n Editio rsary e nnive chanc 0th A your lity 2 p8 for of qua See bottle win a hisky to malt w
In this issue... Machinery marvels page 46 Crop momentum page 66 LAMMA comes in from the cold Building blocks for a wonder wheat
Conference call page 10 Potato blight page 82
Opinion
4 Talking Tilth - A word from the editor. 6 Smith’s Soapbox - Views and opinions from an Essex peasant….. Volume 21 Number 1 8 Publisher’s perspective - A look back on 20 years of CPM. February 2019 91 Last Word - A view from the field from CPM’s technical editor. Technical 10 Conferences - Farming’s fourth revolution starts here New Year conferences were tinged with a buzz of confidence, both for the technology the sector has to access, and how it could be applied in the field. 16 CPSB conference - New thinking shapes up the toolbox There were no new products but plenty of new ideas for some of arable farming’s biggest challenges from scientists who gathered in Brighton. 20 Theory to Field - Ensuring a future for fungicides Preserving the efficacy of fungicides has never been more important. 24 Tech Talk - Savvy selection eases pressure Managing barley diseases without undue selection pressure on fungicides. 28 Real Results Pioneers - Spreading risk but staying focused At the coal face of commercial agriculture without the cushion of subsidies, farming in New Zealand is about an understanding of farming fundamentals. Editor 32 OSR nutrition - Optimising sulphur in OSR AHDB has recently updated industry guidelines for sulphur in OSR Tom Allen-Stevens . 36 Company profile - A pipeline of promise Technical editor At a time when innovations in crop protection are thin on the ground, Lucy de la Pasture Corteva Agriscience is bringing an array of new products to market. Writers 42 Insiders View - Barley with a unique malting trait Tom Allen-Stevens Lucy de la Pasture If you like your barley to have good yield, strong agronomics and a unique marketing trait, then you’ll like Chanson. Peter Hill Paul Spackman Melanie Jenkins Martin Rickatson Machinery Rob Jones Design and production 46 LAMMA 2019 - In from the cold Brooks Design Exhibitors and visitors welcomed LAMMA’s move to the NEC. Advertisement co-ordinator 52 LAMMA 2019 - Farming focus for firm financial footing Peter Walker It’s worth putting the finances in order before making large purchases. Publisher 58 Fertiliser spreaders - A pattern that’s precise Clever technologies do a remarkably successful job. Angus McKirdy 62 On Farm Opinion - Nozzles widen the spraying window Business development manager Field conditions for applying pre-em herbicides can often be spot-on, Charlotte Alexander only for the weather to limit spraying opportunities.
To claim two crop protection BASIS points, send an email to [email protected], quoting reference CP/67207/1819/g. Crop momentum To claim two NRoSO CPD points, please send your name, NRoSO member number, date of birth and postcode to 66 YEN - The drive to close the yield gap [email protected] The YEN results for 2018 reveal some jaw-dropping yields. But every grower could build crop momentum and achieve maximum crop potential, says ADAS. *the claim ‘best read specialist arable journal’ is based 69 Soil health – Nematodes better measure of soil health on independent reader research conducted by Although earthworms are widely considered to be a good indicator of soil Research Engine (Mar 2018) health, new research identifies nematodes provide a better insight. Editorial & advertising sales 72 Take control – Early nurture provides momentum PO Box 4856, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 9NX Now’s the time to take your crop in hand and set it up to ensure it makes the Tel: (01743) 861122 E-mail: [email protected] most of whatever the season brings. 75 Pushing performance - Science backs up biostimulant boost Reader registration hotline 01743 861122 CPM dives deeper into the role of some of the key amino acids and organic Advertising copy N in plant health and crop development. Brooks Design, 79 Marine algae - Natural resource provides green chemistry 24 Claremont Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1RD Emerging from muddy waters is a new generation of products Tel: (01743) 244403 E-mail: [email protected] underpinned by credible science. CPM Volume 21 No 1. Editorial, advertising and sales offices are at White House Barn, Hanwood, Shrewsbury SY5 8LP. Tel: (01743) 861122. CPM is published ten times a year by Roots CPM Ltd and is available free of charge to qualifying farmers and farm managers in the United Kingdom. 82 Potato agronomy - Aggressive strains on the rise In no way does CPM Ltd endorse, notarise or concur with any of the advice, Something interesting is going on in the blight population in Europe. recommendations or prescriptions reported in the magazine. If you are unsure about which recommendations to follow, please consult 89 Fenland trials - Testing year for potato trials a professional agronomist. Always read the label. Use pesticides safely. Extreme weather variations played havoc with potato crops in 2018. CPM Ltd is not responsible for loss or damage to any unsolicited material, including photographs. crop production magazine february 2019 3 20 farms across the UK, mine should take for granted. Food, overburdensome EU regulation. being one. for example. As farmers, we tell But what’s been brilliant is the It’s a brilliant concept, governments they need us to innovation that’s come from but there’s a lot of work produce it, and society will farmers themselves to replace to do, as was evident need more of it as global it. The rise of the farmer-led, from Tom’s last visit. populations increase. But who collaborative network is A fellow investor had says farmers will produce the something new. It is glorious joined us, to see him in food of the future? and empowering and it is up to action, and there was For tens of thousands of those farmers, now, to position Will tech help quite a wait, in the chill years mankind has relied on themselves as the architects January sunshine, as Tom photosynthesis to turn the of the fourth agricultural the transition? had to be rebooted and a sun’s energy into the food revolution. few synchronisation issues energy that sustains us. But it’s And that’s why I’ve invested sorted out. incredibly inefficient –– we’ve in Small Robots. I could have I’m going to start by declaring Eventually it was all systems developed photovoltaic got it all wrong, and agriculture an interest: I’ve invested in the go, and Tom trundled into the systems that are already four could go in any number of Small Robot Company. field. But as he bumped over times better than the plants completely different directions. Apparently I’m not alone. the field margin, his 3-D printed we rely on for sustenance. But any technological revolution There are hundreds of us –– orange livery bounced off to Perhaps some new takes a stuttering start that you farmers who have been drawn reveal the simple Raspberry technology will replace food only identify in hindsight, years by this very disruptive concept Pi-based gadgetry that makes as a vital human requirement after it’s happened. I remember that crop management can be up what could be part of –– there’ll be something we’ll in 1979, sitting down with some replaced entirely, or at least the AI/robotics element of smear on ourselves, like a schoolfriends and manually augmented, with autonomous agriculture’s fourth revolution. smart suntan oil, that will keying into a microcomputer robots, to the extent we’ve Or is it just a bunch of cheap convert the sun’s energy some basic code that made parted with our cash. electronics that will never directly into sustenance. Food a triangle shoot a dot across To be honest, I don’t know replace a tractor? And it’s this as we know it will become a a screen. I saw that same whether this forms an element doubt that underlies everything, frippery, a designer good, and clunkiness in Tom as he of agriculture’s fourth revolution absolutely everything, that sits farmers will become the Ralph tumbled into my wheat field. we’re being encouraged to before us –– the uncertainty fills Laurens, Coco Chanels and I don’t know where this forge (see article on p12), or us with fear, but in equal Alexander McQueens of their journey’s going, but I want UK Farming’s version of the measure fuels our excitement. own profession. to be part of it. Emperor’s New Clothes. It It’s the combination of Brexit There’s then the question seemed a little like the latter and the fast-moving pace of of how farmers will transition. when Tom, the autonomous technology that has completely For decades we’ve become scouting robot, came to visit the turned our world upside down. accustomed to innovations from Tom Allen-Stevens has a other day (actually it was the If there is a seismic change brilliant minds that appear on 170ha arable farm in prototype Britney, but let’s not taking place, I do believe we’re the market and help us make Oxon, and this year’s trend confuse things). at the epicentre of it here in the the step change in productivity highlights see blackgrass For those who don’t know the UK –– it will either ruin us or –– just look at the products receding, wheat making a Small Robots, Tom looks like a restore us to global mastery. behind the hundreds of pounds confident re-entry into the remote-controlled car and is We have the talent and the you spend on every single ha rotation, and temporary the size of a spaniel. Equipped infrastructure to do the latter, of your wheat crop. grass as the must-have for with all sorts of cameras and but there are enough arrogant We may moan there’s less the fashion-conscious. location devices, he’s learning hotheads involved that the innovation coming through in [email protected] about what wheat is and former is a frightening possibility. these products onto farm @tomallenstevens where the weeds are on around And there’s nothing we these days –– the victim of an
