Yamato® 480 SC from Philagro has repeatedly demonstrated its efficacy in South Africa since its introduction five years ago, with exceptional weed control for farmers in maize producing areas. This product remains a proven trump card in the fight against stubborn weed species in maize fields.

Tough and resistant grass and broadleaf weeds have an adverse effect on maize plant development, and this is where Yamato® shows its mettle. With its unique chemistry, this product offers effective control of a wide variety of weed species in numerous soil types; with customisable pre- and post-emergence application options.

Resistant grass and broadleaf weed species, including stubborn nut-grass, remain a challenge for maize farmers in their search for effective control of weed competition in maize fields. Philagro’s local research trials have shown that Yamato® offers safe crop protection and can be used in a highly adaptable manner depending on each farmer’s specific needs.

Unique chemistry

Yamato® was discovered by Kumiai Chemical Industry in Japan and has already been commercialised worldwide with great success in a wide variety of crops and growing conditions. The active ingredient, pyroxasulfone, already boasts an enviable reputation in several countries for effective control of hard-to-control weeds.

From a technical perspective, pyroxasulfone inhibits weeds early in the germination process. It is mainly taken up by the coleoptile of grasses and also by the hypocotyl and roots of broadleaf weed seedlings.

Several locally proven combinations with other registered herbicides now offer South African maize farmers proven options for safe, long-acting weed control.

In addition, Yamato®, powered by “AXEEV Technology”, boasts numerous outstanding advantages, including its suitability for almost all soil types, regardless of clay content, and it is safe to use pre- and even post-emergence in maize.

Furthermore, Yamato® uses 10 to 20 times less active ingredient than other similar, comparable products (for example: one litre of formulated product can treat nearly 10 hectares). In addition, pyroxasulfone’s solubility in water is relatively low, so Yamato® leaches less and the product stays in the top layer of the soil longer, where grass and small-seeded broadleaf weeds usually germinate.

A study in Northern Colorado, US, during 2009/2010 indicates that the half-life of pyroxasulfone is approximately 20% longer than that of S-metolachlor (47 versus 39 days)¹. This indicates a slower degradation rate which may result in a longer residual effect. All this naturally leads to additional benefits and savings in storage space, transport and other costs.

Controlling nut-grass remains a challenge for maize farmers. Yamato®, in combination with glyphosate 540, can be applied with great success to small, actively growing weeds, with very acceptable control results.

Reliable crop safety

Extensive trials in South Africa and several other countries show that Yamato® tank mixes and spraying programmes with Yamato® combined according to label recommendations are extremely reliable in terms of crop safety.

Due to the variety of growing conditions in the different regions of the country, and the occurrence of various grass and broadleaf weed species and their combinations, Philagro’s researchers are currently recommending a total of 14 possible product concepts with Yamato® as the anchor product. These combinations (which include mesotrione, atrazine/terbuthylazine and glyphosate) have been developed specifically for regions with different climatic conditions and zones with specific resistant and difficult-to-control weed species in mind.

Depending on the type of weeds and weed pressure, it can be applied once or even twice.

Yamato® is available in the northern maize producing region and can be purchased from AECI Plant Health, Farmers Agricare, Inteligro, AgroCentre and Agronamic.

For more information about this product, visit www.philagro.co.za or call Bennie Buys on 082-809-5447.

Yamato® 480 SC (Reg No L10746, Act 36 of 1947) contains pyroxasulfone; (Pyrazole) 480 g/ℓ Warning. Yamato® is the registered trademark of Kumiai Chemical Industry Co Ltd, Japan. READ THE LABEL BEFORE USE./Warning/May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.