Rains prompt disease surge

RECENT WET weather and forecast higher temperatures have increased the pressure from several key wheat diseases, experts have warned.

Septoria tritici symptoms are present on most varieties and mildew, yellow rust and eyespot also need to be considered, according to the latest Crop Monitor report .


Even more resistant varieties such as Claire and Robigus are carrying septoria and will require treatment at T1, said the report’s author, Bill Clark from ADAS.


“Septoria symptoms are very obvious and severe in most susceptible varieties. Early drilled crops should be a priority for treatment.”


While there have been further reports of yellow rust, most outbreaks are at relatively low incidence and in most cases triazoles applied at T1 will provide adequate control, he said.


But, specific mildew control will be needed on many crops where the disease is still active, he noted.


This was supported by the Scottish Agricultural College’s Fiona Burnett, who said that strobilurins offered little mildew protection.


“Although there’s useful activity on mildew from some of the new fungicides they are not sufficiently robust on their own to withhold the likely mildew pressure, particularly on Optic,” she said.


Fortress (quinoxyfen) is one product that offers persistent mildew control, she noted.

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