challenging is that it will put has rather been dashed by the of ‘operator and bystander resistance pressure on what we fact that our government seems exposure’. In that case would it be have left. The neonic ban will to be keen on carving out an allowed if it was only used where undoubtedly hasten the anti-pesticide reputation. controlled transfer systems, low demise of pyrethroids Metaldehyde has been banned drift nozzles and margin buffer already suffering from solely by the UK while it remains strips were in place? Similarly, the resistance. While the authorised across the rest of CEH report that put the final nail loss of metaldehyde is the EU. Similarly, neonic seed in the neonic coffin reported that mitigated by the fact we dressing for sugar beet has been while neonics were a threat to have ferric phosphate, we’re allowed for derogated use in a bees its use would be more now placing slug control on just string of other EU countries but than mitigated if farmers used it The ever-depleted one active whereas a few years was rejected by Defra. alongside pollen-rich strips. toolbox ago there were several strings to Meanwhile beyond the EU the Maybe we should push for this this bow. Of biggest concern list of actives widely used abroad sort of conditionality. Finally, as when it comes to resistance is the but banned at home grows ever image-recognition camera It feels like the battle to hang possible loss of chlorothalonil. It’s longer. It never ceases to amaze technology starts to be added onto key crop protection multi-site activity has clearly kept me that good old paraquat, to spray booms, should this actives has hotted up again. a host of other wheat fungicides banned over ten years ago here, increased targeting be considered Neonicotinoids, diquat, CIPC, effective. seems to be used with increasing when regulators evaluate actives thiram and metaldehyde are all What concentrates the mind is gusto elsewhere. One of the more for reauthorisation? heading for the exit door along the fact this latest barrage of bans ‘niche’ websites I’ve visited is the We desperately need to remind with a list of others. And if comes as we are leaving the EU. ‘Paraquat Information Centre’ regulators that UK farmers have a rumours are to be believed it’s The hope that some had that if we where you can learn about all world beating record when it only a matter of time before we were free of increasingly arbitrary the wondrous ways it helps food comes to professional pesticide lose chlorothalonil. EU regulation then we would not production elsewhere in the world. use. We apply these materials What’ll make this all the more lose so many actives in the future I note under ‘sugar’ it’s says with increasing precision. At times ‘paraquat can be used to you suspect a misperception that desiccate the crop by spraying we are applying them hanging by air 3-14 days before harvest.’ out the backs of Landrovers with Just to repeat the startling bits watering cans. there –– ‘by air three days before harvest.’ Surely things have moved on since Obviously it’s a fair shout for the days when application UK farmers to urge governments procedures for some pesticides to ban imports of food stuffs that posed a serious health and use pesticides banned in the UK. environmental risk? But having recently been to the WTO in Geneva it’s clear that restricting imports on what are called ‘phtyo-sanitary’ grounds is less than straightforward under WTO rules. This fact is well illustrated by the fact that currently even in the agriculturally protective EU we import all manner of food stuffs where Guy Smith grows 500ha of actives banned in the UK are combinable crops on the north used. For instance, sugar cane, east Essex coast, namely as above, is landed into the docks St. Osyth Marsh –– officially the on the banks of the Thames on a driest spot in the British Isles. regular basis. Despite spurious claims from All this makes me wonder if UK others that their farms are farmers need to think differently actually drier, he points out about the way we lobby over that his farm is in the Guinness pesticide regulation. For instance, Book of Records, whereas others aren’t. End of. I note that one of the reasons diquat was banned was because @essexpeasant
6 crop production magazine february 2019
Now, we have the Clear Air last month about the ‘Fourth next five years is anyone’s Strategy, the Sustainable Use Agricultural Revolution’ –– guess. But much also Directive and Soil Management a transformation which will depends on how you, the Plans, with an ongoing trend unquestionably be driven reader, want to receive trusted in Government policy towards by data. information to help your arable farmers being paid for delivering Arguably, those most likely business progress. ‘environmental goods’, rather to succeed over the next two For now, we’ll continue to than producing food. decades will be the ones most print CPM on a monthly basis During CPM’s relatively short willing to interpret and use this and enjoy bringing you lifetime, feed wheat prices data to apply their crop inputs updates on a wide range bottomed out in Sept 2004 at with ever-greater precision. of technical topics –– from around £62/t and peaked at Agronomy has also changed sprays to sprayers, nutrient Two decades of £231/t in Nov 2012 following beyond all recognition since my management to new wheat transformation the wet harvest that year. The days in the field. Technologies varieties and the very latest theme of many of the features such as Hutchinson’s Omnia innovations from the brightest we’ve published during the and John Deere’s StarFire are minds. I was almost three stone past two decades has therefore making digitally-driven crop All our content is also lighter with a lot more hair been to reduce the unit cost of husbandry a present-day available through the CPM when CPM was launched in production in order to optimise reality –– and transforming the website, with additional, Feb 1999 –– it now seems returns –– and many of CPM’s agronomist’s role as a result. web-exclusive news stories amazing that was just two original readers will’ve heeded For me, there have been –– free and open access decades ago. that advice. We hope our many outstanding moments with no paywall nor login At the time, IPU was still an editorial content has helped during the past 20 years (and restriction. And despite this option for controlling blackgrass, guide you in making some way too many to provide an move to digital, in 2018 we Baytan (triadimenol+ fuberidazle) key decisions. exhaustive list here). Numerous published more print pages was the number one cereal seed Back in Feb 1999, CPM awards won by CPM writers; than we ever have before –– treatmen and Temik (aldicarb) was mailed to a database overseas trips to see exciting more than 1000 in one year was still approved for controlling of 23,000+ arable farmers, new products, machines –– so many thanks to the potato cyst nematodes. My covering around 90% of the and technologies; and the amazing CPM team for the goodness –– how things have UK’s cropped hectarage. opportunity to meet some truly hard work and unstinting changed! Today, we still reach that same inspirational characters –– Huw efforts. As an ex-agronomist, it’s approximate area of land, Phillips; Doug Stevens; Jim And of course, many thanks been fascinating to witness the but it’s farmed by a smaller Orson; Vic Jordan; Mike May; to you, the dedicated CPM launch of so many amazing number of growers –– less Profs Brian Chambers and reader. new crop protection products than 9,000 today. Michael Murphy; John Bailey; since CPM came into The route to survival for Steve Smith; and of course existence –– ground-breaking many has been to acquire Dr Stephen Moss to name but strobilurin fungicides such as more land and to intensify. a few. Landmark (kresoxim-methyl+ Bigger machines have enabled And there are challenges epoxiconazole) and wonder ever-more hectares to be ahead for the UK’s favourite Win some whisky! herbicides like Atlantis covered per day, and many arable journal. Unquestionably, Angus McKirdy is CPM’s (mesosulfuron+ iodosulfuron) smaller units have been CPM’s principle goal is to publisher and founded the –– as well as a procession gobbled up by their larger, strive to maintain high editorial magazine 20 years ago. of world-beating wheats. more progressive neighbours. standards whilst embracing the He’s interested to know Remember Robigus, Riband Yields have gradually increased digital era. Many technical what CPM readers feel and Einstein? and margins have in many publications in other industries the future holds, and is Back in 1999, the arable cases been sustained through are now 100% digital. Could offering a chance to win farming sector was relatively these economies of scale. this be the future direction one of six bottles of unfettered by some of the So what about the next for CPM? quality malt whisky for legislation which exists today. 20 years? The unprecedented In many ways, this will those willing to take part Set aside may have been a amounts of data being be driven by the roll out of in a short online survey on frustration for those who wanted generated and shared on-farm high-speed broadband in rural print vs digital. Visit the to crop all their land to optimise nowadays could be the route areas under the Government’s News section on returns, but IACS payments to future agronomic success. Universal Service Obligation, www.cpm-magazine.co.uk provided some compensation There was much talk at the and whether that leads to for full details. for not being able to do so. Oxford Farming Conference UK-wide coverage within the
8 crop production magazine february 2019
Farming’s fourth revolution starts here
Science “is both making us aware of why agriculture needs to change and also enabling that change to meet our need. Technical ” Conferences
New Year conferences were transition as direct subsidy falls away. more environmentally sustainable,” stated the But he faced criticism for an Agriculture minister. tinged with a buzz of Bill that has little mention of food and makes There are challenges, however –– confidence, both for the very few commitments. Nor could he make precision technologies, AI, robotics and data guarantees on what funding UK agriculture analytics all require investment. New forms technology the sector has will receive after 2020. of food production, such as vertical farming, to access, and how it could are currently costly and carbon intensive. Technological advances “There are important ethical, and economic, be applied in the field. Making his second address at Oxford as questions about gene-editing which we need CPM rounds up some environment secretary, Michael Gove called to debate.” for “technological advances” in UK Farming But he indicated he sees such technologies highlights from Oxford and that resonated with the conference theme as solutions to the challenges of climate arable technical conferences. World of Opportunity. change, air pollution, soil depletion, global L “The more sophisticated than ever By Tom Allen-Stevens, analysis of big data, drone development, machine learning and robotics will together Lucy de la Pasture allow us to dramatically improve productivity and Paul Spackman on traditionally farmed land,” he said. Such technologies would reduce the need for labour, minimise the imprint of vehicles on the soil, apply inputs more precisely, Environment secretary Michael Gove and adjust cultivation techniques more has stated that he wants to see the UK sensitively, driving resource efficiency. lead the way in a fourth agricultural He underlined government support for revolution and deliver a food and farming gene-editing as a way to “dramatically system that is truly sustainable and accelerate” gains secured through resource-efficient. selective breeding in the past. Speaking at the Oxford Farming “The ability to give Mother Nature a Conference at the beginning of Jan, he helping hand by driving the process of said “the potential for Britain to lead in this evolution at higher speed should allow us to revolution is huge”. He also announced develop plant varieties and crops which are a new industry-led Food Strategy and more resistant to disease and pests and less Michael Gove believes the potential for Britain to underlined the government’s commitment to reliant on chemical protection and chemical lead the fourth agricultural revolution is huge. support UK farms through its seven-year fertiliser. They will be higher-yielding and
10 crop production magazine february 2019
