New Label Changes To Specticle Herbicide

Ongoing investment in R&D to deliver new and innovative solutions for Australian turf managers continues to be a core focus for our Turf team.  In late October, we received confirmation that an application to add more weed species to the list of weeds controlled to the Specticle^® label, as well as an extension of the labelled use patterns was approved by the APVMA. 

In addition to the weeds that have been on the Specticle label since launch in 2016 - Poa annua, Crowsfoot grass and Summer grass - Specticle is now labelled for pre-emergent control of key broadleaf weed species in turf such as Bindii, White Clover, Plantain, Capeweed and Chickweed, as well as a new grass species, Brome Grass. 

It wasn’t long after launch in mid-2016 that we began to receive positive feedback from customers about how Specticlehelped improve consistency of their surfaces and reduced the need for post-emergent herbicide applications by achieving higher levels of pre-emergent grass and broadleaf weed control compared to pre-emergent products used previously.  Results achieved with Specticle in 2020, one of the most difficult winter seasons in terms of weed infestation in recent times (especially Bindii and Poa Annua), across sportsfields, golf and passive recreational turf, has only reinforced the value of Specticle to turf managers seeking to maintain weed-free turf surfaces.

To prevent a repeat of these weed challenges from 2020, application of Specticlein the late summer, prior to Bindii germination will prevent infestation, and reduce reliance on traditional post-emergent broadleaf herbicide applications in the winter and spring, when ground and weather conditions, plus the sheer size of turf areas requiring treatment can present a challenge to ensure spray applications are made prior to Bindii setting seed in the spring.

Preventing warm-season sports turf and passive recreation surfaces against the infestation of winter annual weeds like Poa annua, Bindii and white clover can achieve three key results:

1. Optimise surface quality, consistency and safety.
2. Reduce weed competition for warm-season turf, optimising recovery from dormancy and enhancing transition of surfaces for summer sport.
3. Reduce public inconvenience associated with broadleaf weeds like Bindii and white clover if flowering and seed set occurs before post-emergent herbicide application.

The new Specticle label also includes a use pattern to allow the product to be used for pre-emergent weed control to maintain bare ground in many landscapes and hardscapes areas in and around maintained sports turf facilities, such as fence-lines, cart paths and other pathways, gravel and sandy waste areas, and parking lots.  The addition of this use pattern to the Specticle label will allow turf managers to reduce maintenance time to manage weeds with mechanical (e.g. whipper snippers) or chemical means (e.g. reduce glyphosate applications) and generally improve the efficiency of presenting the desired aesthetics around their facility.

Lastly, the new Specticle label contains additional guidance on product application to ensure outstanding results and turf safety on sites with very sandy soils and low organic matter content, and also on Kikuyu turf. 

Envu remains committed to its ongoing investment in research and product stewardship to assist turf managers to build highly effective and sustainable weed control programs that improve outcomes and manage resistance.

To find out more information, reach out to our team.

Always read the label before use.