Archive Article: 1999/02/19
• DISEASE levels on spring linseed seed lots are variable this season and growers should get farm-saved seed tested for both disease and germination before planting, advises Alan Ruddock of DANI.
Alternaria as high as 60% has hit some samples with average infection levels of 15%, fusarium at 5-7% and botrytis 10-15%.
All those figures exceed the 5% infection threshold for treatment.
• THINK before you leap is Morley Research Centres message on stem base disease control. Results of HGCA funded work shows that unless disease levels are severe, most stem base diseases are not worth treating. "Think before making that investment," warns Morley agronomist Mike Nutall. If a treatment is justified, then identifying the disease correctly is essential to determine which product to use. Unix (cyprodinil) is the best bet on eyespot, but Amistar (azoxystrobin) is better where sharp eyespot is the problem. Timing should be at GS31/32. "There is no need to go any earlier," he says.
• PRE-GERMINATION in malting barley could become easier to test using near infra red spectroscopy, according to research funded by HGCA. Germination in the ear can lead to poor malting quality and problems in the brewing process.