YELLOW RUST infections have been found in one susceptible wheat variety, according to latest reports.

Experts have reported presence of the disease in Robigus in the borders region of Scotland and also around The Wash and in five fields in East Yorkshire.

But the variety‘s breeder CPB Twyford has told growers not to panic, as infections will not explode overnight – as in previous varieties Slepjner and Brigadier.

“As far as I‘m aware, infection is at low levels, and from our previous experience, I wouldn‘t expect yellow rust to build up very quickly,” said the firm‘s agronomist, Simon Francis.

Weather conditions since last autumn have been perfect for yellow rust development and some fungicide strategies may need refocusing away from the low-input mentality, he said.

The appearance of the disease so early in the season is worrying, as Robigus is one of the two main varieties grown in the Scottish borders region, added BASF agronomy manager for Scotland, Dick Dyason.

“Unless crops are treated promptly there could be an explosion of yellow rust just as the crop starts growing rapidly,” he said.

He is concerned that many wheat growers have not applied an early (T0) fungicide, putting more pressure on up-coming T1 treatments to control the disease.

Tracker (epoxiconazole + boscalid) is available to growers for the first time this spring and offers good yellow rust control, he noted.

Keep track of the latest regional disease developments every Tuesday with FWi‘s Crop Watch – summaries will also appear every Friday in FARMERS WEEKLY magazine.