WEED-CONTROL IN GENETIC MODIFIED SUGAR-BEETS - FUTURE PROSPECTING DEVELOPMENTS

In 1998 two genetic modified herbicide tolerant sugar beet varieties a re included in the ''Value Test of Cultivation in Use'' of the ''Natio nal Variety Registration Authority'' (BSA) for the first time. One var iety is tolerant against the active ingredient Glyphosate, the other o ne against the active ingredient Glufosinate. Within this test the eff iciency of these genetic modified varieties in yield, quality and othe r agronomical properties as well as the degree in herbicide tolerance will be investigated. Under the product names Roundup Ultra (active in gredient: Glyphosate) and Basta (active ingredient: Glufosinate) the h erbicides are registered for the use in several crops except in sugar beets. For a respective indication Glyphosate (Roundup Ultra) and Gluf osinate (Liberty) are currently tested by the ''Federal Biological Res earch Center for Agriculture and Forestry'' (BBA). Both products are c haracterised by a high range of efficiency, good environmental safety and a low degree of toxicity. From 1998 to 2000 the ''Coordination Boa rd for Field Trials in Sugar Beet'' (KA) at the ''Institute of Sugar B eet Research'' (IfZ) in co-operation with the agrochemical manufacture s Monsanto and AgrEvo will carry out a nationwide serie of trials. The aim of the serie is the evaluation of the efficiency of different her bicide application systems on weeds in genetic modified sugar beets. T he article describes background and conception of the study. With rega rd to the results future herbicide application strategies are discusse d.