Bur chervil is an upright to sprawling annual plant growing to a height of 70cm. It can grow into large, robust plants that cause difficulties at harvest.
Bur chervil
What is bur chervil?
Bur chervil (Anthriscus caucalis) is a member of the Apiaceae Umbelliferae (carrot) family. Umbellifers are easily identifiable as their flowers are arranged in a flat umbrella like head (the umbel). Other members of the Umbellifers that are likely familiar are Cow Parsley or Hogweed, which are common hedgerow plants.
How can I identify bur chervil?
Bur chervil is an upright to sprawling annual plant with hairless hollow stems growing to a height of 70cm. The white flowers are visible in May-June. The umbels are 10-40mm on short stalks opposite the 2/3 pinnate leaves. Stems can be reddish in colour. Cotyledons are narrow and often purplish below. Plants reproduce by seeds and the seeds have small burs (hooks) on them and can be carried on the fur or feathers of animals.
Biology
Bur chervil is an upright to sprawling annual plant growing to a height of 70cm. Seeds are typically autumn germinating, though they can germinate in the spring particularly if the winter has been cold. Plants reproduce by seeds and the seeds have small burs (hooks) on them and can be carried on the fur or feathers of animals. Bur chervil prefers light, gravelly soils and historically was classified as a common plant of the coastal regions of the UK. More recently (<10 years) bur chervil has become more problematic in arable fields across the UK and this has been linked to less ploughing of fields and a greater use of minimal cultivations prior to establishing crops.
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The progression of bur chervil.
Why is bur chervil a problem?
Bur chervil can grow into large, robust plants that cause difficulties at harvest. There are limited choices of product for controlling bur chervil.
How do I control bur chervil?
In cereal crops, pre-emergence products are reportedly less effective and therefore growers need to be vigilant in early spring to identify plants. At the post-emergence timing, the pyroxsulam based products (Avocet®, Broadway® Star, Memphis®) control bur chervil up to 8 true leaves. Zypar®, containing florasulam and halauxifen methyl can be applied from 15th September to 30th June and controls bur chervil up to 4 true leaves. Sulphonyl urea containing products can be tank mixed with the above product to aid control. Where treatment is delayed beyond 6-8 true leaves, activity is markedly reduced and plant stunting and possible regrowth is likely.
Belkar® provides control of bur chervil at 0.25L/ha moderately susceptible (MS) control is achieved up to 2cm in size. If a sequence application of 0.25L/ha fb 0.25L/ha of Belkar MS control is achieved up to 5cm in size and when Belkar is applied at 0.5L/ha MS control of bur chervil is achieved up to 8cm in size.
In oilseed rape, Korvetto® provides suppression of bur chervil. Korvetto (clopyralid + halauxifen methyl) can be applied from March 1st to before June 1st and for best results apply as soon as conditions permit.
Zypar Herbicide
Zypar® is a herbicide for the control of broad-leaved weeds in winter cereals (wheat, durum wheat, spelt, barley, rye, triticale, oats) and spring cereals.
Avocet Herbicide
Avocet®, a post-emergence ALS inhibitor for use on winter wheat, rye and triticale for the control of blackgrass and other grasses and broad-leaved weeds.
Broadway Star Herbicide
Broadway® Star delivers an outstanding performance in winter wheat against yield robbing grassweeds including wild oats, ryegrasses and bromes PLUS the bonus of controlling an extensive range of broad-leaved weeds.
Memphis Herbicide
Memphis® provides a robust solution for control of key grassweeds and broad-leaved weeds in winter wheat, winter rye, winter spelt and winter triticale.
Korvetto Herbicide
Korvetto® is a selective post-emergence spring applied herbicide for use on winter oilseed rape.