Rust is on the rampage
Rust is on the rampage
YELLOW rust has ripped through untreated plots of Lagune and Regina barley in Arable Research Centre trials at Berwick.
Untreated crops in the area, or those that received early flag leaf sprays, could equally be at risk, warns ARC northern manager David Robinson.
"It has really blown up in the past 10 days. We have always known Regina has a very low resistance rating against yellow rust, but I have never seen it affected in the field," he says.
With Regina so widely grown, he fears such an isolated outbreak could be the precursor for more widespread problems in future seasons. "In Slejpner and Brigadier we spotted isolated outbreaks a year or two before there was a big one," he notes. In future growers may need to use a more robust rust prevention programme with Regina.
"At this stage all you can do is use a morpholine for quick knock down. Corbel can be used up to five weeks before harvest."
lDespite extensive disease monitoring no other yellow rust problems have been identified, says Regina breeder British Seed Houses. But the company remains vigilant, a spokesman stressed. *