Frequent topping and good drainage will help limit rushes spreading. However, if the rush infestation is heavy then topping or mulching followed by weed licking with Glyphosate after 5/6 weeks is the most suitable option when water quality is a major concern.
If you choose to use MCPA then you must take precautions by following best practice. The chemical MCPA cannot be used in a weedlicker or knapsack sprayer, it cannot be sprayed within 5m of watercourses and dry drains. Do not fill the sprayer from a watercourse. Spray at the right time- a young healthy growing crop, suitable weather conditions and when there is no surface water present. Empty containers should be triple rinsed and the rinse put into the sprayer. The tank washings must be sprayed in the field and not emptied in the farmyard. #teagasc
