ICL customers in Ireland can look forward to more effective and flexible weed control after LockStar, a residual herbicide, was granted a label update.  

The label update in Ireland follows shortly after being given the same stamp of approval in the UK.  

Customers can now apply LockStar all-year round instead of the previous limited window of between February and June. This will provide contractors and grounds managers with the opportunity to adapt their approach and give them greater control over weed growth. 

Previously, LockStar could only be used on natural surfaces not intended to bear vegetation. However, the new label update grants the use of the product on amenity vegetation (around). This will allow for the herbicide to be applied in a wider range of situations and be used in more areas such as around the base of shrubs, trees, plants and other amenity areas.  

LockStar controls a broad spectrum of weeds for up to four months and allows for professional and safe weed control. The innovative formula contains diflufenican and iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium – which is the first new weed control active ingredient to be released in the Republic of Ireland for many years. 

When applied before germination LockStar creates a dual barrier at the soil surface which keeps weeds at bay. To control weeds that are already present, LockStar should be tank-mixed with glyphosate or a fatty acid. 

LockStar, available in a 500g pack, uses the latest generation of water dispersible granules, which means the product quickly dissolves in water and remains stable in the spray tank for a minimum of 24 hours. 

Compared to conventional weed management programmes, LockStar keeps surfaces clean and weed-free for longer, as well as reducing the number of applications and amounts of herbicide required. 

LockStar should be applied at a rate of 500g/ha with just a single application required per season. 

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