Conferences
A bridge across the knowledge gap
How to bring science closer to the farm to usher in the fourth agricultural revolution, was the theme of presentations in a World of Innovation session at the Oxford Farming Conference. Prof Cristobal Uauy, project leader in wheat genetics and genomics at John Innes Centre, spoke of the potential for gene-editing to dramatically reduce the amount of time an innovation can come to market. “We make a genetic advance, then we hand it to the breeders and currently it takes ten years Turn off the food production tap and we’ll to get to the farm. The exciting thing about Cristobal Uauy is excited about how massively struggle to ever turn it back on again, gene-editing is that we could get some of the gene-editing could get some of the latest warned Minette Batters. latest discoveries straight into Recommended List discoveries straight into Recommended List varieties. Then we can multiply seed and have it varieties. on the farm within three years. We don’t have to L population growth, the stress placed on cross it, shuffle all the genes up and start the water resources, deforestation and breeding process all over again.” can be a challenge, but it can happen.” biodiversity loss. Suffolk grower and AHDB Strategic farmer Dr Kate Pressland of Innovative Farmers “Science is thus both making us aware of Brian Barker called for a scientist on every farm. pointed out that innovation isn’t just about why agriculture needs to change and also “Farmers have to collaborate and get a stronger new tech. “If a farmer hasn’t used a particular enabling that change to meet our need,” voice. If we work together and act together, we technique before, that’s innovative to them. he said. Government has a role to play can direct the ocean liner of the breeders That’s what we often encounter first, and it in regulating and supporting farming. towards what farmers actually want.” should feed back through research. The “But no change is not an option.” Prof Brendan Gilmore, chair of pharmaceutical research focus is on future tech, rather than This fourth agricultural revolution microbiology at Queen’s University Belfast said on the problems farmers are actually facing.” will underpin how Defra takes forward scientists would welcome more interaction with For videos of all the presentations and its responsibilities in food, the rural farmers. “Often what happens in these situations addresses from the conference, go to economy and the environment, said is that you have to pull in other disciplines, which www.ofc.org.uk Michael Gove. He announced a new Food L
Open crop canopy after mid-flowering maximises OSR yield
Increasing light interception during a two-week critical 2-3 week period from mid-flowering. This period from mid-flowering is the key to is when seed number is set, the most significant unlocking yield potential in oilseed rape crops, physiological component of rapeseed yield. according to the latest research. “If the canopy is too dense, light is reflected Average on-farm oilseed rape yields have away from the crop during flowering, or it can’t crept up slowly over recent years, but remain penetrate down to the lower leaves and reduces frustratingly rooted below 4t/ha. To help push photosynthetic activity and yield,” explained this figure upwards, ADAS opened up its Yield Christina. Enhancement Network (YEN) competition to She highlighted that correct canopy include the brassica crop over the past two architecture starts with optimal plant populations, seasons. which tend to be below 30 plants/m2 from On top of AHDB Recommended List trials, analysis of the highest yielding YEN entries so far. Christina Clarke says correct canopy which show that yields above 5t/ha should be “Some achieved optimal results with as low as architecture starts with optimal plant achievable, ADAS have used a simple growth 15 plants/m2, with the increased branching down populations, which tend to be below model to calculate a huge OSR yield potential the stem contributing to additional pod production 30 plants/m2. of around 12t/ha. and improved seed set.” Speaking at the recent Association of Analysis has also shown the pivotal role much more important than quantity applied, so Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) annual magnesium plays, with top yielding crops knowing the growth stage of the crop through the conference near Towcester, ADAS crop research produced in soils with higher Mg availability –– season and attention to detail are vital. scientist Christina Clarke outlined the blueprint for echoed by higher Mg concentration in seeds. “Identifying which varieties perform better on reaching such figures. She also said soil and plant tissue testing for your particular soil type or farm environment can One of the standout components of the the element is important, allowing a baseline to be also help improve crop performance,” she added. blueprint is an open canopy architecture able set for more informed nutrient planning. For more on YEN and crop momentum, turn to capture maximum solar radiation during a “We have also seen that input timing is to p66.
12 crop production magazine february 2019
Conferences
numbers healthy.” “Let me make it clear at Oxford in 2019. He repeated the government’s pledge to If we ever turn the food production tap off, keep farm support the same in cash terms we will massively struggle to ever turn it up to the end of this Parliament. But he i back on again.” ndicated farming would have to demonstrate Minette called the UK a “jewel in the value for money, so that the public would world crown” of food production, urging resist any move by his Cabinet colleagues to a focus on health and nutrition –– “there reduce agriculture’s share of the budget in are no bad foods, there are many bad future. “I cannot, here, entirely pre-empt the diets” –– and said every news outlet outcome ofthe Government’s Spending also has a responsibility. “They all Review,”the minister noted. have an environment correspondent. What about food?” Pipeline of income She also urged the minister to make However, he promised farmers a “pipeline of good on verbal pledges to maintain income” through the proposed Environmental standards and the integrity of food allowed Land Management contracts, set to replace into the UK. “If you believe it, write it, direct subsidy. He said these should be paid legislate it,” she said. David Drew criticised the draft Agriculture Bill as through multi-annual contracts and would Shadow farming minister Dr David Drew one that doesn’t appear even to have agriculture complement existing sources of income and criticised the draft Agriculture Bill as as its centre point. existing initiatives already pursued. one that doesn’t appear even to have “For example, the adoption of minimum agriculture as its centre point. “Where is tillage techniques can not only decrease food in this agricultural bill? It needs to be
L Strategy that would be led by Defra’s costs and improve productivity but it also up there really well spelt out in terms of lead non-executive director, the food reduces run-off and erosion. That is a legislation,” he said. entrepreneur Henry Dimbleby. public good which contributes to improving The Opposition is aiming for substantial But there were no pledges on food water quality and for which farmers could changes to the bill, and he said he was security –– just a view to “conceptualise the be paid.” particularly disappointed at the lack of challenge properly”, with a requirement to NFU president Minette Batters welcomed commitments the government was improve the resilience of the environment. the new Food Strategy and indicated the prepared to make with it. “It’s a bill that’s “So food security in the future should mean NFU would play a lead role in helping to long on powers, which is essentially a wish for example, returning soils to robust health, bring it together, aiming to publish a strategy list on what they might want to happen, but and improving their organic content. by April this year. But she gave a stern very short on duties, which is what they will It should also mean keeping pollinator warning on food security. ensure does happen.” I
Spring barley has a strong place if you hit the spec
Rising demand for malting barley products and End-user variety and quality requirements new plant breeding techniques will reinforce varied though, so he encouraged growers to avoid spring barley’s place in many rotations over “recreational” growing and to tailor variety choice coming years, according to speakers at a and agronomy to buyer specifications. Equally, Farmacy meeting in early Jan. if spring barley was being grown for blackgrass “Spring barley faced major challenges last control, that should remain the focus, with agronomy tailored accordingly, he said. season and has been regarded as a Cinderella Growers had the opportunity to gain an insight Mark noted growers on lighter land were crop in the past, but grown correctly with the right into the distilling process at St George’s typically best placed to achieve the low grain contracts in place, it has a really good place on distillery, home of the English Whisky Company. farm,” Farmacy agronomist Peter Riley told nitrogen (<1.6%) required for distilling or brewing, growers gathered at the St George’s Distillery while those on heavier land close to south coast near Thetford in Norfolk. ports could be better targeting the higher nitrogen Using genetic markers to identify desirable “East Anglian malting barley is already a big (<1.85%) specs favoured by exporters. traits, such as disease resistance or yield, was success story; the market is expanding and “Consider your local markets, the specifications another way technology was helping. She there’s great technology coming from breeders.” maltsters want and be clear about what can be highlighted the firm’s involvement with other Mark Ineson from leading global malt supplier achieved on your farm and soil type,” he advised. companies and institutes in the Impromalt project, Muntons, said the firm had just announced £73m Technological improvements in plant breeding which is developing markers for quality traits to of investment over the next decade as it sought to are helping bring new varieties to market more improve winter malting quality cultivars. meet rising demand for malt products produced quickly, offering improved agronomics and end- Work is also ongoing to develop low-GN at its sites in Stowmarket and Bridlington. He user compatibility, added Cathy Hooper from RAGT. (glycosidic nitrile) varieties for distilling, with a acknowledged there was uncertainty about 2019 Double-haploid breeding, for example, was low-GN version of RGT Planet (currently approved trade given Brexit, but the underlying market used to produce leading spring barley variety RGT for brewing) about to enter its second year of remained strong, especially in East Anglia where Planet, and took about two years off conventional official trials and could be commercially available demand exceeded supply. breeding techniques, she said. in 2022, she said.
14 crop production magazine february 2019
New thinking shapes up the toolbox Resistance “is a one-way ticket with no returns available.”
