CropWatch: OSR pod sealants and foliar N in wheat – Farmers Weekly

So, I may have got too excited in my last column and let the sunshine go to my head. Since then, we have had 100mm of rain and some very windy days.

Ironically, the wind has really dried out the top few inches of soil in the past week, so the recent showers may well be needed. We managed to run our variety trials event without getting wet, and the support is always greatly appreciated, especially as it was the best spray day for about three weeks.

The general consensus on the day was how yellow spring barleys and even wheats looked, as folks travelled from all over Northumberland and the Scottish Borders to our trial site.

The rain landed right as we looked to apply our T2 fungicides. These inevitably became T2.5 sprays for the most part, despite everyone’s best efforts. Septoria pressure ramped up with the wet weather and this is evident in the weaker varieties.

The temptation is to skip a T3, but with more wet weather forecast, this would be a false economy. We still need to keep disease low in the crop as well as protect the ears.

The wet weather will promote further disease pressure so a prothioconazole- and tebuconazole-based T3 should be considered. I am also considering a strobilurin on the better crops. Winter barleys look clean, but the untreated plots highlighted the importance of disease control this spring. Ramularia type symptoms are starting to show and, given the stress these crops have been under, it comes as no surprise. With unpredictable weather, an early pod sealant on oilseed rape could be a good move this year. Spring crops in general are struggling with the changeable weather. Established in challenging conditions, they seemed to come through well, but have then been faced with a lot of wet weather.

The wind has dried the top few inches, where they are mostly rooted, meaning they could do with a bit of moisture. I am being kind to them where I can and focusing on nutrition to keep them moving, as they will come right.