Rachel Banks, technical manager at Bayer, recommends a diverse herbicide programme to maximise control.

Effective integrated weed management starts with cultural controls to reduce the size of the weed seedbank. But once the crop is drilled, the herbicide programme takes centre stage with residual herbicides at pre-em and follow-up applications.

Diversity is key. Use different actives within the programme to improve control and manage resistance.

Each active is unique. Factor in the mode of action (MoA), root or shoot activity, and longevity to make a balanced herbicide programme that copes with variable conditions and delivers high levels of control.

Strong start to the programme

An effective pre-em sets the standard for the season, so it’s important to start strong.

Metribuzin co-forms like Alternator® Met, Octavian® Met and Cadou® Met contain three different MoAs with root and shoot activity. Including Proclus® adds a fourth MoA to improve control and increase longevity in the programme.

Also, it is less reliant on soil moisture for efficacy than many other actives, so it will be even more valuable this autumn if dry conditions continue.

This combination of proven herbicides offers excellent control of black-grass, Italian ryegrass and brome species with the flexibility to follow up with more chemistry in the toughest situations.

Graph 1: Excellent Italian ryegrass control

Graph 2: Good black-grass control – use in a tight sequence with other chemistry for maximum effect

Root or shoot activity

The most effective herbicide programmes have a combination of root and shoot activity to attack weeds in different ways.

Herbicides like flufenacet, metribuzin and cinmethylin are more soluble and move through the soil for uptake by the roots of germinating weeds. Make sure there is sufficient soil moisture and a good quality seedbed without impermeable barriers for these actives to perform at their best.

Proclus® and diflufenican are not mobile – they remain at the soil surface. Weeds take in these herbicides as the shoots emerge out of the soil.

Less reliant on soil moisture for efficacy, aim for consistent coverage across the field to form a protective layer on the surface. A fine, firm seedbed free of clods helps with this.

Protection throughout autumn

The pre-em controls weeds which germinate due to disturbance from drilling. But further germination is a problem too, earlier drilled crops and Italian ryegrass are situations where continued protection is very important.

Each active degrades at a different rate so it controls germinating weeds for different lengths of time. Be sure to include herbicides with good longevity like Proclus® in the programme.

In general, all actives degrade more quickly in warm and moist conditions. Herbicides applied later in autumn, after delayed drilling for example, have better longevity because of cooler weather.

Topping up is another way to build in more protection. A second or even third herbicide application controls subsequent weed germination. If expecting protracted germination of Italian ryegrass, plan to come back 2–4 weeks after the pre-em.

For black-grass, we normally recommend a short gap of 1–2 weeks for any follow up spray because black-grass germination is far more concentrated around early/mid-October.

What is a MoA?

The MoA is the chemical basis for how a herbicide kills a weed. Different herbicides can have the same MoA. For example, prosulfocarb, tri-allate and flufenacet all inhibit cells from making very long-chain fatty acids, disrupting cell division. They’re all in the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) Group 15.

In contrast, diflufenican is in Group 12 as it inhibits an enzyme phytoene desaturase, which is important in photosynthesis.

For autumn, there are six different MoAs available for the residual programme; HRAC Groups 3, 5, 12, 15, 30, 32. Growers can also use contact-acting chemistry after weed emergence, Atlantis® OD contains mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron, both from HRAC Group 2.

For resistance management, use actives from different HRAC MoA groups and avoid using any active in the programme more than once.

How MoA diversity improves control

Bayer has done trials in conjunction with NIAB to measure the benefit of more MoAs in the programme. Normally trials look at products at full rate, which is how farmers use them and what we generally recommend for resistance management.

But these trials don’t easily show if control is thanks to diverse MoA or just the effect of applying more herbicide in total. The trial with NIAB was designed to split out these two variables.

Two years of trials showed that MoA diversity improved efficacy. The effect was more pronounced in Italian ryegrass than black-grass.

In practical terms it means that mode of action diversity is not just about long-term stewardship but about better short-term control too. In addition to chemical controls, cultural controls also stack together to increase efficacy.

The starting point was an untreated September drilled crop. Next, higher seed rates were tested, then October drilling and higher seed rates.

Shifting to October drilling had a huge impact on overall control. On top of cultural controls, a single active programme was compared to diverse modes of action. Control from the diverse programme was far superior.

Graph 3: Stacking controls for Italian rye-grass control

Broadleaf weeds

Check broadleaf weed activity of specific herbicides to match the problem in your field.

