A residual herbicide approved in potato crops looks set to have pulses added to the label and its manufacturer hopes it will help to plug gaps left by key active ingredient losses.

Metobromuron – contained in products such as Praxim – has been familiar to potato growers as a pre-emergence weed killer since its registration in early 2015.

It is widely seen as an alternative to linuron – a key residual herbicide in spud crops – and is an active expected to be withdrawn within the next two years.

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Linuron is also a crucial active in peas and beans, used in partnership with clomazone in products such as Lingo and Linzone, and its loss will leave a big gap in pre-emergence weed control programmes.

Praxim manufacturer Belchim is confident the product will have pulse crops added to its label within the next two to three years to fill that gap.

The company’s marketing and developing manager Simon Leak told Farmers Weekly that he would like to see linuron remain available to pea and bean growers for as long as possible.

“But when is does go, however, it would be great if metobromuron is in position to fill a few gaps in a range of crops. We are confident of the approval, it’s just a case of the timescale,” he added.

If and when it is approved for use in pulse crops, the product will be for pre-emergence use only and recommended in partnership for other approved herbicide actives, such as clomazone or pendimethalin.

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