Focus on T2 as fine spring boosts planting
Protecting yield potential in winter wheat crops should be a key consideration as T2 fungicide sprays get underway this month.
A prolonged dry period has enabled crop protection programmes to be applied in a timely manner so far this spring, and in field walks across Yorkshire and Warwickshire this week, good control of septoria and rusts was evident.
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"The UK's main cereal-growing regions have not experienced the sort of conditions diseases need to thrive, so wheat crops are generally looking good," says Craig Chisholm, Corteva Agriscience's field technical manager for fungicides.
"With septoria still clearly evident in the base of the crop, we know a couple of rain events can change the picture significantly. Protecting the obvious potential in the crop will drive recommendations for T2 sprays, and maintaining a robust fungicide programme will ensure growers see a yield response come harvest.
"Decisions will also take into account the wheat price, as we expect growers to be looking for a cost-effective solution to protect their investment if the weather turns wet in the coming weeks."
Yorkshire
After walking wheat fields in North Yorkshire on Monday April 28, Mr Chisholm said septoria lesions were limited to the lower leaves.
"There is disease present, but it is contained lower down the plant and the T1 spray which has just been applied should do a good job at keeping it out of new growth," he says.
"Untreated trial plots nearby clearly show yellow rust could thrive, but in the crop it has been kept under control with a good T0."
The Midlands
Corteva's UK & Ireland field technical manager Sally Harris said there had been no significant rain events in a field in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, for six weeks prior to her crop inspection on April 25.
"Septoria pressure is varying from post code to post code depending on the variety, drill date and whether there has been any rain during the spring," Ms Harris says.
"From the crop of Cheer winter wheat in Wellesbourne we can see there is a reservoir of septoria in the base but the upper canopy is pretty clean."
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Both agronomists agree T2 decisions should weigh up a number of factors, including the yield potential, visible disease pressure, and the weather forecast.
"The four- or five-week period from T2 is vital in terms of building yield, so a robust T2 fungicide will act as an insurance policy against any rain which may come and raise disease pressure during that period," Ms Harris adds.
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