OILSEED RAPE growers need to incorporate and bury as much trash as possible to reduce the risk of phoma spore release, experts have warned.

Wet weather throughout August and September could speed up spore production from stem cankers in oilseed rape trash, said ADAS plant pathologist, Peter Gladders.

The major rape-growing areas, such as eastern counties are at particular risk, while elsewhere the risk is likely to be fairly normal, he said.

“But the key thing will be weather patterns over the next two months. As a rough guide around 20 days with measurable rainfall from August 1 will trigger their [spore] release.”

The Syngenta Phoma Advance Warning System (SPAWS) aims to provide growers with up to two weeks advance notice of leaf spotting outbreaks in new crops.

Alerts are available by mobile phone message or email and the service is free to growers who commit to using the company’s Plover (difenoconazole).

Further information can be found at www.syngenta-crop.co.uk