A metribuzin co-form like Alternator® Met, Octavian® Met and Cadou® Met + Proclus® has activity on some of the most serious broadleaf weeds including cleavers, groundsel and mayweed.

Safe application – best practice

Root-acting herbicides can affect crops too. Drilling depth and quality is very important to keep herbicides away from crop roots.

• Drill to at least 32mm
• Closed slots with no exposed seed
• Avoid applications when heavy rain is forecast
• Be cautious on lighter soils
• Sequences are safer than large tank-mixes.

All other brand names used are Trademarks of other manufacturers in which proprietary rights may exist. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information, including contact details, visit the Bayer website or call 0808 1969522.

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Cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) was not much in evidence in the two MagicTraps deployed at Overbury Enterprises last autumn. Trap counts were low in what was generally a low-pressure season for the oilseed rape pest in most regions, Bayer Crop Science explained. 

Farms manager Jake Freestone was using Bayer’s digital yellow water traps for the first time, installing one in low-lying vale land at around 100ft above sea level and a second on higher hill land at 850ft. 

He said that the aim was to monitor how the traps, which were part of the United Oilseeds MagicTrap network, performed at different topographies, on different soil types and in different areas of the farm, which sits on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border. 

CSFB has been a sporadic problem at Overbury since the ban on use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in oilseed rape in 2013. Yet, despite the CSFB challenge, oilseed rape has retained its place in the rotation on the farm, although the area has dropped in recent seasons. 

Mr Freestone said: “We’re combining about 900 hectares [of arable crops] here and another couple of hundred hectares next door, and probably 200 hectares would traditionally have been rapeseed. 

“I have persevered with it, although for one reason and another the area had slipped back a little this year, but that was mainly down to rotation, and we’re due to go back up again this year.”

‘Cultural methods’ in use

With agronomy based on an IPM/ICM approach, a key aim is to avoid using synthetic insecticides where possible. 

“We haven’t used insecticides on the farm since 2018. We use a lot of cultural methods to try and avoid using them,” Mr Freestone added. 

Land going into oilseed rape receives an application of poultry litter after the crop has been direct drilled into chopped straw and a decent stubble.  

The farms manager added: “We also put companion crops in with the rape; we’re trying to do everything we can without reaching for an insecticide. 

“We did once send some flea beetle off to be tested, and they came back at 77% resistant to pyrethroid insecticides, so there’s probably no point in spraying anyway.” 

Other measures include growing hybrid OSR varieties – typically from the Bayer DEKALB portfolio – to take advantage of their spring vigour and potential ability to grow away from CSFB stem larvae. 

Last season’s newcomer DK Excentric is in the variety line-up, alongside Dolphin, for harvest 2025 and is looking well on the higher land, Mr Freestone added. 

A shift in OSR drilling date has also been introduced as part of the farm’s approach to managing flea beetle. 

“We have started drilling very early, in the first week of August, to try and get the OSR up and a leaf established before the main flea beetle migration at the end of August. 

“We had pretty good establishment last autumn, and flea beetle weren’t really an issue. We did have some winter stem larval damage, but the crops seemed to grow through that,” he continued. 

MagicTraps

Mr Freestone initially placed the MagicTraps in fields with rape stubble and a cover crop, before moving them into new season crops three weeks after drilling. 

“My aim was firstly to get used to the technology and secondly, to have a look at what was emerging from previous oilseed rape fields to try and get a gauge on cabbage stem flea pressure, but there wasn’t really very much pressure at all,” he said. 

Setting up and using the two MagicTraps was straightforward, although one consideration was dealing with a patchy mobile phone signal. 

“I was trying to find a place in the field where I thought the beetle was likely to land, so in the field margins, but also somewhere we could get a signal.  

“I found I’d get a signal one day, and then the next day the signal had disappeared. That’s not a particular issue with MagicTrap, it’s a rural issue across the board.” 

With no insecticides applied on the farm he is not using MagicTrap to inform spraying decisions; instead, the benefit comes in the form of saving time on crop walking. 

“It also gives me a nice record of what is happening with flea beetle. The fact that MagicTrap is recording a digital footprint means that over time we will hopefully be able to build up a picture of what sort of populations we have, in what fields and in what kind of weather kind of conditions,” the expert continued.

Generating robust data  

Following the successful rollout of the United Oilseeds MagicTrap network last year, the aim is to continue to build on the current 48-trap network, said Peter Collier, UOM area manager for the East Anglia region.  

