SPRAY MANUFACTURERS have had a rethink on rates following favourable conditions for disease development.

Following reports of high levels of Septoria affecting wheat crops, BASF has recommended standard rates for Opus (epoxiconazole) should now be regarded as the minimum.

This means growers should top up the triazole element of the company‘s strobilurin-based mixtures, such as Opera (epoxiconazole + pyraclostrobin).

“Field reports are confirming that Septoria tritici levels are increasing dramatically,” said BASF cereal fungicide products manager Tony Grayburn.

“This is confirmed by our Septoria tritici test kits which are showing that the disease is widespread in latent form in new growth.”

Recent conditions are ideal for mildew to thrive, Dow AgroSciences has warned.

The rain has created very moist soils, which, along with closing crop canopies and warming conditions has created humid microclimates in winter wheat crops.

“Growers must review spray recommendations to include a reliable and persistent mildewicide,” said Dow technical services leader David Roberts.