Advisors - Agris42

For UK agronomists and advisory teams

Herbicide Resistance testing that makes blackgrass and ryegrass advice more precise

Resistance patterns differ from field to field making recommendations on post-emergence and pre-emergence herbicides more difficult. Agris42 can provide you with clear insights into the situation of a field.

From £150

6 herbicides

3-4 months

sampling to report

Customers from 13 EU countries

active since 2019

Build around practical agriculture

We conduct active field research on herbicide resistance since 2019 and know the problems farmers and farmers are facing every day.

Clear service promise

We established an easy process from sampling in the field to sending the final reports.

Scientific precision

All samples are analyzed by trained staff with over 20 years of experience in the field. Our facilities are GEP-certified and all methods follow scientific best practices.

Video

See how the sampling and test process works

Watch a short video to learn more about herbicide resistance and the bioassay.

How it works

A simple process for a complex question

Order your kit

Includes a comprehensive sampling guide, along with packaging and detailed return procedures.

Collect mature seeds

Representative seed sampling in the field.

Greenhouse bioassay

Testing in our GEP certified facilities against a defined herbicide set under standardised conditions.

Receive your report

Clear representation of the results for easy application.

Example Report

Easy to interpret results for a clearer management advise

Take a look at an example report

Benefits for the advisor

Interested?

Our Offer

Which herbicides do we test?

7 Treatments

Small

16 Treatments

Large

All treatments included in "Small"
1 dose Propyzamide
1 dose Bixlozone
1 dose Cinmethylin
1 dose Chlortoluron
1 dose Aclonifen
1 dose Triallate
1 dose Flufenacet
1 dose Flufenacet + Diflufenican
1 dose Pendimethaline

Frequently asked questions

I am interested in trying your service, what are the next steps?

Thank you for your interest in our service.
The next steps are simple:

Make an appointment with our team to discuss your requirements and crops.
We will personalize your resistance test kits based on your needs and target weeds.
You will receive the kits by mail together with instructions and return packaging.
After receiving your samples, we conduct the greenhouse bioassays and send you the results and recommendations.

If you would like, we can arrange a short introductory call to get started.

Great Britain is not part of the EU. Are there special things to obey?

Yes, sending biological samples across borders requires phytosanitaire certificates. We have set up a process with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to make this process very easy.

Do I need to pay for the tests upfront?

No, we will send you the invoice together with the test results. If we cannot provide results, e.g. due to low germination of the seeds, we will not send an invoice.

How do I collect a sample for resistance testing?

After placing your order, you will receive a resistance kit from us. It includes detailed sampling instructions, suitable packaging materials, and an order form where you can simply check the desired analysis.
Then, collect a coffee cup (approx. 200 ml) of ripe seeds in the provided sample bag and return it to us—free of charge. Sampling is usually possible from early July.

When can I collect a sample?

We require a sample of ripe seeds from grass weeds or broadleaf weeds.
For grass weeds such as blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides), the seeds are usually ripe when the first grains fall from the top of the seed head. At this point, collect additional ripe seeds from several plants until you have approximately 200 ml. Then send the sample to us.

Can I mix seeds from multiple fields?

We advise against this. Our results show that resistance levels can vary significantly even between fields that have been managed in a similar way.
Therefore, you should either collect a separate sample for each field or focus on fewer fields to ensure more meaningful and interpretable results.

How many spots in the field should I collect seeds from?

As with soil sampling, only a representative sample collected from several locations in the field will provide a meaningful result. If several nests are visible, a composite sample of these nests should be collected. If you plan to treat parts of the field differently or have used different herbicides on different areas, be sure not to mix these zones during sampling.

Do I need an untreated control plot (zero plot)?

No.
While plants from untreated areas (zero plots) might seem useful since they haven’t been exposed to herbicides, resistance typically occurs in patches. This means the chance of placing the zero plot in the wrong spot is high. To obtain a representative picture of the field, you would need to establish several zero plots at different locations—something that’s rarely practical.

How many fields should I test?

There is no general answer to this question. It is important that you get an idea of the resistance situation on your farm as early as possible, because once resistance is established, it is extremely difficult to reverse (see section “Ineffective herbicides due to resistance?”). If you notice patches remaining after herbicide application, this may already indicate the presence of resistant weeds.

I’m not satisfied with my herbicide’s performance—could resistance be the reason?

It’s not always the case, but our observations suggest that resistance is responsible in more than 50% of cases where herbicides fail in the field.

Contact section

Interested in using resistance data in your advisory work?

Imprint