“Last year we learnt a lot around what works best in terms of MagicTrap field positioning, timing and best practice. Now we’ve got many more traps in our network and being shared with us, there is a lot more coverage, and we can be increasingly scientific in our approach. 

“In order to get a metric of cabbage stem flea beetle, pollen beetles and weevil numbers, we want consistent placing of traps within a field. We’ve been standardising our approach across the MagicTrap network to achieve that.   

“A single trap on its own provides good information for that farm, but with a consistent way of doing things, then on aggregate, the data is more meaningful for a national picture, and good data in enables good data out,” he concluded. 

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Agrii agronomist Jazzmyn Jex confirms that F. graminearum, one of the seven fungal species of fusarium posing a high risk to wheat growers, could be a more significant threat this year due to the hot, dry conditions prevalent in both April and May.

Ms Jex said: “The risk of fusarium is always driven by climatic conditions, with F. graminearum, in particular, favouring warmer and drier conditions from sowing until around Growth Stage (GS) 31, 1st node.

“With much of the UK recently experiencing the sunniest April on record followed by similar hot, sunny conditions in May, this could increase the risk of F. graminearum with crops already under strong hydric stress in many areas.

“Although it’s always difficult to predict whether fusarium is likely to be a problem, given conditions at flowering are the defining factor in its severity. Dull, wet and humid conditions will prolong flowering, keeping the florets open and allowing more time for the pathogen to enter the crop.”

The expert said that while fusarium species are difficult to control, with even the best treatments and timings struggling to give full control, fusarium needs to be managed at T3 to maintain grain quality.

Effective control of fusarium also reduces the risk of high levels of DON (Deoxynivalenol) and ZEAR (Zearalenone), harmful toxins that contaminate the wheat grain.

Key issues

Ms Jex added: “Good rotational management is important, paying specific attention to rotations where wheat follows maize and are at the highest risk from fusarium attack, given that F. graminearum develops well on maize trash.

“Although both variety choice and establishment can also have a positive impact on successful fusarium outcomes, ensuring that the T3 fungicide spray is timed to coincide with the start of flowering at GS61 and applying it no later than mid-flower, GS65, when the florets are open, is most critical.

“On product choice, combining two different triazoles, such as bromuconazole + tebuconazole, in azole-based products such as Sakura or Soleil offers superior activity on fusarium species and brown rust when compared to single azoles, such as straight tebuconazole or prothioconazole.”

The Agrii agronomist concluded: “Spray coverage is also key, so consider water rates and nozzle choice. Use of an angled, flat fan nozzle can be very effective if conditions allow.”

Julian Lamont of Haxton Farm, a 728ha arable and grassland farm based six miles north of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, has worked with Jazzmyn and her brother, Agrii agronomist Todd Jex, for a number of years.

Having used bromuconazole + tebuconazole in preference to single triazoles such as prothioconazole for more effective control of both rust and fusarium, he has seen several benefits to a dual triazole approach.

Mr Lamont said: “Whilst grain quality is always important, we grow feed wheat, so our key priority is high bushel weights. If we can keep fusarium out of the crop, it helps us to achieve a better grain size with fewer screenings.

“I’ve used Sakura successfully for a number of years now. It’s flexible, effective on both rust and fusarium, and its rain fastness and ability to penetrate the crop quickly is reassuring if the weather is looking patchy at the point of application. I generally apply Sakura at a rate of 0.6l/ha during the critical flowering period between GS63 and GS65 to maximise its effectiveness.

“There is a good argument that many growers, including myself on occasions, have become overly reliant on popular triazoles such as prothioconazole – a product that can potentially be used on every crop and in every situation. However, at both T0 and T3, when product options are more limited, I’d always advise stepping back to consider other effective azoles which may do the job equally well, if not better, to improve resistance management strategies and protect the chemistry we still have.”

Tackling ongoing challnges

Ruth Stanley, the new commercial agro manager for Sumitomo Chemical UK covering the UK and Ireland, supports Mr Lamont’s views on widening the use of other triazoles to improve overall resistance management and highlights trial work on the performance of the bromuconazole + tebuconazole co-formulated combination.

According to Ms Stanley, both ADAS and the AHDB have trialled Sakura in recent years, with results showing that a dual azole approach of bromuconazole + tebuconazole offers higher control of fusarium species, including more effective control of key T3 diseases such as F. graminearum and F. culmorum, than solo azoles.

