Seedtech has released a crop update from Waterford’s trial site, covering a range of wintercereal and oilseed rape varieties planted last autumn.
Overall, quite a few cereal crops appear to be quite advanced.
For example, the Champion and Equipe winter wheat trials drilled on September 27 reached growth stage 31. Some of the slower varieties reached growth stage 30.
The same growth stage values were attributed to winter barley, oats and rye planted on the same date.
Meanwhile, the varieties planted on October 9 reached growth stage 29; Growth stage 30 in some cases.
These assessments were conducted on March 25.
A growth regulator (CCC) was applied to winter barley stands on February 20 and good results were achieved.
In the case of winter rye, the CCC was not applied until 20 March: uneven tiller sizes are still evident.
More generally, Seedtech confirms the presence of yellow rust in some winter wheat crops across north Leinster.
The problem is more significant in Graham, Champion, KWS Dawsum and KWS Scope varieties, especially when early drilling is done.
Tim O’Donovan, Seedtech Director, commented: “It is important that T0 sprays contain the fungicide chemistry that will control yellow rust.
“Yes, yellow rust remains the main disease affecting Irish wheat crops. But it is now clear that yellow rust must be treated at this early stage of the growing season.”
Meanwhile, Rhyncosporium remains the main disease challenge in winter barley crops, with Seedtech confirming the problem in a number of its trial plots.
“Early season rhincosporium needs control because it reduces the number of grains per square metre.
“Growers should look for dark brown edges with a white center along the edges of the leaves,” O’Donovan said.
“Barley crops after barley will be the most affected by the disease.”
Meanwhile, mild leaf spot has been identified in trials of oilseed rape at Seedtech’s Faithlegg site in Co. Waterford and DAFM Moorepark.
According to O’Donovan, the problem is more problematic in those trials where fall fungicide was not applied.
He added: “Almost all varieties have some level of infection, but the best ones stay clean. These include the likes of Aurelia and Adapt.
“If the disease is identified, it is an immediate spraying situation: there is no minimum.”
Mild leaf spot and sclerotin fungicides can be mixed.
“This may be the case for growers applying two sprays of sclerutinia as the flowering season is expected to be longer than usual,” O’Donovan said.
According to Seedtech, most oilseed rape farmers confirm good Green Zone Index values for their crops.
Granular nitrogen can be applied until the end of March. However, foliar nitrogen can be applied to kale crops after flowering is complete.
Regarding winter oats, Seedtech reports that crops are finding wet ground conditions challenging.
Very little crown rust or frost damage has been observed in winter oat crops to this point. However, oat rot is a problem in some areas.
When these issues arise, they can be quickly treated with the relevant fungicide.
