Time for action against wheat bulb fly

Latest data from the weekly soil sampling undertaken for the Dow AgroSciences/ADAS Pestwatch monitoring programme indicates egg-hatch at between 19 per cent and 47.4 per cent on organic soils in Cambridgeshire, with up to 10.9 per cent tiller invasion.  Egg-hatch in Suffolk on mineral soils was 55.7 per cent and in Yorkshire was at 50 per cent, although the latter is based on low egg numbers.

Sarah Hurry of Dow AgroSciences advises vulnerable fields in areas south of the Humber should be treated with chlorpyrifos (in Dursban WG, Equity) as soon as possible.  North of the Humber, although egg-hatch has just started, it is likely to progress quickly so growers should be prepared to act. 

“With the late start to the season this year, there will be a great deal of spraying to be done in a very short time.  So it is advisable to assess fields at risk now and spray before the spring rush starts,” says Ms Hurry.  An application of chlorpyrifos made now should last well and if necessary can be applied to frosty ground but should not be tank-mixed in this situation, she adds.

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