Sakura also helps reduce mycotoxin levels in the crop which, if not eradicated, can make crop marketing a challenge, particularly if growing for milling or lower-grade human consumption.

“Future control of fusarium and other complex diseases such as brown and yellow rust is an ongoing challenge and, due to the probability that tebuconazole could disappear from growers armoury in the future, I’m pleased to confirm that Sumitomo Chemical are already exploring a straight bromuconazole with the expectation of availability for use by the time tebuconazole is withdrawn.

“On a personal note, it’s a very exciting time for me to join the company, given that we are well advanced with technical trials on 2 new actives we hope to bring to the market in the near future. Indiflin (Inpyrfluxam) is a new SDHI fungicide used at T1 or T2 for control of both yellow and brown rust.

“UK trials have gone extremely well, and Indiflin should be available to growers in the near future. Pavecto, our other new active, is a disruptive Qol aimed at control of Septoria. It has also impressed in recent trials and could be a potential game changer for UK growers when launched,” the expert concluded.

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Gilboa is the trade name for flumetylsulforim, an imino-tosyl-pyrimidinone chemistry which has been classified as Group 32 by the FRAC.  

This novel mode of action in cereals targets nucleic acid metabolism, a biochemical pathway that has never previously been utilised by cereal fungicides.  

This significant innovation provides valuable protection against key diseases in cereals and oilseed rape, including septoria and sclerotinia, offering UK farmers a powerful tool for disease resistance management. 

Ben Miles, managing director of Adama Agricultural Solutions UK Ltd, said: “Gilboa represents a major step forward in fungicide innovation, providing growers with an entirely new way to combat fungal pathogens in cereals and oilseed rape. 

“Its novel mode of action, along with its compatibility with existing fungicides, makes it a vital addition to disease management strategies.” 

‘Breakthrough in sustainable disease control’

Fungal diseases such as septoria have developed increasing resistance to existing fungicides, reducing the effectiveness of chemistries including SDHIs, azoles and strobilurins.  

Gilboa’s new mode of action therefore offers farmers a much-needed alternative, helping them to protect crop quality and yield. 

Mr Miles continued: “Gilboa is a game-changer for UK and European farmers, as it represents a breakthrough in sustainable disease control. 

“Its novel mode of action, which targets nucleic acid metabolism, provides much-needed diversity in fungicide options, which is especially critical as all recent cereal fungicide launches have been of similar modes of action. 

“By expanding the range of active ingredients available to UK farmers, Gilboa provides long-term, reliable disease control whilst also reducing the risk of resistance development.” 

Mr Miles added this innovation empowers farmers with more effective, long-term strategies to protect their crops and secure their yields. 

Since its early development, Adama has conducted a significant number of trials which have shown that Gilboa consistently delivers outstanding results. 

 “In wheat trials, Gilboa delivered superior septoria control compared to existing solutions. 

“Gilboa also provided extended disease control, with a lasting effect of up to 35 days after final application. Trials also revealed that more than 70% of the flag leaf area remained green for a longer period after the last treatment, contributing to higher yields,” the Adama expert added. 

Gilboa was submitted for registration in 2023 and is expected to receive approval in Great Britain in 2027 and in the EU in 2029, with further registrations planned for additional territories.  

Field events will take place in the UK during June 2025, enabling customers to witness Gilboa’s technical performance firsthand. 

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Using two biostimulants, Sirius and Pluton, the trial showed similar marketable yields to the use of the common fungicide SL567A.  

Orion’s research and development agronomist Kate Williams explained: “This trial demonstrates that biostimulants have a key role to play in the fight against cavity spot.  

“Pluton is a liquid plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Sirius is a silicon biostimulant that helps the plant take up more nutrients, strengthening it against cavity spot. An increase in calcium levels in the developing roots is particularly key.” 

 AHDB figures suggest that between 15 and 20 percent of carrot crops can be rejected by buyers as a result of the soil-borne Pythium disease, which can penetrate early in the crop-growing season and enlarge as the roots develop.  

The trial demonstrated that applications of Sirius at a rate of 0.5l/ha and Pluton at 0.5l/ha, applied at drilling, 1-2 true leaf, and 3-4 true leaf stages, produced similar results to SL567A at 1.3l/ha applied at 3-5 true leaf stage. 

“The combination of Sirius and Pluton reduced the occurrence of cavity spot lesions, improved crop uniformity and produced a higher marketable yield,” Ms Williams added.  

