversity

safes safes safes

2 h / ha&

2 or more passes in the 

field=

~

30  l / ha

improved

• organic material on the soil surface

• earth wormpopulation • more soil pores

•Soil ersosionreduced by93%• 70 % lesseintrags bis70% reduced • up to 99 % less water run off 

improved reducedreduced

by1,2 ‐ 1,7 t / ha

•Reduced wind erosion 

•Less tillage operations =reduced CO2 /CH4sequestration

Organic mattercontent

improved improved

Protection,food

Conservation TillageBenefits & Advantages – a short statement

cropprotection

EMEAConservation tillage – some pointsto be considered

Overall trend to cereal concentration in the crop rotationExample: WW‐WW‐WB – OSR 

better: OSR – WW – Legume – WW/WB

Short time frame for tillage operations, essp. If early drillings (WW ‐> WW)Work in parallel (harvest, soil tillage, drilling….)

Crop management has to consider CT specifics like:Higher organic matter content (straw, crop residues) on the surfaceHigher soil moisture content = lower temperature = different N‐mineralizationChange in the weed as well as disease spectrum possible

6

cropprotection

EMEANecessery system adoptionsStraw management

Fragmentation and equal distribution

Equipment for stubble cultivation

Just a few cm, break soil compaction upfront

Drilling equipment

Drilling into a straw soil free horizon, „strip till“

Reduced tyre pressure to reduce soil compaction

Weed management

Leaf active vs. soil active compounds

Brome, perennial weeds (CIRAR; AGGRE is not a problem)

Disease Management

Fusarium; HTR/DTR

Fertilization

Different timing of N‐application, liquid fertilizers

………..

System adoptions are feasible!7

cropprotection

EMEAStraw management is very important forthe success of Conservation tillage

8

Optimum: 1…5 cm

1 cm depth ~ 1 l Diesel/ha

Room for improvement!

Much better: short stubble and equal straw distribution

cropprotection

EMEATillage scheme – just one example

9

(Roundup before harvestto control perennial weeds= clean start)

Roundup after emergenceof volunteers and weeds~ 2…3 weeksafter harvest= Control of „Green bridge“

Shallow cultivation just a fewcentimetersStraw distribution, N‐fertlisation 30….60 kg N

Reduced tillage or direct drilling

Clean start and control of „Green Bridge“ is the FIRST step for a successfullintroduction of Conservation tillage systems

cropprotection

EMEA

10

Why? ‐ Just a few examples of the negative impact of the “Green Bridge”

Ceuthorhynchus napi

Psylliodeschrysocephalus

Brassicogethesaeneus

Mice

Fotos: BASF, DSV

Snails

Aphids

cropprotection

EMEA

11

Consequences if „Green Bridge“ wasnot controlled

11

Brome in wheat, volunteer winter barley etc.

Rye or wheat in w.barley

cropprotection

EMEARoundup application is reducing plant diseases like Plasmodiophora brassicae

cropprotection

EMEAEarly control of the „Green Bridge“ withRoundup should be a common practice

13

Untreated 1080 G AE 1080 G AE 720 G AE/haHeight @ application:    OSR: 20….30 cm OSR 10 cm 

cropprotection

EMEAGlyphosate Fate in Soil

• Tightly absorbed to clay particles and cations present in the soil, tank, or leaf surface.  Thus, leading to reduced bioactivity and no soil residual herbicidal activity.

• Degraded mainly by microbial decomposition to the natural products, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, phosphate, and water.  Half‐life in the soil varies, but common ranges are 30‐45 days. 

• Even if Glyphosate is dedected in the soil it does not automatically mean thatit is available for plants!

• There is no negativ impact on the microbial activity.

• Runoff and leaching is not an issue

cropprotection

EMEAMicrobial activity (C02 production) after GLY application

15Source: Machulla, Hohenheim Nov. 2009

Plough Reduced till No Till

Gly application has no negativimpact on the microbialactivity. 

A higher microbial activitymeans also a fasterdegradation of appliedchemicals!

days

Soil matrix upper soil

Soil matrix deeper soil

Macro pores upper soil

Macro pores deeper soil

cropprotection

EMEAGLY damage ?

16Source: Naeser LfULG Fachgespräch, 23.11.2010

GLY damage due to product leaching after rainfall?

Direct drilled cereals after catch crop

cropprotection

EMEARight drilling equipment?

17

cropprotection

EMEAA much better option

18Straw, organic material should be removed from the drilling row

cropprotection

EMEAConclusion

Roundup® products have been widely used for more than 30 years, are safe for the environment and crops.

Growers experiences with Roundup® brands have been extremelypositive including excellent weed control and profit potential.

Roundup® products – are key for success of conservation tillagesystems.

cropprotection

EMEA

20

Many thanks

Wolfgang.voegler@monsanto.com