Spring spraying: Growers better equipped to take the initiative now

Past epidemics have tended to affect one or two key varieties, Slepjner and Brigadier spring to mind. Current threats extends to a large number of varieties.

However, on the plus side, the fungicide control armoury has been extended since the last major outbreak, says Bob Simons. At the time of the last serious yellow rust epidemic the benefits against the disease of active strobilurin fungicides, alongside better azoles, were only just beginning to be seen.

“Now we are better prepared with strong triazoles, such as Opus (epoxiconazole) and strobilurins such as pyaclostrobin (in Comet 200), both of which are highly rust-active products. Spiroxamine and morpholine mixes might also help when the disease becomes established,” says Mr Simons.

Avoidance better

Protection is nonetheless better than cure and the aim must be to avoid having to chase disease in crops. When rust is developing even the best chemistry may take several days to stop it, so don’t expect over-night control.

Timing is critical and dose rates must be adjusted according to disease threat.

“Use higher rates or mixtures where increased knockdown in required and maximise spray coverage with correct use of nozzles and consider the use of adjuvants, especially in dense crop canopies.”

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