Weed control remains one of the most formidable challenges facing maize farmers across South Africa. Resistant grass and broadleaf weeds, coupled with increasingly troublesome onion weeds, have placed productivity and profitability under severe pressure over the years.

In this challenging environment, Yamato® 480 SC from Philagro has firmly established itself over the past six years as an undeniable trump card in maize weed management.

Yamato® has repeatedly proven its exceptional efficacy across all major maize-producing regions in the country. Farmers rely on this product not only for consistent control, but also for its operational flexibility, a quality that is becoming ever more vital as weed populations and weather conditions become increasingly unpredictable.

Effective control where it counts

 Tough, fast-growing weeds compete directly with young maize plants for water, nutrients and sunlight. Without effective early control, yield losses can start mounting within the first few weeks of the season. Yamato® tackles this problem head-on by inhibiting weeds right at their germination stage, delivering long-lasting, reliable residual control.

A significant advantage of Yamato® is its versatility: it can be applied both pre- and post-emergence in maize crops. This adaptability allows growers to tailor their weed management strategy precisely to their specific farming practices, soil types and weed pressure.

Filling a critical gap: post-emergence onion weed control

Onion weeds continue to rank among the biggest headaches in maize fields. Traditional control programmes often fall short, especially after the weeds have emerged. This is precisely where Yamato® makes a real difference and fills a major void in the market. Local research trials conducted by Philagro demonstrate that Yamato®, when combined with Roundup Powermax, can be applied with great success on small, actively growing onion weeds.

This tank mix provides maize farmers with a new and highly valuable management strategy where effective post-emergence onion weed control was previously limited. For farmers battling persistent onion weed infestations, this translates to better overall control and greater peace of mind.

Unique chemistry backed by world-class innovation

Yamato®’s active ingredient, pyroxasulfone, was developed by Kumiai Chemical Industry in Japan and is used successfully around the globe across various crops and conditions. The product works primarily through absorption by the coleoptile of grasses, as well as the hypocotyl and roots of broadleaf weed seedlings.

Thanks to AXEEV Technology, Yamato® offers excellent stability in the soil. Its low water solubility means reduced leaching and a longer presence in the topsoil layer, exactly where small weed seeds germinate. Studies¹ have also shown that pyroxasulfone has a longer half-life than certain standard alternatives, contributing to its extended residual effect.

Less active ingredient, greater value

Another key benefit of Yamato® is that it uses 10 to 20 times less active ingredient than many comparable products. A single litre of formulated product can treat up to nearly 10 hectares. This delivers not only cost savings, but also key logistical advantages, including reduced storage requirements and lower transport costs.

Proven crop safety and versatile spray programs

Extensive local and international trials confirm Yamato®’s excellent crop safety when applied strictly according to label guidelines. Philagro’s technical team currently recommends 14 different spray programmes centred around Yamato® as the anchor product. These combinations, incorporating actives such as mesotrione, atrazine/terbuthylazine, and glyphosate, have been specially developed for various climatic zones and weed spectrums.

A trusted partner for maize farmers

Yamato® 480 SC is currently available in the northern maize-producing regions and can be purchased from distributors including AECI Plant Health, Farmers Agricare, InteliGro, AgroCentre and Agronamic. For farmers seeking reliable, long-lasting weed control – and a proven solution for challenging post-emergence onion weed control in combination with Roundup Powermax – Yamato® remains a logical choice.

For more information, visit www.philagro.co.za or contact Bennie Buys on 082-809-5447.

Yamato® 480 SC (Reg. No. L10746, Act No. 36 of 1947) contains pyroxasulfone (pyrazole) (480 g/L). Warning. Yamato® is a 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.

1. Eric P. Westra, Dale L. Shaner, Philip H. Westra, and Phillip L. Chapman. “Dissipation and Leaching of Pyroxasulfone and S-Metolachlor.” Weed Technology, 28(1), 72-81, (1 January 2014).