Rust bashes Scots

14 June 2002

Rust bashes Scots

YELLOW rust is hitting Scottish wheats hard as crops untreated for up to seven weeks, because of bad weather, come under severe disease pressure.

"The yellow rust is the worst I have seen for 12 years," says Chris Dawson of CSC CropCare. "It is particularly bad in Madrigal, which is still quite widely grown for distilling."

With some crops coming into ear and untreated since stem extension (GS31) concern is growing. "Its a worrying time. We are under severe disease pressure with rhynchosporium and net blotch badly affecting barleys. The best mix to control yellow rust at this stage is one based on Vivid, Opus and Corbel," Dr Dawson says. &#42