A study to into the effect of fungicide applications on levels of fusarium ear blight in wheat has shown that product choice has the biggest influence in reducing levels of the disease.

The study, conducted by FERA in conjunction with Bayer Crop Science, found that although the T3 timing still provided the greatest reduction, T1 and T2 programmes still had an influence.

“Depending on product choice, T1 and T2 applications can still significantly reduce fusarium inoculum levels and subsequent levels of ear disease and DON levels,” said Phil Jennings of FERA, “particularly where applications contained prothioconazole, such as Proline 275 (prothioconazole) and Aviator (bixafen + prothioconazole).”

The results were taken during the dry spring of the 2010/11 season, which asked the question whether similar trends would be seen in a high-pressure year such as 2011/12.

“Initial observations from last spring do suggest a similar pattern, despite the conditions,” said Dr Jennings.

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