We have finally had some rain (6mm) overnight and this morning and there is more forecast for tonight.
Up untill this week crops were coping with the drought conditions very well, but this week many have started t go backwards, especially were soils are thin and/or stoney. The rain this weekend will be the saviour of many crops (assuming we get enough rain). Crops range from GS 33 to 38/39. Generally disease levels are fairly low but there is alot of mottling in leaves 2 and 3 meaning that disease was present but not visible when T1 sprays were applied.
It is likely that disease levels will rise now that we have had rain, so don't risk delaying T2 sprays as almost half the potential yield comes from the flag leaf. T2 sprays will need to be applied to forward crops this week. I would still recommend applying a 3/4 dose triazole along with strob/SDHI partners on crops that are still looking good.
Apart from a couple of backward fields, all fields have recieved a T1.
Wehave recieved 24 mm of rainfall in the last 3 days but prior to this very dry conditions. However, we have experienced very heavy dews in the mornings which have helped the crops. More rain is forecast for the remainder of this weekend
Daily temps have be into early double figures.
There are signs of the disease on older leaves with GS in the crops varying between GS 30 & GS 33.
Rain, or the lack of it, continues to be a key topic of conversation. Never before have I seen so many irrigators working their way across wheat fields. Crops on light land without the luxury of water are starting to roll their leaves in protest. For this to happen before the end of April is pretty serious. Stronger land crops , however, seem to be holding their own. T 1 fungicides generally completed easily as leaf 3 was emerging, and every day seemed to be a spray day. The only issue related to high midday temperatures and similar light intensity.I suspect most treatments were sensibly robust, driven by the likely sale price of a tonne of wheat and the fact that sooner or later our weather would revert to type. Septoria levels are still relatively low and lurking low down in the crop. As yet no substantial movement up onto those important new leaves. The threat remains, and soon decisions will need to be made about T2 treatments which are only just over 2 weeks away! Doesnt time fly when the sun shines.......
There were some showering in the area over the easter weekend, some of which were very heavy. Fields that had one of these will have more than enough rain to splash septoria up the crop, so be ready for disease levels to increase rapidly.
There are more showers forecast for this weekend, but each day the total rain forecast seems to be decreasing. Surely with a royal wedding and two more bank holidays we'll get wet at some point! T1 sprays have been applied so hopely that will slow up disease development if crops do get rained on.
Crops are coping with the drought conditions very well, except on some of the very thinest soils where they are showing clear signs of stress.
Yet another week with no rain. There was just enough (nearly 1mm) to stick the dust to all the windows of the car, but no more. Septoria levels are still low, but higher than this time last year. Most crops are getting close to T1 timing. Some Cordial locally now has final leaf 2 emerging, and Gallant and Conqueror are at 32.
Crops are coping far better than last year as they have rooted much more. There is moisture under the surface at 8-10 cm and this is keeping the crops looking good at the moment. In my opinion T1 programmes need to maximise the physiological/drought protection as well as disease control. I'm convinced it will rain at some point soon, I don't want to then spend the rest of the season chasing disease because I cut corners early now.
Traditionally the wetter half of the country, but not this year, Again promised rain has failed to materialise and SMD figures are on the rise. What price irrigating wheat!! Crop development continues and the weather allowed timely completion of T 0 sprays. The focus is now on T1's that are fast approaching. Septoria is not at customary levels, but it is there and should still be regarded as a threat. Economy at this stage would be wrong in my view. Rain will come and rapid lush growth will allow rapid disease development. Final leaf 3 will soon be emerging and its proximity to the flag means it must be kept clean. New chemistry is now available offering substantial yield benefits in the absence of disease. Maybe the physiological kick offered by these products is just what these crops need......
Soil temperatures have been rising steadily over the last couple of weeks but the dry weather is not favouring Sclerotia germination. When the wet weather eventually arrives though the germination will begin rapidly hence most varieties have recieved a picoxystrobin yellow bud spray for early protection.
Most varieties in the region are showing Septoria Tritici lesions mainly on the lower older leaves. But also some fresh infection can be found on Solstice and forward Alchemy.
The dry weather is helping prevent the spread of the disease but it is still there and skimping on rates for T1 fungicides together with a change in the weather could mean you will chasing disease throughout the season.
Most blocks of wheat have had a Tzero.
Varieties include: Istabraq, Claire, Viscount, Alchemy & Duxford with disease ratings varying from a 5 to a 7 for S.tritici.
Only 5 mm of rainfall in the last 7 days.
Daily temps have be into early double figures.
There are signs of the disease on leaf tips with GS in the crops varying between GS 23 & GS 30.
Still dry on the Island despite 3mm of rain on Monday. Crops now flowering well and will start dropping petals soon. The trial site has received some Galileo as an early sclerotinia treatment and yield enhancement from the strob effect. Other crops in Kent are under huge pressure from pollen beetle, and I have never seen so much light leaf spot before in this part of the country.
Leaf 3 emerging now and septoria levels on older leaves still quite high despite lack of rain. T1s will start next week.
Septoris can be widely found on the old leaves of most crops now. Rain 10-12 days ago would have been enough to splash disease up the crops, but there is little if any sign of disease on newer leaves, so it would seem that T0 sprays have held it well.
Low to moderate levels of Septoria tritici are present on the majority of wheat varieties. This stuation is now dependant on further rainfall in order to spread the disease further up the canopy.
Septoria can be found on several varieties in the Suffolk area but at low levels and only on the bottom leaves. Plants such as the one below has already lost its lower leaves as a result of septoria infection, but the picnidia indicate that septoria is still active and could move up the plant if there is sufficient rainfall.
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