Multi-site disease control with nutritional benefits for winter wheat
This year at T1 timing the foliar disease risks are not just Septoria, but also yellow rust and in some cases, mildew. The T1 fungicide treatment in wheat needs to deliver effective broad-spectrum disease protection and also a multi-site mode of action to manage the question of resistance management. Quell Flo (mancozeb) does just that.
T1 sprays are applied to control diseases already present and to prevent any further disease developing in the subsequent four week period. They go on when the winter wheat is at GS 32, a critical time as it corresponds with the emergence of leaf 3. T1 treatments are usually based around a triazole plus a multi-site protectant fungicide, such as mancozeb or chlorothalonil.
"Containing mancozeb (the world’s best-selling multi-site fungicide) in a flowable formulation, Quell Flo delivers excellent protection against Septoria as well as mildew, yellow and brown rust. In trials Quell Flo resulted in a useful 30% control of Septoria tritici 18 days after treatment, similar to 1.5 l/ha of chlorothalonil. But when it came to other diseases, for example, yellow rust, Quell Flo gave around 28% control compared to 18% from chlorothalonil and for brown rust 27% compared with chlorothalonil at just 7% control. Quell Flo also gave superior control of mildew, 57% compared with 21% for chlorothalonil. Quell Flo is a significant contender when it comes to mixing with a triazole at T1 timing. And you know it won’t interfere with the uptake and action of any other fungicides in a tank mix," says Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager for Interfarm UK Ltd.
He points out that Quell Flo also provides additional nutritional benefits. "Crops this spring have had a tough winter and in many cases are now drought stressed at a critical time when the ears are trying to maintain grain sites. Additional manganese in the foliar fungicide programme can be a big plus. At 1.5L/ha Quell Flo delivers 140g/ha of nutritionally available manganese plus 13 gms of zinc, making leaves greener, leading to improved photosynthesis (with mancozeb itself containing 20% w/w manganese and 0.2% zinc)."
Dr. Stormonth reminds growers that Quell Flo can be used throughout the programme from T0 to T3. "The standard dose of 1.5L/ha can be used repeatedly throughout the programme up to grain watery ripe stage (GS73) and the maximum total crop dose is 9.9L/ha. Rated in the HGCA’s wheat disease management guide as suitable for resistance management, Quell Flo provides consistent multi-site protection and is suitable for wheat growers in the continuing battle against Septoria."
For further comment and information, please contact Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm UK Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile)
