Crop protection

Researchers have revealed for the first time how a mechanism that controls root development in plants enables them to cope better with environmental stress conditions.

After taking over Hope Farm in 2000, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is using the land as a testbed to demonstrate how farmers can transition to more nature-friendly practices while remaining commercially profitable.

Growers are being advised to focus T0 applications on targeting yellow rust. However, if heavy rainfall and ground conditions prevent fungicide applications, T1 product rates should be increased.? 

Arable farmers are being encouraged to make early foliar phosphate applications to give crops a much-needed development boost this spring. 

Yellow rust has become a bigger yield-robber than septoria for one Midlands farm, despite him farming some distance from the disease’s traditional eastern counties hotspot.

Chemistry is fast disappearing from farming’s toolbox, but researchers and farmers in Scotland are working together to trial alternative solutions to protect the high health status of the seed potato industry.

With catchy weather causing field work issues, Farmers Guardian finds out how growers can decide where to prioritise fungicide applications.