In the arms race that is the battle against blackgrass, we might have to think a bit deeper to manage the troublesome weed. It has proved to be highly adaptable to farming systems. At Hutchinsons’ Cambourne blackgrass demonstration day in June, researcher John Cussans noted that blackgrass is now germinating for longer and although control strategies have reduced numbers, those that survive are bigger. A seedling plant density that delivered four heads/sq m in 1990 is likely to deliver nearer 10 now. When talking to Rothamsted researcher Dr Dana MacGregor, you realise just how adaptable blackgrass is. It can survive…