Top up spray programme as flowering starts

摘要

Backward oilseed rape crops have delayed the threat of sclerotinia, but growers are urged not to wait for the disease to strike. Sclerotinia can cause up to 60% yield loss per plant and, with growers relying almost primarily on protectant sprays rather curative ones, experts warn growers not to be caught out by the disease. Mark Hemmant, technical manager at Agrovista, maintains that if you find any signs of the infection, you are probably already too late. He advises growers to plan ahead and consider the threat from other diseases such as alternaria and light leaf spot, when selecting a suitable fungicide. "Growers need to start thinking about treatments at yellow bud time, just as it's about to come into flower. Many will be looking to top-up their light leaf spot control with a sclerotinia spray.