Crop protection

Despite the loss of chlorothalonil (CTL), growers still have effective options for controlling chocolate spot, one of two dominant diseases in beans. Capable of completely defoliating crops and causing yield losses of 50% or more, it is a potentially margin-sapping disease.

The exceptionally dry April has significantly reduced soil moisture levels and with only limited rain forecast, growers may have to intervene to mitigate potential crop stress during the crucial canopy-building stage.

Disease symptoms are light in backward crops, with yellow rust only bubbling up in some susceptible varieties, according to Bayer’s National Disease Snapshot.

In conjunction with Bayer we will be keeping track of winter wheat development over two cultivation strategies, and using Rapid Disease Detection results to monitor disease progress through the season.

Industry has applied for renewal of the approval of the fungicide, mancozeb in Great Britain.

With oilseed rape about to enter its critical flowering period, AHDB has announced it will run its sclerotinia infection risk alerts service again this season to help growers better target sprays.

Much needed spring sunshine and some good drying days have allowed growers to get their spring drilling campaigns underway.

With chlorothalonil (CTL) no longer available for cereal disease control, growers are looking at what alternatives they can use.

EAMUs have been granted for herbicides in linseed and rye.

Much of the UK has experienced an extended cold spell in recent weeks, but how will this have affected aphid populations?