Arable Survey provides 2020 vision


into wheat disease strategy • Loss of chlorothalonil is major blow • Growers will use other control methods • Yellow rust control ‘also a challenge’


T


es yield losses of up to 20%, but losses in the wetter west can be higher. We’ve already seen with blackgrass how growing wheat be- comes more diffi cult when resist- ance gets out of hand.


he biggest challenge during 2020 will be controlling ar- able diseases without key


active ingredients, according to a survey of growers and agron- omists.


Combatting Septoria – the


UK’s number one wheat disease – following the withdrawal of the multi-site fungicide chlorothalonil will be a major challenge. So too will yellow rust control – and hav- ing having fewer fungicide active ingredients in general.


Conducted independently for Syngenta, the survey of 100 farm- ers and advisors highlights the depth of concern across the sec- tor about the revocation of chloro- thalonil. The last date for using the active ingredient is 20 May 2020. Chorothalonil has become a


backbone of Septoria tritici man- agement as resistance or reduced sensitivity has appeared in other fungicide groups – such as strobi- lurins and triazoles – and for pro- tecting SDHI fungicides. Its loss is expected to have a major impact in several areas, con- fi rms the survey. These include


higher levels of Septoria and Sep- toria resistance; a need to use less effective alternatives or more ex- pensive fungicide chemistry; lower yields and higher production costs “The loss of chlorothalonil will


change how we have to tackle Sep- toria tritici,” says Syngenta fun- gicide campaign manager David Ranner.


Two-thirds of advisors and 40% of farmers spontaneously mentioned the loss of chlorotha- lonil and fungicides in general was among their biggest challenges or concerns for wheat disease control during 2020. “Typically, Septoria tritici caus-


“It is important to continue to


delay the escalation of Septoria tritici resistance once chlorotha- lonil has gone.”


Alternative products While there was some confusion in the survey as to which fungicide might be used to replace chloroth- alonil in wheat, Mr Ranner says there was an indication that the multi-site folpet was the favoured option.


“Even with new fungicides coming along, it is important they are protected in programmes and not left exposed to resistance,” he stresses. “Because a multi-site fungicide controls disease at mul- tiple points in its metabolism, in- cluding one can help to delay re- sistance development.” For a cost-effective strategy against Septoria tritici resistance, Mr Ranner suggests a multi-site fungicide as the foundation for the programme, before deciding which other fungicides to add to it based on available budget.


Septoria tritici typically causes yield losses of up to 20%.


“Our guidance is to continue using chlorothalonil – if availa-


Growers should switch to folpet after chlorothalonil is withdrawn, says Dave Ranner


ble on farm – as the multi-site of choice until 20 May 2020, switch- ing to folpet thereafter.”


Some survey respondents said they were likely to plant va- rieties more tolerant to Septoria once chlorothalonil has gone. Oth- ers said they would increase the doses of SDHI or triazole fungi- cide products. “Variety resistance provides a foundation for reducing disease,” says Mr Ranner. “The recent intro- duction of varieties with improved Septoria tritici resistance – such as Graham and Gleam – has now proven extremely timely.”


Cereals event looks to better year ahead


Cereals 2020 is rapidly taking shape, with organisers planning several new features as they prepare to bounce back from a chal- lenging 2019.


Despite the diffi cult autumn, 100% of the exhibitor crop plots at the Cambridgeshire site were drilled and growing away by the end of October. Visitors will be able to see a full range of approved and candidate varie- ties in the new Choice Cereals plots. “The site is on free draining land and the grass for the Cereals Event has established extremely well - the whole area looks a pic- ture,” says host farmer Robert Law.


8 MIDLAND FARMER • JANUARY 2020


With a larger dedicated team, who have been working closely alongside the indus- try to increase the technical content and relevance of the Event, 2020 is set to be a game-changer, explains event director Alli McEntyre. “Feedback from last year’s event was extremely positive – despite the appalling weather – with visitors awarding the overall event a score of 87%. But we want to evolve the show and make it the best it can be.” New features for next year include a dem- onstration area for robotics and new technol- ogies. There will also be a Grain Exchange


for fresh ideas from grain marketing com- panies, an improved event layout and more crop plots featuring leading and award-win- ning varieties. “Farmers are facing challenging times, but that also brings opportunities,” says Ms McEntyre. “We have pulled together a for- ward-thinking programme that we hope will help visitors to navigate the current diffi cul- ties and emerge stronger and better-equipped to take their businesses forward.” The Cereals Event takes place at Chrishall Grange, Duxford, on 10-11 June 2020. For details, visit www.cerealsevent.co.uk.


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