Watch out for mildew when weather warms

Despite low levels of mildew at present, the disease could burst into life in unprotected cereal crops if warm, dry weather returns during May. This is the warning from BASF following an assessment of crop conditions at the end of April.

“All but one of the factors are in place for a potential mildew epidemic,” says Tony Grayburn, BASF Fungicide Products Manager. “We have lush crops, moist soil and, in winter wheat, a large area of a susceptible variety. We just need a hot, dry spell to trigger an explosion – and that could come at any time.”

He advises growers who did not include a mildew spray at T1 to make regular ‘mildew checks’ over the next few weeks. “Because the disease develops rapidly under the right conditions it is essential to treat it quickly before it gets out of control.”

Mr Grayburn recommends using a specific mildew fungicide such as Flexity, in combination with a morpholine, if mildew starts to spread up the plant. “This may mean going in with the sprayer before T2. It would be a mistake to wait until T2 if mildew is on the move,” he says.

However, Flexity also has the flexibility to be applied at T2 if that timing is more appropriate. Flexity can be applied up to a maximum of twice per crop but do not apply sequential applications.

Reporting on the performance of Flexity, he says it took 25% of the T1 mildew market in its first season, and because it exhibits protectant, curative and anti-sporulant activity it is set to become the new mildew standard for the UK.