Early strob tonic for ailing cereal crops
Early strob tonic for ailing cereal crops
EARLY strobilurin fungicide could be just the ticket for kick-starting backward winter cereals this spring, says BASF.
That is because the physiological effects are proportionately greater in such crops than in higher performing crops, says the firms Steve Waterhouse. "There is no doubt about the benefits of strobilurin at flag leaf," he says. Apart from controlling disease Landmark (kresoxim-methyl) prolongs the life of crops, helps them overcome stress and boosts yields.
But the same non-fungicidal properties have a valuable role earlier on in the small canopied crops likely to result from this seasons late sowings, says Mr Waterhouse.
Most of the average 0.54t/ha (4.4cwt/acre) yield edge over triazole treatments since Landmark was launched in 1996 has come from disease control, he admits. But there are physiological effects, he says, including increased uptake of nitrate and carbon dioxide, and hormonal effects which counter stress and lead to greener crops.
All can be exploited to build up thinner stands. "There is a limited amount of green leaf in these thin plants at the moment. We do not want stress in any form to threaten it."
In thick canopies Landmark is best applied with the second split of growth regulator. But in thinner stands it complements the root-enhancing role of early pgr, he says.
Although late sown crops are expected to go through their growth stages rapidly once the weather warms, Mr Waterhouse says the strob should still be aimed at emerging leaf three. "Normally that is about GS32, but this year on some crops it could be at GS31." *