GROWERS OF wheat varieties susceptible to Septoria tritici and/ or yellow rust are urged to consider using a seed treatment active against both diseases.

Results from a recent Agrovista trial found that treatments based on fluquinconazole delayed the onset of disease and increased yields, irrespective of subsequent spray programmes.

“As a result, they should now be considered the starting point for foliar disease control on susceptible varieties,” said the firm’s Mark Hemmant.

In the trial, Jockey (fluquinconazole + prochloraz) was compared against a standard single purpose (SP) treatment in a first wheat crop of Access, where septoria was the main pathogen.

Results found that Jockey gave an average yield increase of 1.23t/ha over the SP treatment, after T1, T2 and T3 fungicide programmes.

“An additional factor this season is the large area of the yellow rust-susceptible variety Robigus that is being grown. All the signs are that there could be high levels of inoculum carried over to next season,” he added.