Technical CPSB conference
There were no new products severe CSFB infestations, with damage identified on each farm. In some pairs, the but plenty of new ideas to increasing from later sowings. Feedback exOSR volunteers were controlled in from those growers who used neonic seed early/mid Aug, while in the rest, the address some of arable dressings via the Defra derogation of 2015 volunteers were left until mid Sept, by which farming’s biggest challenges reveals the treatment did little to alleviate time the new OSR crop had established. the high pressure from the pest the crops “On one site, however, only a quarter of from scientists who gathered were under. the exOSR volunteers were left for the late in Brighton to present recent treatment, while on the other the whole Companion cropping exOSR field was left,” noted Sacha. research. CPM joined them Three years of companion-cropping trials, The results showed clear benefits for to gain an insight. to find a suitable mix that will help protect CSFB pressure from delaying control of a crop from beetle grazing damage, have volunteers until mid Sept at the earliest in a By Tom Allen-Stevens shown that white mustard has the greatest nearby field coming out of OSR. “Numbers potential. “But yield suppression from of adult CSFB were consistently lower, plant inter-plant competition in late autumn populations higher and feeding damage The solutions for some of arable farmers’ is a problem, and early removal of the lower. What’s more, the effect persists until biggest problems may be the tools that companion crop is therefore required.” several weeks after the volunteers had been already lie in their hands. The question is Clearfield OSR may provide the answer, controlled. Previous work has shown a how best to use them, rather than what with the herbicide Cleravo (imazamox+ biological quirk of CSFB adults whose wing they are. quinmerac) taking out the companion plants. muscles are thought to waste away once Control of cabbage stem flea beetle “Further work is needed to decide optimal they’ve settled in a crop. That may be what’s (CSFB), aphids and grassweeds were seed rates and timing for the eventual happened here. recurrent themes of the Association of destruction of the mustard,” added Simon. “We are repeating these trials this year. Applied Biologists’ (AAB) Crop Protection in Don’t spray off your OSR volunteers too If effective this would also be a means of Southern Britain Conference, that took place early, advised Dr Sacha White of ADAS breaking the life cycle of the pest, as any in Brighton in Nov. Papers presented –– they could lure CSFB away from your eggs and larvae in the OSR volunteers L addressed the difficulties of doing so newly-established crop. These were the following the loss of neonicotinoids and preliminary findings of field-scale trials rising resistance issues. carried out under high CSFB pressure in Neonics, where used, no longer provide Cambs. “Trap crops have been shown to adequate protection for oilseed rape, noted reduce CSFB infestations, but drilling them is NIAB’s Simon Kightley. “We’ve lost the battle costly and they require careful management. against CSFB and no seed dressing will get So we looked at the potential for delaying it back.” control of volunteers in a nearby field coming His comments are based on the results of out of OSR.” a crowdsourcing survey carried out during The work has focused on two farms, the autumn from 2015-2017. Growers and looking at pairs of fields where one is Sacha White has found clear benefits for CSFB agronomists were asked, via an app, to give coming out of OSR (exOSR) and the crop is pressure from delaying control of volunteers until the location and severity of crop damage. being established in the other (new OSR). mid Sept at the earliest in a nearby field coming The survey showed up mid-Aug as the best Beetle numbers and damage were assessed out of OSR. time to establish an OSR crop to avoid in each case, with two pairs of fields
16 crop production magazine february 2019
CPSB conference
decision in April 2018 to extend the neonic from 2020, which is when UK cereal and restrictions to non-flowering crops, vegetable growers are likely to feel the effect highlighted BBRO’s Dr Mark Stevens. of the neonic ban. Of the two main vectors “This takes us into a new era. 2019 will be of BYDV into cereals, the bird cherry aphid the first time in 25 years a sugar beet crop (Rhopalosiphum padi) is the most abundant has been grown without the use of neonic species, but the grain aphid (Sitobion seed dressings.” avenae) may pose a greater threat with half By far the greatest threat is virus yellows, the population in eastern England now carried into the crop principally by the thought to be resistant to pyrethroids. peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae). Alan strongly advocates the adoption of Stephen Moss called time on looking at fitness in Only one application of Teppeki IPM strategies, such as delayed drilling, blackgrass. (flonicamid) can be made per crop, he encouraging natural enemies, and using noted. “Good on-farm hygiene and the use pest or virus-resistant strategies. “But I think L would die when the volunteers are of aphid monitoring and the virus survey will the current level of pyrethroid used is as low controlled.” become business critical.” as it is as a result of the wider use of the But on the site where only a quarter of the BBRO is supporting work to develop neonic seed treatment Deter (clothianidin). volunteers were left, there was no clear novel strategies and tolerance or resistance My prediction is that pyrethroid use will effect. “This suggests there simply wasn’t found in beet relatives. “The difficulty we double, with a resulting detrimental impact a big enough area of volunteers to attract have is in managing the gap –– it’ll take on bees and carabid beetles.” the CSFB away from the new crop,” some time to develop varieties,” he noted. noted Sacha. Independent specialist Alan Dewar Resistance resolution The challenge facing sugar beet growers warned that an increased reliance on Anyone with an inkling of hope that resistant could be even greater, following the EU pyrethroid insecticides could be expected blackgrass populations will become more susceptible over time was told to think otherwise by Dr Stephen Moss. A series of Old chemistry set for a comeback trials over three successive years, growing resistant populations with winter wheat, assessed them for any sign of a fitness
Mancozeb could be set for B WheatH inoculated fusarium trials F penalty that would reduce their prevalence a revival, especially if h t i 70% in the absence of herbicides. w
chlorothalonil (CTL) loses its d
e 60% “We found no evidence of any approval for use. “It’s a t c e
f appreciable loss of resistance with any of
broad-spectrum multi-site n
i 50%
s the herbicides studied. It is naive to think r
fungicide that’s been around a
e 40%
f blackgrass populations will quickly revert
since the 1960s. But it has no o
e 30% to being suscepible to herbicides whatever known resistance issues and is c n
e the control regime –– resistance is a d still going strong,” explained i 20% c n
i one-way ticket with no returns available,” UPL’s Pamela Chambers. 10% Trials carried out at ADAS % said Stephen. 0% “If resistance builds up to become a Gleadthorpe pitched Unizeb Untreated Proline 275 0.36 Unizeb Gold 1.5 Unizeb Gold 3.0 Folicur 0.5 Gold (mancozeb) against two T3 applications (l/ha) significant practical problem then, by definition, fitness penalties are not a barrier. other treatments for fusarium Source: UPL; trials carried out at ADAS Gleadthorpe, 2016; Proline head blight at the T3 spray (prothioconazole); Folicur (tebuconazole) Too much time is spent on pointless fitness studies.” timing (see chart right). “The Disease control in sugar beet triazoles dominate at this Don’t be too quick to get the cultivator out after harvest, noted NIAB’s John Cussans timing, but the trials showed no 90 –– you could actually be holding back the significant difference between 80
l 70 blackgrass seed loss from the weed o
the treatments.” r t
n 60 seed-bank. In trials at ADAS Boxworth, o c 50 e “There’s an underlying assumption that treatments at the T1 and T2 g a 40 if you have large numbers of seed that timing that included mancozeb, % 30 germinate before the crop is established, when compared with adding 20 there’ll be a low number of blackgrass plants CTL alone, improved yellow 10
0 in the crop itself. But the data doesn’t show rust control, green leaf area Unizeb Gold 1.6 Unizeb Gold 2.4 Unizeb Gold 3.2 Spyrale 1.0 and yield, noted Pam. “There Products and dose (l/ha) that.” does appear to be some Growers are now familiar with considering Source: UPL EU registration trials; Average % control 2013-15; Average infection two zones of the weed seed-bank –– the antagonism with CTL on yellow of cercospora in untreated plots was 41%; Spyrale (difenaconazole+ fenpropidin) rust control, but this isn’t seen top 5cm in which seed will germinate, and the zone below this in which it will lie with mancozeb.” trials have shown it has efficacy (see chart above). “All actives ungerminated and eventually die. “There’s UPL has applied for against cercospora leaf spot currently used are single site, a third zone to be managed –– on the soil approval for use of Unizeb on –– a disease that’s becoming and resistance is on the rise,” surface itself. If you incorporate seed from sugar beet. EU registration more noticeable in UK crops added Pam. here into the top 5cm, you increase indirect
18 crop production magazine february 2019 losses, but decrease direct becoming more of a problem. losses.” Results of a survey of UK farmers The losses of seed in this and agronomists conducted zone depend on conditions –– between June and Aug 2017 when it’s wet, good seed-to-soil were presented by Dr Laura contact is needed to encourage Davies of ADAS. 60% of germination on the surface. respondents said that brome had When it’s dry, John believes increased over the past 10 years, leaving seed undisturbed on the with the move towards min-till, surface increases direct losses. poor rotations and less effective This could be by predation, chemistry seen as the main microbial/fungal/bacterial action, reasons. or incomplete germination. “In the south east of England, “If you study blackgrass blackgrass is seen as the populations, a lot of seed is prevalent grassweed. But move unaccounted for if it’s left on further west and north and the surface. I’d argue that brome becomes the number incomplete germination is the one problem. Identification is biggest loss.” an issue, however –– 38% of Brome grasses are more samples sent in were misidentified, widespread across the UK than with many mistaking rye brome previously thought, and they’re for meadow brome. I
