Sclerotinia puts yields in danger
Sclerotinia puts yields in danger
HIGH sclerotinia levels in oilseed rape could cost farm-savers up to £60/ha in lost yield next year, warns a leading seedsman.
The wet spring and early summer provided ideal conditions for the disease to spread, says Peter Croot, northern business manager at Cargill. Reduced crop inputs have added to the pressure. "Corners cut in spray programmes aimed at lowering costs of production could turn out to be a false economy," he says.
"It appears that the incidence of sclerotinia is very high this year. Growers drilling home-saved seed could be risking a yield reduction of 0.5t/ha in next years crop."
Sclerotia vary in size so it is almost impossible to remove them all from a seed sample mechanically, he says. Cargill Olympia oilseed rape seed is delivered with a sclerotinia-free quality standard, says Mr Croot. *