A ROBUST GROWTH regulator strategy is particularly important for wheat and barley growers this year, say experts.

Growers should not be tempted to miss out PGRs in an attempt to cut costs, as lodging problems last year highlighted how important PGRs are to fungicide strategies, said Willie Gardiner of agronomists Gardiner ICM.

“Even at higher dose rates the use of a PGR still makes sense and it really is good insurance against the risk of a ‘downed’ crop,” he said.

Potential quality losses, increased harvesting time and higher drying costs from lodged crops all favour the inclusion of a PGR at growth stage 31 and 37, he said.

Also, many new varieties are more vulnerable to lodging, added Bayer CropScience’s Andy Albert.

He suggests using Cerone (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid). Where crops have not been treated at GS31, growers should apply a robust rate at “flag leaf just visible” in wheat, or “first awns just visible” in barley, he said.

For spring barley a Cerone rate of 0.35 litres/ha is normally sufficient, but for wheat varieties susceptible to lodging rates should be increased to 0.5-0.75 litres/ha, added Mr Gardiner.