Foliar boost may enhance disease control . Foliar micronutrients and biostimulants could take the pressure off SDHI and triazole chemistry, reported Dr Syed Shah. He presented data from two years of trials showing that Gramitrel, Pro S and QLF Boost enhanced yield by, on average, 0.25-0.5t/ha. “Triazoles are offering only 50-60% control of septoria, while Syed Shah has used foliar feeds to the level of resistance to SDHIs is take the pressure of SDHIs. also growing. I think we should just use one SDHI at the T2 timing, but that would increase reliance on as an addition in fungicide trials triazoles.” (see below). Using the right trace element or “If we use these products, we biostimulant product at the right can reduce reliance on SDHIs, timing improves the plant’s although none of them performed tolerance of biotic stresses, better than chlorothalonil, which suggested Syed, and this could be is more consistent and most why they appeared to perform well cost-effective,” he noted. Effect of different T1 treatments on winter wheat
7.6 10.4
10.3 7.4 ) 10.2 e a r h o
/ 10.1
7.2 t c (
s 10
d l A 7
e 9.9 L i Y G 9.8 6.8 9.7
9.6 6.6 9.5
6.4 9.4 Ignite 0.76 + Gramitrel 2.0 + NT 2.0 + QLF Boost 10 + Pro S 5.0 + Pulsar 2.5 + Gramitrel 2.0 + + Bravo 1.0 NT 2.0 Products and applications (l/ha) Green leaf area Grain yield
Source: Agro-Digital and Biological Solutions, Warminster, 2017-18; cv Graham; All T1 treatments included 0.76 l/ha Ignite (epoxiconazole); T2 application was 1 l/ha Adexar (fluxapyroxad+ epoxiconazole);
England has“ caught up with Ireland as far as insensitivity to the SDHIs is concerned. ”
Ensuring a future for fungicides
severity of disease symptoms, says appears to be associated with strains Dr Neil Paveley, ADAS director of crop carrying the CYP51 S524T mutation protection. which have a higher EC50 against In an attempt to slow the development of prothioconazole and epoxiconazole, fungicide resistance in the UK, AHDB and he explains. the Fungicide Resistance Action Group The shift in sensitivity to SDHIs is a (FRAG-UK) set up Fungicide Futures much more recent phenomenon and field last year, a joint initiative to highlight the performance remains good. But data from resistance management advice from the AHDB’s fungicide performance trials shows industry using AHDB’s communications where solo SDHI’s were used, they didn’t resources. produce the levels of control expected from them, adds AHDB’s Dr Paul Gosling. Current chemistry Monitoring at the four trials sites provided “The short-term goal is to maintain the an interesting insight into the change in Preserving the efficacy of activity of current chemistry, particularly sensitivity to SDHIs in septoria as the the SDHIs, at a level where it’s still able to season progressed. fungicides has never been protect new fungicides, such as Revysol more important. CPM gets an (azole) and Inatreq (new mode of action), when they gain registration in the UK,” update on the latest research he explains. underpinning the resistance Learning how to best manage crops to minimise the selection pressure on management advice from fungicides is fundamental to developing Fungicide Futures. robust anti-resistance management strategies and research is ongoing to By Lucy de la Pasture support the messages being promoted by Fungicide Futures. Neil is leading a project investigating strategies to manage fungicide resistance Last season wasn’t notable for high that’s evolving concurrently against two levels of disease yet there was a modes of action. It’s something that’s continued decline in sensitivity to the happening currently in the septoria SDHI and azole groups of fungicides in population, where the pathogen is showing a decline in sensitivity to both the SDHIs some of the most important cereal Neil Paveley says the monitoring highlights just and azoles. pathogens. It’s a stark reminder that how important it is to prevent highly resistant The steady decline in azole efficacy selection for fungicide resistance occurs septoria trains from building up. with fungicide usage, regardless of the continued across Europe in 2018 and
20 crop production magazine february 2019 Theory to Field
“There’s a good geographical spread of levels go into the winter period, so sites, with one in Ireland (Teagasc), another reducing selection for such strains is in Scotland (SRUC) and two in England very important,” he highlights. (NIAB and ADAS). The septoria strains present before the T0 fungicide timing New mutations were tested by Bart Fraaije’s team at Monitoring by Rothamsted during 2018 Rothamsted Research and the frequency has also detected new septoria mutations of moderately resistant strains to SDHIs in England at very low frequencies, two was found to be 6-62% across all the of which (B-H267L and C-N86k) are sites, with Scotland having the lowest highly insensitive to SDHIs. There’s still a frequency and Ireland the highest. question mark over their fitness, but the “By the end of the season, the frequency identification of these two strains illustrates Septoria monitoring found the frequency of the of moderately resistant mutations had the danger to SDHI chemistry if resistance highly resistant (SDHI) mutation C-H152R was increased to 60-70% in England and management strategies aren’t implemented. 5-10% of the population by the end of the 35-60% in Scotland, in the plots treated “We’re now in the position where season in 2018. most intensively with SDHIs. The highly England has caught up with Ireland as far resistant C-H152R strain was detected as insensitivity to the SDHIs is concerned, at all four sites, typically at 5-10% of the so we must do all we can to prevent highly broader range of fungicides with different population.” resistant strains from dominating the modes of action to call upon, she adds. The monitoring highlights just how population,” warns Neil. “Of most concern is ramularia, which important it is to prevent highly resistant Paul believes the run of relatively low has broken every single-site fungicide that strains from building up in the fungicide disease pressure seasons could give a has been used to control it, including the population, notes Neil. “It’s only possible false sense of security when it comes to unprecedented failure of both azoles and to detect a septoria strain when it reaches the ability to control septoria in a bad SDHIs in a single season. Net blotch 4-5% of the population, so the results season. “The evidence from Ireland, where also has issues and we’re seeing a indicate that the C-H152R strain must septoria pressure is usually highest, is continued shift in the performance of QoIs have been present at a low frequency in that they’re really struggling with septoria (strobilurins) and an increase in frequency early spring but only reached detectable control.” and types of mutation year on year. The levels once all fungicide treatments had In many ways the position in barley is situation is the same in the SDHIs and been applied. worse than in wheat since a multitude we’re now starting to see double mutations. “We believe C-H152R is less fit so of diseases have issues with fungicide “In spite of the build up of more diversity declines over the winter, but it looks likely resistance, says Prof Fiona Burnett, in the net blotch population, it’s still that its frequency in early spring has plant pathologist at SRUC and chair of possible to get good levels of control in been increasing year on year as higher FRAG-UK. On the plus-side, there’s a the field by using balanced mixtures of ai’s L
Practical ways to reduce fungicide use
In order to maintain fungicide activity, we need to making varieties available with higher levels use them less, believes Mike Thompson of NW of Septoria tritici resistance and highlights the Agronomy, who also sits on FRAG-UK and the recent addition of KWS Extase (which has a trials committee of the AICC. But he’s quick to Recommended List rating of 8.1) as an example. acknowledge the challenge that presents. “One of the key resistance management “As an advisor, the priority is the crop that’s in strategies is to match the fungicide programme front of you and keeping disease levels low. That to disease risk in any given variety and situation. can make it difficult to fully adopt all the resistance These varieties really offer the potential to reduce management advice but having said that, there fungicide usage,” he says. are still many things that we can do,” he says. “If a variety has a high septoria resistance Mike highlights Fera pesticide usage figures rating and is late-sown, then it can really help with which show that only 50% of T2 fungicide disease control. For example, a crop of Graham applications contain a multisite and believes it’s (RL rating for septoria of 6.9) drilled in East Anglia an obvious area where resistance management during late Oct could potentially receive a triazole strategies could readily be improved. plus chlorothalonil at the T1 timing, whereas a Mike Thompson says there’s more agronomists “Multisites are an essential tool to help us slow Sept sown crop of KWS Santiago (RL 4.3) will can do to help reduce selection pressure in the development of disease resistance. The threat almost certainly require SDHI in the mix. Using the field. of losing chlorothalonil and possibly mancozeb is lower fungicide doses on a susceptible variety concerning because it could leave us trying to isn’t a realistic option,” he comments. fight the battle with one hand tied behind out Ensuring timeliness is something Mike timing helps avoid the extra sprays that may be back,” he comments. highlights as a practical way of alleviating the required if disease is allowed to get ahead and Mike acknowledges breeders’ efforts in pressure on fungicides. “Hitting the right spray becomes a curative situation.”
crop production magazine february 2019 21 Theory to Field
Practical measures to combat fungicide resistance in pathogens of wheat. Source: AHDB Fungicide Futures Fiona Burnett advises agronomists to make use of the range of products from different fungicide groups available in barley to take the pressure off azoles and SDHIs.
