Rust risk is best managed early
With spring fast approaching, wheat growers are being urged to assess disease risk and protect crops early to avoid compromising yield potential or stoking problems later in the season ...
The first T0 fungicide is often where some may look to make savings, but a Hutchinsons/ BASF trial at Terrington, Norfolk, last season, showed this could be false economy if yellow rust pressure is high.
It found that under significant yellow rust pressure, a 1.5 t/ha yield benefit could be attributed to a T0 applied to KWS Kinetic (rated 4 for yellow rust). The trial compared a full programme (T1-T3) with and without a metconazole-based T0.
“Considering the historical average yield response from T0s is nearer 0.1 t/ ha, the Terrington result is unexpected, but highlights the variability long-term averages can mask, and how challenging rust management can be once it builds in crops,” head of integrated crop management, David Howard says.
He acknowledges last season was particularly high risk for yellow rust, due to a mild winter and monthly temperatures from January onwards being around 2°C above average. Weather tracking data shows most areas experienced 70-80 days between January and July where temperatures were optimal for yellow rust (10-15°C).
“Under such conditions, disease cycles faster, multiplies and reinfects crops more rapidly, keeping pressure high, resulting in clear benefits from reducing inoculum early.”
This was highlighted clearly at Terrington, with leaf inspections showing less disease infection on all the main leaves, culminating in 8-10% less yellow rust on the flag leaf where a T0 was applied.
No room for complacency
Conditions so far this season have been somewhat different to 2021/22, with cold weather during December and some of January helping to reduce the yellow rust risk by killing pustules, and infected lower leaves of the crop. Research also shows frosts below -5°C will affect dormant mycelium. A large area of relatively early-sown wheat last autumn may further help to counter yellow rust risk.
But, growers should not drop their guard, Mr Howard warns. “Changing pathogens and increasingly unpredictable weather strengthen the case for T0 sprays to become standard for early disease – notably rust – management.”
Lincolnshire-based Farmacy agronomist Charles Wright agrees. “Rust pressure is generally lower than last year [at the time of writing at least], but don’t get complacent. Relative yellow rust risk is getting greater in the UK because of the weather patterns we’re having, so saying it’s lower risk now is somewhat different to saying that 10 years ago.”
Many popular varieties are susceptible to yellow rust, including Skyfall (rated 3), KWS Zyatt (3), and Gleam (5), but even those with higher AHDB Recommended List scores, such as KWS Extase (8) and KWS Dawsum (9), should be managed carefully, as previous seasons have shown the potential of new races to overcome genetic resistance.
Later-sown crops, such as those after roots or veg, or where drilling was delayed due to black-grass management, may be at greater risk of yellow rust, he adds.
“We need to be proactive about managing the disease.”
T0 timing
Traditionally, many growers target growth stage 30 for applying the T0, however Mr Howard says there is greater flexibility by going for a slightly wider application window of GS 25-30 where pressure is high.
This reduces the chances of weather delays rolling T0 sprays into the T1, and gives the much-needed treatment gap to lower inoculum pressure and allow T1s to be less curative and more protectant (where chemistry is most effective).
Metconazole or tebuconazole-based products are preferred where rust needs rapidly knocking out, while strobilurins, such as azoxystrobin or pyraclostrobin, offer longer-lasting protection, but less curative activity, he advises.
In the most susceptible varieties, where risk is very high or yellow rust has become established over winter, there may be a need to apply a fungicide before the main T0 (from post-tillering, GS 20+), although Mr Wright says growers should check with their agronomist as only a limited range of products can be used at this early timing.
He favours straight tebuconazole pre-T0, allowing the true T0 to be applied at GS 30, and helping to maintain a tight 2.5-3 week interval between the T0 and T1 treatments.
“The keys to rust management are to not let it get established, and keep the intervals between active fungicides tight.”
Don’t overlook Septoria
While yellow rust is the focus of most T0 programmes, early-sown wheats with high biomass will inherently be at greater risk of Septoria, so this should not be overlooked at T0, especially in more susceptible varieties or regions.
“Some growers may have turned away from using T0s to manage Septoria after chlorothalonil’s withdrawal, but there are benefits from keeping Septoria in check and buying flexibility towards T1,” says Mr Howard.
Metconazole has some Septoria activity, although folpet offers greater protection, he says. “Avoid primary azoles as they are likely to feature in later fungicide applications.”
Mr Wright adds: “Generally, it’s the rainfall during April and May that really drives Septoria pressure, but early drilled crops with bigger biomass, will be at greater risk. For growers trying to be proactive against Septoria at T0, then the multisite folpet is probably my preferred option, as you’re hopefully protecting some of the new growth from getting Septoria.
“With high input prices and still decent commodity prices, any element of risk management you can bring into the situation is worthwhile.”
Email Us