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DISEASE THREAT NOW CRITICAL
Date added: 06/05/05 |
Arable producers in many UK regions now risk significant financial loss from
mounting disease and pest pressure due to the legacy of last year’s high incidence of problems compounded by recent warm wet weather, warns ProCam’s technical director Dr. David Ellerton.
“Last year, many regions had the highest levels of Brome ever recorded and it was also the worst for Orange Blossom Midge for many years. Disease levels were high as well and all told this means we have been very concerned about the latent threat that has already built up for this season,” he explains.
“Following the mild winter, crop growth is well forward in many parts of the country and the conditions are now almost perfect for an explosion of major problems.”
Reports from ProCam agronomists around the UK suggest the main disease threat will probably come from Septoria which is now active in many crops and Yellow Rust, particularly in Robigus which has a significant acreage this year. The issue is further complicated by growing product resistance and low grain prices making the cost-effectiveness of some treatments at best border-line.
With Brome, the sheer number of different species and the need for different
control measures for each, will be the main challenge, Dr. Ellerton says.
Early identification of the potential scale of the Orange Blossom Midge is also
essential as last year it is estimated some 6% of the total wheat crop was lost, almost unseen.
“We can’t stress enough the importance of early identification of problems this year and the critical nature of getting T1 and T2 spray programmes right.
“Make sure you have ordered enough Orange Blossom midge traps, keep an eye out for weed and disease problems emerging on a daily basis and if you have any doubt call your agronomist.
All these problems can have a serious effect on yield if allowed to continue unchecked.”
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