L with azole chemistry. With rhynchosporium the danger is a decline in azole efficacy. Even though they’re still effective in mixtures, we need to be careful not to over-expose them,” she adds, emphasising the widespread use of prothioconazole in particular. Another barley disease which has a long track record of resistance is powdery mildew and Fiona suggests growers think twice before treating it routinely, pointing out yield responses are only found in Practical measures to combat fungicide resistance in pathogens of barley. situations where powdery mildew infection Source: AHDB Fungicide Futures is severe.
Seed treatments resistance management decisions in the to include chlorothalonil at the T2 timing The seed-borne disease, loose smut, field are difficult but points to a number of now other fungicides can no longer be is another that appears to be less well strategies that can help ease the pressure relied upon.” controlled by SDHI/azole seed treatments on the main fungicide groups. The dose-response curves presented at than it used to be. “There’s definitely more “There has been a big shift to growing the 2018 AHDB Agronomist Conference incidences of loose smut being reported septoria resistant varieties and we need illustrate the continued shift in performance in the field and although there’s no direct to exploit these varieties more because in both SDHI and azole chemistry, though evidence yet, there’s concern it has they allow a less intensive approach to field performance where SDHIs are used evolved a partial resistance.” fungicide use,” he recommends. “Multisites in mixture with azoles remains good. Fiona advises testing seed for loose (chlorothalonil, folpet and mancozeb) “When strobilurin resistance emerged in smut and avoiding planting seed lots which are absolutely key to protect single site the early 2000’s, the type of sensitivity shift test positive for the diseases to avoid chemistry and should partner SDHIs and meant it wasn’t economic to increase dose relying on a seed treatment to ‘clean it up’. azoles –– not just in the early season to maintain control. In contrast it has been So how can selection pressure be sprays. They are at a lower risk of economic to try to maintain azole efficacy reduced in the field to help preserve the resistance, with no recorded instances by applying at robust rates. The shift efficacy of both groups of fungicides? in cereal diseases to date.” occurring in SDHI chemistry seems to be “Speed of selection is driven by the Exactly the same is true in barley, says somewhere in between the two. We are intensity of fungicide treatments, so higher Fiona, who says picking varieties with checking the data currently, but it looks like numbers of treatments and higher dose good disease resistance is the first line it won’t be economic to chase control by rates both result in faster selection for in defence. “The exception is ramularia increasing dose. The evidence from all the insensitive strains,” explains Neil. where we don’t have any resistance ratings trials shows this would just drive selection Neil acknowledges that making good available. The best strategy for ramularia is for resistant strains even harder,” says Neil.
22 crop production magazine february 2019 Theory to Field
Research roundup
AHDB Project No 21120058 ‘Managing AHDB Project No 21120015 ‘Maximising the resistance evolving concurrently against two effective life of fungicides to control oilseed or more modes of action, to extend the rape diseases, through improved resistance effective life of new fungicides’ runs from management’ runs from Jan 2017 to June Jan 2017 to March 2021 at total cost 2021 at a cost of £160,966. The project is led of £464,500 (AHDB-funding £196,500). by Rothamsted Research with partners ADAS, The project is led by ADAS, with partners BASF, Adama, DuPont, Syngenta and Bayer. Rothamsted Research, NIAB, SRUC, Teagasc, For further information on Fungicide Adama, BASF, Bayer, Dow, DuPont and Futures visit https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge- Syngenta. library/fungicide-futures
Fiona advocates extra sprays should be ADAS, has been investigating resistance avoided whenever possible to help reduce management strategies in oilseed rape. selection pressure. “There’s a lot more “Monitoring of light leaf spot populations over-wintering disease in barley crops this has shown the G460S mutation is present Faye Ritchie says even though high frequencies season than last, but whether a T0 will be in high proportions, at 70-90%. Although of the G460S mutation is being found in light leaf warranted depends on the winter. In barley this mutation is associated with a spot, azoles are still giving good field control. there’s the opportunity to do something decreased sensitivity to azole fungicides different at T0 and use cyprodinil,” in the lab, we’re still seeing good levels of in OSR for light leaf spot control, so it’s she adds. control in the field using both azole and important to be proactive with resistance “The more fungicide used, the more non-azole chemistry.” management strategies. Azoles are the pressure is put on chemistry. There’s scope Work is continuing to understand the only fungicides that can be used in the to tailor fungicide rates to different varieties impact of other mutations associated with autumn for LLS, so try and use non-azole and the risk of disease using visual signs decreased sensitivity to azoles for light leaf chemistry elsewhere in the fungicide and historic knowledge of the farm.” spot, adds Faye. programme wherever possible to reduce A project led by Dr Faye Ritchie, “There’s very limited chemistry available selection pressure.” I
crop production magazine february 2019 23
Tech Talk
The use of “multisite chemistry makes it harder for pathogens to mutate. Managing barley diseases ” Although it’s still possible to achieve good levels of disease control in UK barley crops, there’s evidence to suggest the efficacy of some modes of action is being eroded by increasing disease resistance. This article promotes the responsible use of a range of modes of action in order to take the pressure off ‘at-risk’ actives and provide early control of diseases such as ramularia, rhynchosporium and net blotch. Savvy selection eases pressure Managing barley diseases without undue selection pressure on fungicides can be a tricky task. CPM gets an update on the resistance situation and fungicide options that can help take the pressure off SDHIs and azoles. By Lucy de la Pasture
Even though the area of barley concern. Andy Bailey, Adama’s resistance and preserve the efficacy has declined considerably over fungicide technical specialist, of existing chemistry, as well as the years, there’s been a modest explains the current state of protect new active ingredients in the increase over the last few years play with the different groups of pipeline. That means it’s important in the UK, where the total barley chemistry and their role in to be mindful of overusing SDHIs area stood at 1.2 million ha in controlling barley diseases. and azoles, even though they’re still 2018 (Defra). Increasing barley mainly effective, and make use of yields have been supported by What are the main the range of different modes of high levels of fungicide use, barley diseases? action (MoA) still available in barley. which reflects poor disease The blotch and spot diseases –– For example, prothioconazole is resistance in some popular rhynchosporium, net blotch and useful against powdery mildew, but varieties as well as a preventative ramularia –– are the key challenges there’s an opportunity to diversify approach to managing disease. in barley and the drivers for the MoA with several fungicides Robust fungicide programmes fungicide programmes. Although (eg cyprodinil, metrafenone, good disease control can still put more selection pressure on proquinazid, cyflufenamid) giving Andy Bailey says understanding the be achieved in the field, it’s barley disease pathogens and effective protection and morpholines life-cycle of the different diseases is essential to use comprehensive there have been shifts in sensitivity or spiroxamine to provide curative fundamental to good disease anti-resistance strategies to across the disease spectrum, with activity when the disease is management. ramularia in particular causing slow down the development of established. For rust diseases
24 crop production magazine february 2019 Tech Talk
national yield loss of £10.2 million Net blotch isolates with (at £150/t) occurred in 2005 decreased sensitivity to SDHIs despite treatment. were first detected in 2013 and Yield losses from ramularia are there continues to be a gradual lower than the blotch diseases at shift in the population. Even approx. 0.5t/ha but infection can though SDHI/azole mixtures are drastically affect grain quality, still providing good performance in particularly by increasing the the field, the appearance of new screenings in malting barley mutations (D-H134R, C-S135R and Rhynchosporium becomes epidemic samples. One of the major C-H134R) and a shift in sensitivity under similar weather conditions to differences to the other blotch is something to bear in mind when septoria. diseases is that ramularia remains formulating fungicide strategies. asymptomatic until late in the The azoles have had fluctuations strobilurin chemistry provides an season when environmental in sensitivity between years but Net blotch needs less moisture than effective option as an alternative to triggers or stresses may occur, so are regarded as stable, with rhynchosporium so can also be SDHI or azoles, even though they you don’t know it’s going to become prothioconazole performing well problematic during humid spells later both still have very high levels of a problem at fungicide timings. in recent years. Strobilurins offer in the season. performance in controlling the variable control of net blotch, at rust diseases. How easy are they best, since the F129L mutation net blotch, providing an alternative to control? occurred several years ago. MoA which can be used at either What harm do they do? Even though rhynchosporium is a The ramularia pathogen the T1 or T2 spray timing. This Foliar diseases cause loss of major disease of barley, the tools presents the most significant makes it a useful complement to green leaf area, reducing the are available to control it. The challenge to current chemistry single-site chemistry, particularly plant’s photosynthetic capability SDHIs remain stable and are having developed strains prothioconazole, often seen as the and consequently yield. working well in the field, though which have overcome all of the cornerstone of net blotch control Rhynchosporium is the most overuse should be avoided single-site MoAs –– strobilurins, programmes, which could result damaging disease of barley in the as there’s a risk of resistance azoles and SDHIs. in over-reliance. There is also no north and west, and at GS31-32, developing. Different azoles have cross-resistance between cyprodinil visible levels of disease of just always had variable activity What other chemical and other chemistries, so it provides 1–2% will result in an economic against rhynchosporium, with options are there? an ideal mixture partner for loss if left untreated. AHDB prothioconazole the leading azole For rhynchosporium control single-site chemistry as part of a estimated a national yield loss of in terms of its field performance cyprodinil provides an alternative resistance management strategy. £7.2 million (at £150/t) in 2005 due which is still very effective. The MoA for inclusion within fungicide Multisites have no useful activity on to rhynchosporium infection despite strobilurins vary in performance programmes, with good activity net blotch. fungicide treatment. due to differences in their intrinsic against rhynchosporium and Although problems in the field Net blotch can also cause large activity, but whilst the better ones stable performance in the field. performance of SDHIs and azole losses when left uncontrolled and are giving reasonable levels of Multisites, such as folpet, provide against ramularia aren’t found early infections from trash-borne control, there’s evidence to good protectant activity with a very everywhere, it’s a sensible approach inoculum pose the biggest threat suggest a continued erosion in low risk of resistance developing. to always include chlorothalonil at to yield. According to AHDB, a field performance over time. Cyprodinil also has activity on the T2 timing. Chlorothalonil is the L
T0 application on the cards if winter doesn’t bite
Perhaps best known for their large in Notts and cabbage stem flea beetle Bazooka and spring crops will be RGT root-vegetable growing and packing pose a threat to the OSR crop. “Earlier Planet, with potential for malting. enterprise, Strawson have a further drilled crops get away quickly so are Mildew is currently active in crops, 2200ha of arable cropping balancing less at risk from adult flea beetle so Ian is prepared to go early (T0) with the rotation. Barley has increased in feeding damage, and although later a morpholine and make good use of its area again in recent years, with 198ha drilled OSR is less at risk from CSFB curative activity if the weather doesn’t of winter barley (including 128ha of larvae, the early entry provided by stop the mildew in its tracks first, or if hybrid barley) currently in the ground winter barley helps us to spread the brown rust is present. Rhynchosporium and 210ha of spring barley due to go in drilling date for OSR in the autumn is often the most problematic disease shortly. The farm is growing a further and so spread the risk,” he explains. in all but the hybrid barley, which Ian Holmes says varietal disease 33ha of hybrid barley for anaerobic Ian says choosing varieties with tends to be most susceptible to resistance is an important aspect of digestion. good disease resistance has become brown rust. disease management in all his crops. “The winter barley acreage has gone important across the range of crops Ian says he’s mindful of resistance up this year,” says company agronomist Strawson grow. His winter barley choice management but uses SDHI + azole with fairly persistent protection. I do Ian Holmes. “It’s a useful crop to help for this season is feed variety KWS mixtures at T1 and T2, with the addition try and alternate products in the spread risk, particularly as it provides Orwell, which the farm had good results of chlorothalonil at the later timing for programme and have used Cebara an early entry for oilseed rape.” with last season and remained relatively ramularia protection. “It’s an approach (cyprodinil and isopyrazam) in the The Strawson enterprise is situated clean. The hybrid barley area is in which keeps crops well covered and past at T1.”
