Goosegrass threatens productivity and requires strategic management

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The grass crow's feet (Eleusine indica) is one of the most aggressive weeds in Brazilian agriculture. According to Embrapa, each specimen can produce 120 to 140 seeds, with a high germination capacity and rapid dispersal throughout the field.

In light of this scenario, UPL Brasil – part of the UPL Group (NSE: UPL, BSE: 512070, LSE: UPLL), a global provider of sustainable agricultural solutions – is warning farmers about the risks of infestation by this productivity enemy, whose management is challenging and could compromise the harvest of the next soybean crop.

Rafael Rovêa, herbicide marketing manager at UPL Brasil, explains: "Goosegrass has characteristics that make it easily adaptable to different soil types and climate conditions. This versatility allows it to establish itself in a variety of agricultural environments, causing direct and indirect damage to important crops, such as soybeans."

Losses can be significant: an infestation can reduce soybean yields by up to 80% (according to several research institutions), in addition to releasing toxic substances that hinder the development of crops, such as corn, hindering germination and root growth. Furthermore, intense competition from goosefoot grass for nutrients, water, sunlight, and space can reduce the availability of these essential resources for crops, compromising their healthy growth.

The UPL specialist also issues an important warning: "This weed can be a host to pathogens, such as viruses, fungi, and pests, which negatively impact the producer's profits. Not to mention that the presence of Eleusine indica It also makes harvesting difficult and can cause damage to machinery, linking the loss of productivity to a possible increase in costs for the farmer.”

The problem is exacerbated by growing resistance to certain active ingredients in several producing regions. This limits the effectiveness of conventional management practices. In this scenario, Rovêa highlights the role of innovative solutions in controlling crow's foot: "Thunder is a highly systemic herbicide developed by UPL that permeates the entire plant and provides effective control even in resistant populations. One of its distinguishing features is its ability to act on plants up to 15 cm tall, which expands the application window and increases control safety." In addition to crow's foot, the product effectively controls difficult targets such as horseweed, and brings a new active ingredient to soybean and corn management, combined with a novel mechanism of action.

Rogério Castro, CEO of UPL Brazil, adds: "With the proper use of Thunder, farmers have a unique tool at their disposal to maintain productivity, optimize input use, and produce profitably, even in the face of increasing weed resistance, such as gallgrass. All of this in a sustainable manner, reflecting UPL's commitment to innovation based on scientific research and rigorous testing that guarantee the quality of our portfolio."

To ensure maximum effectiveness, UPL recommends applying Thunder in combination with methylated soybean oil-based adjuvants, such as Strides, which improve the product's adhesion and penetration into leaves. This combination enhances weed control and contributes to safer and more sustainable management. UPL also recommends complete management, achieved with the sequential application of a herbicide such as Trunfo.