Key Points:
- Managing land that has become infested with Broomcorn millet (BCM) is possible, but it requires motivation and attention to detail.
- Identify the level of infestation in the paddock. If the weed has spread throughout the paddock consider planting something other than sweet corn or maize. Use this opportunity to manage the BCM with the appropriate herbicide programme for your crop. Ensure that the fence lines and non-cropped areas are included in the control programme.
- If the BCM is confi ned to parts of the paddock, mark these areas and regularly monitor weed development. Control with herbicides while the BCM is small; at the 2-3 leaf stage.
- Consider planting the crop early or late in the season. Earlier planted crops may be able to out-compete the BCM and later plantings allow some preliminary control.
- A pre-emergent herbicide followed by nicosulfuron will provide effective control.
- Nicosulfuron is registered for both sweet corn and maize. It will kill smaller BCM plants, 2-3 leaf stage and will prevent seed production in larger plants as long as the coverage is adequate. Consult the label for the appropriate concentration, water rate and with-holding period. Use suffi cient water to get complete coverage. Early application is the best option as BCM is quick to set seed and will reduce crop yield if it gets away.
- Monitoring is important and more than one application may be necessary.
- Sprayer droppers and band spraying provide a targeted approach to covering the weeds and avoiding the sensitive part of the crop - the leaf whorls, thereby decreasing the likelihood of damaging the crop.