The average plot yield in the trial showed an untreated crop yield of 4.24 kilos. This was improved to 5.23 kilos by the use of SL567A in the control, but a yield of 5.33 kilos was achieved with the biostimulants.  

The rate of infection was halved by the use of the biostimulants, and 96% of the treated crop showed no sign of the cavity spot. 

“The devastating effect of cavity spot has been exacerbated by the recent wet growing conditions that have given rise to the Pythium violae and Pythium sulcatum fungal diseases. Using biostimulants from drilling until later leaf stages strengthens the plant against latent soil pathogens, as well as other stresses, providing higher yields for growers,” the expert concluded. 

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They also called into question Defra’s commitment to proactively support Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uptake without further impacting the competitiveness of farmers, with the EU having scrapped its proposed Sustainable Use Regulation and 50% pesticide reduction target. 

The long-overdue UK Pesticides National Action Plan focuses on increasing Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which has been welcomed by the NFU, alongside compliance and a new target to reduce risk measures.  

But given the keyway for government to support uptake of IPM is through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which was closed suddenly last week, farmers have been left scratching their heads about the continued lack of joined up policy-making and the potential impact this has on the progress made to date. 

There is also little mention of farming’s achievements to date and the sector’s continuing work in reducing the potential risks associated with pesticide use. 

READ MORE: Farmers ‘betrayed again’ as Defra stops SFI applications

READ MORE: Industry calls for interim farm support scheme following SFI chaos

‘Lack of detail and commitment’

NFU deputy president David Exwood said that he was surprised over the lack of detail and commitment to ensure farmers and growers will have the crop solutions they need to produce food now and in the future. 

He added: “The UK currently has some of the most stringent pesticide regulations in the world, which control any potential impact or risks from their use. 

“UK farming is committed to demonstrating that it is continuing to take a responsible approach to using plant protection products, and it would have been good to see the NAP mark the progress we’ve made.” 

Mr Exwood explained that the previous NAP has successfully increased training of spray operators, equipment testing and stewardship initiatives.  

What is more, last year more than 6,000 Voluntary Initiative IPM Plans were completed on farms across the country.  

“The focus on IPM also aligns with the NFU’s own plant health strategy, which puts IPM at the heart of all crop protection activity. 

“While the government rightly focuses on public health and the environment, it’s critically important this is balanced with the need to grow affordable British food and increase productivity.  

“For this, farmers and growers need continued support for IPM uptake and access to more effective tools to protect crops from pests, weeds and disease and to ensure they can run thriving, profitable businesses. The NAP has come up short on the detail of how it will support this balance.

“We will be working through the full details of the new NAP and working with government to ensure this new plan protects public health and the environment, while also helping to drive sustainable climate-friendly food production in the UK,” he concluded.   

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The company behind the world’s first technology platform for creating nature-inspired, small peptide-based insect control agents has received its first patent grant, with additional patents expected to follow, while also securing a favourable biochemical-like classification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its lead peptide candidates, Solasta Bio said.

The company’s team has also explained that its technology is based on insect neuropeptides, which control essential physiological functions. By disrupting these functions in target pests such as aphids, the bioinsecticides kill pest species while being safe for the environment and friendly pollinators such as bees. 

The patent allowances from the US and European Patent Office cover the company’s novel peptide candidates, which aim at strengthening its intellectual property position and commercial strategy.  

These patents provide crucial protection for the company’s technology as it moves toward product development and commercialisation, Solasta Bio explained.

‘Potential to transform global crop protection market’

In a parallel breakthrough, the EPA has classified Solasta Bio’s lead peptide candidates as biochemical-like, a designation that significantly streamlines the regulatory approval process.  

This classification exempts the company’s products from the conventional insecticide registration pathway, reducing both the time and cost associated with bringing its green insecticides to market. 

Shireen Davies, CEO and co-founder of Solasta Bio, said: “These developments represent a major inflection point for Solasta Bio. The combination of strong patent protection and a more efficient regulatory pathway positions us exceptionally well to advance our product development and reach full commercialisation within a few years.  

“Our technology has the potential to transform the global crop protection market, and we are now one giant stride closer to realising that vision.” 

These latest milestone achievements build on Solasta Bio’s strong momentum following an oversubscribed $14 million Series A funding round in September 2024, the company confirmed.