crop production magazine february 2019 25 Tech Talk
reasonable to do so. For example, Managing barley T0 sprays may only be necessary diseases: top tips if levels of over-wintering disease are high. As disease forecasting G Make use of the range of improves it should become more actives available – strategic possible to make decisions use of cyprodinil and multisites leading to ‘smarter’ fungicide helps protect SDHIs and azoles. application. G Avoid unnecessary sprays – Timing of fungicide applications if a T0 is necessary then use is everything. When sensitivity alternative chemistry where shifts occur, it’s the curative activity possible. of a fungicide that’s eroded first. G Use balanced doses – to This makes it even more important minimise selection pressure not to get into a situation where A T0 application is only justifiable in situations where over-wintering disease while maintaining efficacy. eradicant activity is required. In a levels are high. high disease pressure situation,
L best multisite for its efficacy on it may be necessary to increase septoria-type weather. Net blotch control relies upon chlorothalonil ramularia in the UK, though folpet the rate of SDHI to maintain field spreads by splash but doesn’t applied with the T2 spray as well has some activity and its inclusion performance. This means there’s require as much moisture as as ameliorating crop stress where at T1 followed by chlorothalonil more selection pressure being rhynchosporium so it can often possible. I at T2 works well as part of a exerted, so in these situations the build up under humid conditions programmed approach. Cyprodinil rate of azole also needs to be high later in the season. Both diseases has a low level of activity and to balance and protect its partner. require early control, with the though inferior to chlorothalonil, Balanced mixtures are where both T1 timing crucial and second it may help provide incremental partners are effective against the barleys or min-tilled crops at control within the programme target disease, eg azole + SDHI the highest risk of infection. should chlorothalonil become or cyprodinil + SDHI. For rhynchosporium, the unavailable in the future. application of a multisite at T0 How can multisites help? may be a useful strategy under How important is dose The use of multisite chemistry high risk conditions. and timing? slows the rate of resistance Ramularia is seedborne The balance between reducing development and helps protect and can also be harboured on selection pressure on fungicides the efficacy of single-site partners. trash and by alternate hosts and maintaining efficacy is a tricky Folpet can give a good reduction (grassweeds). Environmental Even though prothioconazole is one. Fungicide programmes can in rhynchosporium when applied stress triggers the pathogenic effective against barley mildew, be tailored to disease risk by as a preventative treatment so fits phase of the disease and with no consider using alternative chemistry considering factors such as best at the T1 spray timing, with established varietal resistance or to reduce usage of azoles. varietal resistance, rotation and chlorothalonil the multisite of effective seed treatment options, sowing date while bearing in mind choice at T2 because of its the two factors responsible for superior activity against ramularia. driving selection pressure, ie Sponsor message frequency of application and How else can damage dose rate. be limited? Alternative modes of action, such Arizona is a unique multisite Agronomists should challenge With the solution to disease as folpet and cyprodinil, bring a fungicide containing 500g/l folpet. It’s every input and reduce usage problems no longer found reliably diversity to the spray programme not affected by resistance and provides where risk factors indicate it’s in the can, it’s become even more and are of increasing importance good contact protection against important to think hard about every to the barley grower. rhynchosporium at T0 and T1, whilst aspect of crop production –– Bontima and Cebara are also adding activity against ramularia including varietal resistance, co-formulations of isopyrazam throughout the programme. Folpet nutrition, precision, timings, (62.5g/l) and cyprodinil (187.5g/l) helps reduce the pressure on single sowing dates –– and focus on to provide protectant andcurative site active ingredients by reducing the doing things right. control of rhynchosporium and net pace at which resistance to these Understanding the life-cycle blotch, with additional activity chemistries develops. Folpet also of the different diseases is also against eyespot. The long-lasting provides activity against brown rust fundamental to good disease effect of isopyrazam ensures crops and mildew. management. Both rhynchosporium remain protected for an extended For more and net blotch inoculum can be period of time, while cyprodinil information about seedborne or carry over on trash increases the diversity of different Adama’s full range and barley volunteers. In the The ramularia pathogen doesn’t cause modes of action thereby reducing of barley fungicides spring, rhynchosporium infection symptoms until the plant becomes the potential for resistance please visit can be airborne or spread by under stress, often post-flowering. development. www.adama.com/uk rain splash and is favoured by
26 crop production magazine february 2019
Real Results Pioneers
The removal of“ subsidies is the best thing that happened, and there are few of us that would want them Spreading risk now. ” but staying focused
At the coal face of half of the farm is in a predominantly | a fair amount of this has fallen during the cereal rotation, in which two years of spring and summer, hampering fieldwork. commercial agriculture barley (both autumn and spring-sown) Most of the farm lies on Crookston soils without the cushion of follow two of autumn-sown wheat. –– a deep silty loam (about 20-25% clay content) with a good rooting depth and subsidies, farming in Major cash-earner high plant-available water. New Zealand is less about Tulip bulbs are grown on land leased What sets his business apart from most out and rotated around the arable area, arable enterprises in the UK, however, is technical fripperies and more forming a major cash-earner for the that it operates without subsidy. “Grandad an understanding of farming business. These follow two years of fodder bought the farm about 50 years ago, and crops –– forage rape followed by grass –– then subsidies were removed in the early fundamentals, as 15 UK for the farm’s 1500 store lambs. The sheep 1980s –– I remember Dad talking about it,” growers found on a recent enterprise also runs over the rest of the recalls Blair. farm that’s in permanent pasture and this “For the first few years it was hard, but it study tour. CPM reports. also provides grazing for a beef herd and drove a lot of innovation, and productivity
dairy heifers. and efficiencies increased. Jody and L By Tom Allen-Stevens “The dairy sector drives the cereal market here,” he notes. “All the cereals go to local dairy farmers as stock feed, which ‘Di-worsification’ is something New leaves you very exposed when dairy Zealand farmer Blair Drysdale is keen prices crash –– we’ve had times recently to avoid. when cereal prices have fallen below “It’s when you diversify your business NZ$250/t (£130/t), although they’re too much,” he explains. “If you try to currently around NZ$400/t (£207/t).” become Jack of all trades but master Blair’s farm is one of a number visited of none, you end up worse off than a by 15 UK arable farmers selected for the business that puts all its eggs in one BASF Innovation Tour, that took place over basket.” two weeks in Nov (see panel on p30). That said, Drylands Farming, run by Although on the other side of the world, Blair and his wife Jody, has a fairly neat the land and climate are not too dissimilar Blair Drysdale has a range of enterprises on the range of enterprises across the 325ha they to the UK –– Blair’s annual rainfall is farm, from tulip bulbs to store lambs. farm at Balfour, on South Island. Around around 780mm, although this season,
28 crop production magazine february 2019
Real Results Pioneers
Originally it was all sheep, but falling more straw. He currently follows a min-till profitability and the rising dairy sector regime for the cereals –– two shallow pushed the farm towards introducing passes with a 5m Amazone Catros a 150-head beef and dairy grazing precede a 5m Accord drill with Suffolk enterprise alongside the 3000 ewes. “This coulters. “We’re moving more towards generated cashflow, but we began to get no-till –– there was an area drilled with compaction problems, so around six years a Claydon Hybrid last year with good ago, we introduced an arable rotation.” results.” Surge is the autumn-sown barley variety Fertile soils about to go through the combine. “It’s an The move spread the risk and allowed the ugly-looking crop coming out of the winter, business to make more of its fertile soils. and sits there for a while. But then when “The tulips form an important part of the it goes, it goes –– you have to keep on rotation –– nothing comes close in cash top of it with PGR and then all through terms. They’re grown on contract for a firm the spring it’s timing, timing, timing,” Most of the farm lies on Crookston soils – a deep in Holland which leases the land, grossing says Blair. silty loam with a good rooting depth and high NZ$4000/ha (£2070/ha). They’re planted Phosphate and potash are applied in plant-available water. in the last week of April and harvested the autumn, following an annual soil test. at the end of Jan. There’s only around Nitrogen is applied in two splits –– around
