LOOKING FOR a good stand-alone product for the T1 spray that allows strob follow-ups at T1 and T2? Then the united view of its maker, a trade source and an independent agronomist is that you can”t afford to ignore Tracker.

“Its main strengths are septoria and the stem base diseases, and there”s no need to add chlorothalonil to it,” says BASF fungicide product manager Tony Grayburn.

Provided it is used at 1 litre/ha, it delivers 0.5 litres/ha of epoxiconazole, says Mr Grayburn. “The boscalid component improves the control of septoria, as well as bringing eyespot and fusarium into the fold.

“The only potential pitfall is mildew, in which case adding 0.25 litres/ha of Flexity is the solution.”

In barley, rhynchosporium and net blotch are controlled, he adds. “Although it isn”t a strobilurin, Tracker still brings the physiological benefits associated with that chemistry.”

Latest spray timing is flag leaf emergence (GS39), and only one application per crop is permitted.

An Opus/Bravo mix will be 3-4/ha cheaper, admits Mr Grayburn. “But with the new product, you”re getting eyespot control included. And Tracker is better than Unix on that disease.”

Other T1 options at about the same price are Proline/Bravo and Landmark/Bravo mixes.

“Tracker has the edge if you”re looking for eradicant activity on septoria. And there”s no need to add anything for rust control.”

However, Mr Grayburn recommends a strobilurin route at T1 where crops are thin or soils are poor.

Dick Neale of agrochemical specialists Hutchinsons believes Tracker, containing two good fungicides, provides good persistence and an excellent anti-resistance strategy in a can.

“The boscalid element gives a significant improvement over epoxiconazole in septoria control,” he explains.

“That means it gives very long term protection, which is a weakness of epoxiconazole on its own.”

Crops with low levels of infection will get six weeks-plus protection from applications of 1 litre/ha or more, he adds.

“That”s on varieties with average disease resistance, like Gladiator or Einstein. Dirtier varieties, such as Consort and Solstice, won”t be protected for that long.”

Mr Neale says the new fungicide offers the flexibility to spray early, a real bonus for growers with large areas to treat.

“They”re also likely to have a spread of drilling dates, so the product”s eyespot control will be important to them too. For most, the decision to use Tracker will be made on the need for stem-base disease control.”

It does provide leaf greening, he confirms. “It”s not a strobilurin, but it attacks diseases in the same zone. The plant”s stress levels are reduced.”

Growers will pay a premium for it over the cost of a triazole/Bravo mix. “But we”re talking about pence/ha, and the need for a specific eyespot treatment is removed. There”s no need to add chlorothalonil either.”

Don”t be tempted to apply less than 1 litre/ha, he warns. “Rates must be maintained for eyespot control.”

Independent agronomist and AICC member Ruth East plans to use Tracker on varieties with moderate disease resistance, such as Robigus and Nijinsky.

“If they haven”t had a T0 spray, they will benefit from the long-term protection that the product provides,” she says. “This strategy also keeps the strobilurins back until T2 and T3.” Trials last year convinced her of its benefits over an epoxiconazole/Bravo mix.

“The crops looked better, which was probably due to the greening effect, but they also had eyespot and fusarium taken care of.”

She likes the fact that there”s no need to add chlorothalonil. “Most triazoles are slowed down by Bravo, so that”s a concern where resistance is developing.”

Ms East recommends investing in new chemistry, especially on good crops where a return is guaranteed.

“There are some very good choices for T1 this year. You will get better disease control and more spray timing flexibility.”

fwcropsfwi@rbi.co.uk