The round attracted a number of agricultural and life science investors, including Forbion BioEconomy Fund, FMC Ventures and Corteva Catalyst, underscoring industry confidence in the company’s technology. 

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Maxentis is a versatile, two-in-one fungicide designed to fit seamlessly into farmers’ spray programmes.  

A spokesperson for Adama said: “Whether you’re looking to keep rust in check at T0 or a flexible partner product to use in conjunction with other fungicides across a range of spray timings, Maxentis delivers reliable, cost-effective protection thanks to its unique co-formulation of two trusted actives: azoxystrobin and prothioconazole.”  

Two trusted actives, one convenient solution  

The company explained that Maxentis takes the hassle out of disease management by combining 200 g/l azoxystrobin with 150 g/l prothioconazole in an easy-to-use formulation that offers broad-spectrum disease control.  

It is designed to work across multiple crops at a range of rates and timings, with its ability to be used with a wide array of partner products making disease control simpler. 

Why Maxentis?  

• A smart choice for T0: ideal for early rust control to give crops a clean start  

• Reliable, broad-spectrum protection: controls septoria, fusarium, rusts, net blotch and powdery mildew in cereals plus alternaria and sclerotinia in oilseed rape.  

• Built-in flexibility: multiple crops, application timings and excellent tank-mix compatibility.  

• Practical and cost-effective: developed with growers in mind for ease of use and efficiency.  

Flexible timing  

Wheat and triticale  

• Foliar diseases: apply from BBCH30 (stem elongation) to BBCH69 (end of flowering).  

Wheat  

• Ear diseases: apply after ear emergence until the end of flowering (BBCH59-69).  

Barley and rye  

• Foliar diseases: apply from BBCH30 (stem elongation) through to and including BBCH65 (mid flowering).  

Oilseed rape  

• Sclerotinia: apply as a protectant spray at flowering, with the optimum timing for application being at the mid-flowering stage (GS60-65).  

• Alternaria: apply as a protectant spray from full flowering (BBCH65) to and including 30% of pods at their final size (BBCH73).  

Oats  

• Maxentis is also registered for crown rust control in winter and spring oats.  

Developed with input from agronomists, growers, and spray operators, Maxentis is formulated for easy handling, reliable performance, and smooth application.  

It is a straightforward, no-fuss solution that helps you protect your crops with confidence, Adama confirmed. 

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“AminoA FLO and AminoA BLAAZT have demonstrated significant potential in reducing disease in cereals and other crops, particularly within low or no fungicide programmes,” explains AminoA managing director, Richard Phillips. The natural amino acid biostimulant AminoA FLO is a highly concentrated l-isomer amino acid complex.

“Trials conducted by NIAB on winter wheat saw AminoA FLO produce a statistically significant yield increase above a reduced fungicide programme, and also a significant increase in green leaf retention, highlighting its role in maintaining plant health,” continues Mr Phillips.

“Improve yield and quality”

The use of AminoA FLO at T0 and T1 stages proved crucial in establishing yield potential and reducing fungicide reliance. The hybrid biostimulant product, AminoA BLAAZT was launched in 2021, reducing the total nitrogen application needed on crops.

“By harnessing the amine form of nitrogen, normally only produced and found in the plant itself, AminoA BLAAZT helps improve yield and quality in all crops,” explains Mr Phillips.

“Not only providing effective nitrogen nutrition, it also reduces the risk of environmental pollution from the run-off of easily leached chemical fertilisers,” he adds.

Formulated to mix with most agrochemicals, improving their efficiency, applying BLAAZT can result in reduced field operations, while significant amounts of the crop’s nutritional requirements can be delivered simultaneously, with trials and user experiences suggesting they can also help to reduce grower costs and improve profits.

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For some, the variability will be reminiscent of last season, with many early-sown forward wheats showing good growth and excellent potential, while some later-drilled crops have struggled to get going in cold, wet soils.

Essex and Suffolk-based Farmacy agronomist, Tom Smith, said that some of the most forward wheats in his area were up to growth stage 25 at the time of writing in mid-February, with the majority around GS 23/24, while those drilled in mid-November after potatoes were back nearer GS 13.

Mr Smith added: “These are the extremes, but there’s a lot of variability out there, which poses challenges for early fungicide planning, and reinforces the importance of applying treatments according to growth stage, not calendar date.

“Growers also need to recognise that later, backward crops, often go through growth stages quickly as temperatures and day length increase, potentially complicating spray timings.”

