Catch-22 with cereal sprays, say experts
Catch-22 with cereal sprays, say experts
LUSH wheat and barley is putting growers in a catch-22 position, say agronomists.
Crops desperately need aphicides and herbicides, but unseasonably mild weather means foliage is soft and susceptible to damage.
Conditions are similar to 1983 when post-emergence sprays and overlaps caused widespread damage, warns Farmacys Jim Butchart. Hampshire Arable Systems Steve Cook agrees, but points out that 1984 was a bumper harvest. Growers need to be wary of being overcautious, he says.
"You may have to accept some crop damage to make sure sprays get on. You do not want the first frost on a crop that has only just been sprayed, but we are proceeding with caution."
Pendimethalin/chlortoluron mixes are being used where possible rather than ipu, and oils avoided where Lexus (flupyr-sulfuron)/ Stomp (pendimethalin) mixes are needed, if blackgrass is still small.
Mr Butchart advocates at least a 14-day interval between pre-emergence and post-emergence sprays to minimise scorch risk. Check insecticide tank-mix partners too, he advises.
"Lambda-cyhalothrin (as in Hallmark) in a tank mix is usually safer on the crop than cypermethrin."
East Yorks independent agronomist Andrew Beeney warns on manganese deficiency.
"If thats the case apply manganese, probably with an aphicide, and go back with the herbicide a week to 10 days later." *
SAFERSPRAYING
• Check forecast for frost.
• Beware big tank-mixes.
• Omit oils if possible.
• Accept some crop damage?