Lancaster c.e.

Soil-based weed control: How Lancaster E.C. works

The success of row crop production—such as soybeans, corn, or sunflower—depends by 50% on how clean the field is at the start of the growing season. Competition with weeds during the first weeks of a plant's life always results in lost yield potential. The soil-applied herbicide Lancaster E.C. from China Chemical Industrial and Research Co., Ltd., is specifically designed to eliminate this problem before crop emergence.

Active ingredient and mechanism of action

The product is based on acetochlor. This is a systemic active ingredient that enters weeds through the coleoptile (in grasses) or hypocotyl (in broadleaf weeds). Crucially, the herbicide blocks cell division in the germinating weed, stopping its growth before it even breaks the soil surface.

• Selectivity: The product works selectively, without inhibiting the root system of crops when application rates are followed.
• Systemic action: It creates a protective “shield” in the topsoil layer, forming a barrier against new flushes of weeds.
• Emulsifiable concentrate: A modern formulation that ensures the stability of the spray solution and even distribution across the soil surface.

Application for maximum efficiency

Lancaster E.C. is a standard pre-emergence protection solution. To get the best results, agronomists recommend following these rules:

• Soil moisture: This is a critical factor. For acetochlor to work, the soil must have sufficient moisture. If conditions are dry at the time of application, effectiveness may decrease.
• Tillage quality: The soil should be well-prepared, with fine crumbs and no large clods. The uniformity of application directly impacts the integrity of the protective screen.
• Timing: The product should be applied before sowing, during sowing, or immediately afterward, but strictly before the crop emerges.

Using Lancaster E.C. allows the farmer to buy time. While the field is protected by the soil-applied herbicide, the crop has the chance to strengthen and develop a robust root system without wasting resources competing for moisture and light. One high-quality application per season effectively manages most annual broadleaf and grass weeds during the most critical period.