The expert added that late-drilled wheats can often be the trickier crops to manage, especially if rapid growth results in weaker stems and increased lodging risk.

Protect potential

Head of integrated crop management, David Howard, explained that both forward and backward crops need managing carefully to protect and build potential, which all starts with the T0.

“We have seen before that growers can sometimes be reluctant to invest too much in thinner crops, cutting back on early T0 and T1 sprays, only to find they then had to chase disease hard at T2 to get it back under control,” he said.

Yellow rust in particular can be more pronounced in late-sown or stressed wheats, and thinner crops are also more reliant on lower leaves to help them catch up, therefore, protecting photosynthetic capacity is key, despite the potentially lower yield potential, Mr Howard added.

With recent seasons indicating rust and Septoria are becoming more aggressive and better adapted to changing weather patterns, effective early disease control is vital to stay on the front foot in any crop.

The expert said: “The T0 fungicide may not offer the same yield responses as later treatments, but it sets the foundations for effective disease management, and crucially, helps manage the pressure on subsequent GS 32 (T1) treatments and key yield-building leaves.”

Rust focus at T0

Historically, Septoria was the main target at T0, and while Septoria control remains important in high-risk varieties and regions – particularly the West and South-West – for many, the focus has shifted towards managing rust, Mr Howard said.

“Last year saw a particularly early appearance of brown rust in some crops, and after a high-pressure season, there could be more inoculum around this spring, although much depends on the impact of winter frosts in reducing inoculum, or at least delaying onset. Equally, milder conditions, like last season, could result in earlier rust pressure.

“Rust management is a numbers game; you must act early to slow it down before inoculum builds. An effective T0 is a ‘no-brainer’ for anyone growing wheat in higher rust-risk areas of eastern counties,” he added.

Mr Smith agrees. He said: “While there has been a bit of Septoria bubbling away on older leaves, we’ve not seen much yellow rust in crops so far, but that could change quickly once conditions warm up. Although we did have a cold spell during January, conditions in this area have generally been quite mild through the autumn and winter, so inoculum is still likely to be there.”

In most situations, Mr Smith said that tebuconazole is his preferred option for controlling yellow rust at T0, in combination with a strobilurin such as azoxystrobin for extra persistence. For those looking to boost Septoria protection, consider including a multi-site like folpet, he noted.

“As always though, fungicide choices should be based on individual situations, considering things like variety, growth stage, previous cropping, drilling date, the weather, and what disease(s) you’re seeing in the field at the time.”

Growth manipulation benefit

Growth stage 30 is also an ideal time to apply a plant growth regulator, such as trinexapac-ethyl or chlormequat, to manipulate plant growth, Mr Smith said.

The aim is to control apical dominance and help balance the flow of nutrients and energy across the leaves, stems and developing spikelets, giving the plant the best chance of retaining as many tillers as it can support, with strong stems and large ears.

There is an important distinction between this early growth ‘manipulation’ and the use of PGRs at the later GS 31/32 or 37/39 timings, where the focus is on growth ‘regulation’ by shortening and strengthening the stem to reduce lodging risks, he noted.

Nutritional boost

Supporting root development of more backward crops is another important consideration at T0, and phosphite-based biostimulants have been shown to boost root growth and tiller retention, as well as enhance PGR effects. Ideally, they need to be used early, typically at GS 30, although there may be some benefit up to GS 31.

Trace elements can be a useful addition to support healthy crop growth too, said Mr Smith, particularly where previous soil testing has highlighted potential deficiencies.

“Many growers might already include magnesium or manganese, but a number of Gold soil tests we’ve done have come back showing low levels of zinc and boron on several farms, so these may be worth including at T0 and T1 where necessary.”

This season, Mr Smith hopes to conduct a tramline trial comparison to see if there is any tangible benefit to crop growth, yield and grain quality from applying zinc and boron at T0 where issues have been highlighted by soil testing.

Timing is everything

Finally, Mr Howard advises growers to be open-minded about T0 spray timing.

“Typically, many wait for GS 30, but crops are sometimes beyond that by the time of application, and when catchy weather delays spraying, some may wait until the T1 and perhaps try combining the two.

“Having a gap between T0 and T1 is beneficial though, so be flexible with the early timing. If disease is present and you are 2-4 weeks out from T1, it is worth treating, subject to product label restrictions,” he said.

Many products can only be used from GS 30 onwards, but there are some that can be applied earlier, including biological controls, he concluded.

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