Sugar beet experts are already sending out warnings to growers of early outbreaks of diseases such as powdery mildew, Cercospora and rusts and are advising them to initiate a programme of proven broad-spectrum fungicides to protect yields.
"BBRO Advisory Bulletins have pointed out that the recent weather has been ideal for the early development of powdery mildew and Cercospora and the first case of rust has already been reported in early July. We would expect to see mildew early on in sugar beet, but rusts are normally a problem in the later part of August and into September. Cercospora appears when the weather is much warmer. So we are faced with an unusual situation this year," says Jonathan Ball, BASF Sugar Beet Product Manager.
"If we are going to be seeing several of these diseases early, then the right approach would be to apply a fungicide that has proven activity on all major diseases of beet - powdery mildew, rusts, Ramularia and Cercospora. Opera is one of only a few options available that will offer such a spectrum," he says.
"In BASF trials, Opera gave 81% control of powdery mildew when applied at 1 l/ha and 77% control when used at 0.75 l/ha. It gave longer lasting, more consistent control than many other fungicide treatments. In four British Sugar trials, it also showed good results on Cercospora, giving 57% control of this disease. In ten European BASF trials it gave 73% control, outperforming other treatments. Against rusts Opera delivered 85% control when applied at 0.75 l/ha, and in British Sugar trials, it gave 99% control of rusts," reports Jonathan.
"In addition to its excellent disease control, Opera leads the field when it comes to producing consistent yield increases as a result of crop physiological effects. It combines the most advanced strobilurin, pyraclostrobin with the most effective triazole, epoxiconazole. It has been proven to increase greening and photosynthetic efficiency and to extend the active life of the sugar beet canopy. It also improves root quality by increasing root sugar concentration and reducing root amino nitrogen content."
"Even though it can be considered as an added value premium product, Opera will perform exceptionally well on all the main yield-eroding foliar diseases and will increase yields through its well-recognised physiological activity. This makes it an obvious choice for high performing sugar beet, either as a first or second spray. Its use will easily pay for itself many times over," says Jonathan.
Opera contains 133 g/litre pyraclostrobin and 50 g/litre epoxiconazole, formulated as a suspo emulsion. It controls powdery mildew, rust, Ramularia and Cercospora in sugar beet. Opera is applied from mid-July to mid-August at the start of foliar disease attack. It is recommended at a dose rate of 0.75 – 1.0 litre/ha in a minimum of 200 litres of water. A maximum of two applications can be made, allowing a harvest interval of six weeks.
For further comment and information please contact Jonathan Ball, BASF on 0161 488 5785 or mobile 0771 7782768
