Published on 30/07/2025
Fodder and sugar beet are important forage crops for finishing and wintering stock in periods where feed availability and quality is low.
Arxada has now registered a new active ingredient to these crops, to create a safer and more flexible approach to early weed control.
Komodo contains 380 g/litre acetochlor in a capsule suspension formulation using Arxada’s Encaps technology, significantly increasing crop safety over and above other emulsifiable concentrate (EC) options, the company says.
This active ingredient traditionally used in the maize and corn industry, is new chemistry to the beet market, specifically targeting grass and broadleaf weeds at the post plant pre-emergence timings.
Arxada’s Encaps Technology contains the active ingredient in small, microscopic capsules in a liquid soluble concentrate formulation. These capsules increase efficacy and crop safety, while reducing the volatile nature of acetochlor when exposed to its environment.
This means almost all the product reaches the targeted spray area without being lost.
The capsules are broken down by its natural environment through UV light from the sun, and moisture, locking the active onto the soil surface, readying your crop for weed emergence protection.
Arxada has developed and manufactured this product in New Zealand for our unique conditions.
“In the large array of trials conducted throughout the country, Komodo has proven itself, controlling additional weeds over and above others used at similar timings, and with superior crop safety.”
These weeds include black nightshade, chickweed, broad-leaved dock, redroot, shepherd’s purse and scrambling speedwell.
To help get the best out of Komodo application, it is important to apply two litres per ha immediately after sowing to a well-prepared seed bed under good growing conditions.
Rainfall or irrigation of up to 10 mm within 10 days of application is required to fully activate the product for the best result.
“One of the strengths of Komodo is it’s tank mix compatibility advantage,” explains Jason Payne, territory sales and NZ marketing manager for Arxada.
“The product has been through vigorous and extensive lab and field testing with a range of commonly used herbicides and insecticides with no issues.”
Testing with some versions of glyphosate, ethofumesate, metamitron, chlorpyrifos and Cyhella has been conducted with great results.
Please consult your Arxada territory manager when attempting these mixes. Always adhere to the label when mixing and determining application timing according to crop stage.
As with any good residual herbicide, the expected result from using Komodo could be reduced if there is extremely low or excessive rainfall, the soil is poorly prepared, or the soil has high organic matter content.
Komodo is also registered for use in maize at a rate range from 5.5 to 6.6 litres per hectare, with an extended weed control list. Applications for maize are also for post plant pre-emergent use. Consult the label for the full range of weeds and application details.