Move to a Verticillium tolerant variety
ADAS are instructing growers and agronomists to look out for plants that are ripening prematurely. If this is due to Phoma stem canker, a planned programme of a tolerant variety plus a chemical programme will reduce disease. If it is due to Verticillium, the only thing you can do is move to a variety that has Verticillium wilt tolerance as there are no chemical solutions at all.
Cost-effective Keeper
Two independent seed specialists, one in Nottinghamshire and one in Kent, are both keen on the conventional rape variety Keeper. Mainly because it can be established at low input costs and it has been bred specifically for the UK. They explain their views.
Anti resistance strategy in potatoes
Resistance strains to the highly popular blight fungicide fluazinam developed in the UK population probably because of over use of a single active. Barrie Hunt of Gowan Crop Protection reports that there is no known resistance to Electis and there has been no shift in its status over the past 19 years of use.