We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.T0 fungicide key in yellow rust battle
YELLOW rust may not be visible on susceptible wheat varieties but a T0 fungicide remains a key spray this season experts are advising.
ADAS plant pathologist, Jonathan Blake says omitting a T0 spray simply isn’t worth the risk on Solstice, Oakley, Viscount and Robigus.
“Despite little visual evidence of yellow rust at present, if I had a crop of one of these varieties, I wouldn’t take the chance. Use your T0 to protect your T1 performance,” he says.
Mr Blake’s advice comes after a winter period that has curtailed yellow rust disease development, but to what extent remains unclear.
KWS consultant agronomist Bob Simons advises growers that crop inspection in an effort to find yellow rust can be misleading and probably pointless.
“My view is that there is no point rushing out there to check your crops as there’s little sporulation occurring,” he says. “Just because you can’t see the disease it doesn’t mean it is not there.
In terms of spray timing, Dr Blake reckons the cold start to the year will mean that the T0 sprays will be needed at the end of March or first week of April. However, he would be prepared to go earlier if disease is seen.
“It is better to try and keep the crop clean rather than let infection in and the use of a rust-active T0 triazole is prudent,” he says. “This should do the job before a properly timed leaf 3 T1.”
