In the middle of last week we had about 8mm of very welcome rain. The ground is now damp, and with the air temperature averaging 12C crops are growing rapidly.
Grassweed control is now complete and Atlantis (iodosulfuron + mesosulfuron) applied three weeks ago is working well.
Early drilled wheats are at GS29 and have been treated with a T0 fungicide plus a reduced rate PGR. Where required, a dose of trace elements has been included.
Traces of Septoria tritici are visible on new growth in Humber, Oakley and Solstice. All three varieties were severely affected by septoria in late June last year and I can clearly remember that towards the end of the month there was sudden senescence in most of the leaves.
Treat septoria-susceptible varieties with respect and spray these at the T0 timing or, if this isn't appropriate, use a robust rate of a good fungicide such as Ennobe (epoxiconazole + prochloraz) or Proline (prothioconazole) at the T1 timing at GS 32.
Winter barley varieties Cassata and Pearl are infected with net blotch and rhynchosporium and will be treated this week at the T1 timing with Jaunt (prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin + fluoxystrobin).
Winter barleys have had all their planned nitrogen and winter wheats will receive their main dressing at GS31 in about 10 days' time.
Spring barleys are between GS12 and 14 and until recent rain were struggling - even the weeds weren't germinating! There are some patchy fields around where not all the seed has germinated.
Oilseed rape crops are at yellow bud stage with some pollen beetles present. Early drilled crops which weren't infested by pigeons and had a GAI of 1 in March and approaching 2 in early April have been treated with a PGR fungicide to help with canopy arrangement and prevent sclerotinia. Temperatures above 10C and recent rainfall will encourage infection.
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