Warmer weather means now is the time to think about growth regulator application, Syngenta has advised.

With the cold weather preventing the uptake of nitrogen, the growth of wheat and barley is set to increase rapidly over the coming weeks.

This is likely to lead to rapid elongation of lower internodes creating taller, thinner and weaker stems which will add to the lodging risk, said the firm’s Rod Burke.

“Growers will need to monitor growth regularly over the coming weeks. PGR sprays will need to be accurately timed.

“Even a variety with high standing power will lodge if pressure is high,” he added.

For weekly reports from a team of agronomists around the country, see FWi’s Crop Watch, updated every Tuesday.