OSR disease testing service kicks off with simplified process

A free disease testing service aimed at helping farmers better target autumn fungicides has opened for the 2021-22 growing season with a simplified process.

In its fifth season, Bayer’s SpotCheck initiative now offers a new, simplified sample pack request process, with growers able to order sample packs direct from Bayer’s website.

See also: Light leaf spot: All you need to know about this OSR disease

Leaf samples will be assessed by Adas experts for signs of light leaf spot and other key diseases, with the results helping growers to adapt their fungicide programmes accordingly.

Light leaf spot is an airborne polycyclic disease, capable of several infection cycles each season.

The severity and incidence of the disease varies from year to year and is driven by conditions.

Temperatures from 4-20C and wet conditions are ideal for infection and spread within the crop. It can be difficult to spot; tiny, sugar-like spores can occur on either side of the leaf.

Rosalind Martin, combinable fungicide campaign manager for Bayer UK and Ireland, said: “Fungicides perform best when applied in a protectant scenario against light leaf spot, so it’s important to get the timing right.

“If growers can identify the disease in the early stages of infection, decisions can be made about fungicides in a timely way to protect the crop’s yield potential through winter.”

How the Adas/Bayer service works?

  • After requesting a sampling pack via the Bayer website, growers will receive the pack to their preferred address
  • Packs are returned to Adas with leaf samples for analysis
  • Results will be emailed to growers within seven working days of leaves arriving at the laboratory

You can find more information on the SpotCheck initiative website.