L I took over the farm in 2007 and I’d say 25-30ha, so we’re just about to go into 50kgN/ha before the end of tillering with the removal of subsidies is the best thing the second seven-year cycle.” another 80-100kgN/ha two weeks later. that happened to farmers in New Zealand, Controlled burning of straw residues is As for disease, ramularia is now the big and there are few of us that would want still permitted in New Zealand, which Blair problem in barley. There’s no approval for them now.” feels is an important part of keeping weed chlorothalonil, leaving few chemical The farming system has evolved, too. seeds in check, but he’s incorporating options. “Fungicide resistance is a
Innovation tour is a real result
Fifteen UK farmers won a place on BASF’s these deep, alluvial soils and if he has no rain for Innovation Tour to New Zealand after “scanning two weeks, it’s a drought. their cans” of Adexar and Librax last growing “But there’s a very positive attitude to farming season. The group was made up of farmers from –– a lot of the business seems to be done on a all over England, Wales and Scotland, including handshake, and there’s a sense of trust in the six participants from the 50 Real Results farms in industry. Yet they have a very realistic picture of the UK. risk, aiming to protect their businesses from The 14-day tour included stops on both North market fluctuations and regulatory changes. and South islands, with a visit to a number of The dairy and arable sectors have become very different farms and to Crops 2018, hosted by the dependent on each other, and demand for dairy Foundation for Arable Research (FAR). Growers is really hotting up.” on the tour also gained an insight into Revysol, Yields on many of the farms visited were What struck Tim Beaver most about farmers in BASF’s new triazole, as NZ growers prepare for consistently high, he notes. “Blair never has an New Zealand was the solid grasp of farming its commercial roll-out later this year. autumn-sown wheat crop yielding below 9t/ha, fundamentals. Despite many aspects of farming in New for example. I was ready to pick up tips on what Zealand being similar to the UK, what struck Lincs secret inputs he may be applying, but apart from there’s a shortage of labour due to immigration grower Tim Beaver were the differences. “Soil, being remarkably free of disease, the crop policies, which is causing problems for the fruit climate and attitude are just so different. Blair has management didn’t appear out of the ordinary. industry especially. “The farmers are focused on gross margin and “UK farmers are more regulated, although this is beginning to change, and New Zealand farmers The 14-day tour included a visit to Crops 2018, fixated on fixed costs, however. There are long face the challenge of new nitrate management hosted by the Foundation for Arable Research, rotations that include livestock, and this is very policies coming in –– pollution is clearly a and growers also gained an insight into Revysol. professionally managed.” The tour was also a chance to see how Revysol problem.” performs. “The wet weather had put trials to the What struck Tim most was the solid grasp test, and although disease in untreated plots was of farming fundamentals. “There’s less generally low, compared with UK levels, ramularia yield-mapping, precision farming and use of is a big issue. This is where Revysol clearly biostimulants in New Zealand, but a sound performs, and you could see a difference understanding of the soil, their farming systems wherever it had been used,” notes Tim. and the markets, and a willingness to innovate Public attitude and regulation were other to make these work.” interesting points of comparison. “As in the UK, For full details of the winners, go to consumers are disconnected from their food and www.basfrealresults.co.uk
30 crop production magazine february 2019 Real Results Pioneers problem and it’s getting worse. With (fluxapyroxad) against his usual farm ramularia you need to keep the crop clean standard of Seguris Flexi (isopyrazam). –– if it takes hold on the flag leaf, there’s He’s also been using some of BASF’s new no getting rid of it. triazole Revysol, ahead of its commercial “We’ve had a particularly difficult release in New Zealand later this year. season this year, with some wet weather “The difference between Imtrex and driving disease and that’s pushed timings Seguris has been marginal on the barley all up the creek. Normally I’d start early this year. It’s difficult to know until the with a T0 application of a cheap triazole, combine goes through, but I’m expecting followed by two SDHI-based sprays each the Imtrex to perform slightly better. mixed with prothioconazole.” “Last year we saw a vast difference with Blair’s a keen advocate of on-farm trials strip trials in the wheat, however. We put to ensure he’s using the best options Elatus (benzovindiflupyr+ prothioconazole) available. “It’s all very well looking over the up against Adexar (fluxapyroxad+ The Innovation tour farmers heard how ramularia hedge or going to field days, but I like to epoxiconazole) and it was like daylight is now the big problem in barley – with no see how something performs on my own and dark –– the Elatus-treated wheat was approval for chlorothalonil, this leaves few farm –– I’m new to cereals, so still have a black with septoria.” chemical options. lot to learn, and on-farm trials are a very effective way to do so.” Big winner Lately he’s been trying Imtrex The big winner this year has been the di-worsification is to look at your business Revysol. “The crop’s clean from top to from outside and stay focused. This farm’s bottom, with not a sign of any disease. main asset is its topsoil –– we’d be The ramularia especially has been knackered if we didn’t look after it –– and controlled well. The weather’s kept the I have an eight-year-old son whose future barley growing and we have some big, we must consider too. So we’ll keep bold ears, so I’d be disappointed if it focused on the soil and everything else doesn’t do 10t/ha, while our average will look after itself.” I yield is around 9t/ha. “This is the season when we really could have benefited from having Revysol The Real Results Circle commercially available, and I can see a lot of growers will go for it next year. But we’ll BASF Real Results Circle farmer-led trials have to use it carefully, balancing it with are now in their third year. The initiative is SDHIs and other chemistry, or we’ll lose its focused on working with 50 farmers to efficacy,” he notes. conduct field-scale trials on their own For the future, Blair’s conscious that farms using their own kit and management his cereal enterprise is closely aligned to the systems. The trials are all assessed using fortunes of the dairy industry. It’s not just ADAS’ Agronõmics tool which delivers international trade issues this is exposed to statistical confidence to tramline, or either –– farming’s effect on the environment field-wide treatment comparisons –– is coming under increasing scrutiny. Meat a unique part of Real Results. Blair has been using Revysol in on-farm trials and dairy are two of New Zealand’s biggest In this series we follow the journey, ahead of its commercial launch in New Zealand exports, saddling the nation with a big thinking and results from farmers involved later this year. greenhouse gas and nitrate pollution burden in the programme. The features also look at for its relatively low population. It’s an some in-depth related topics, such as SDHI environmental cost not lost on the country’s performance and data capture and use. green party which holds the balance of We want farmers to share their power in a minority, Labour-led government. knowledge and conduct on-farm trials. By “The environmental side of things is coming together to face challenges as one, one of the biggest drivers, and it keeps us we can find out what really works and focused when deciding where to take the shape the future of UK agriculture. business,” notes Blair. “For me, everything To keep in touch with the progress comes down to the soil –– that’ll be the of these growers and the trials, go key to locking in carbon and keeping to www.basfrealresults.co.uk nutrients where they should be.” He’s grown a small area of hemp this year, that will be harvested for its oil and sold locally. This was direct drilled, giving the crop a favourable environmental footprint, and it could form another means The Surge autumn-sown barley has been yielding of spreading risk for the business. over 12t/ha in places. “The way to spread risk but avoid
crop production magazine february 2019 31
Optimising sulphur in OSR 14% of farmers“ are still not applying any sulphur to OSR.”
Technical OSR nutrition
AHDB has recently updated likely to see significant benefits and, by the atmosphere has being reducing industry guidelines for and large, they don’t need to apply more.” significantly.” sulphur in OSR. CPM takes But the real issue is still the number In previous years land could benefit of growers in the UK who are using no from the equivalent of 80kg SO3/ha a look at turning this into sulphur at all, highlights Allison. “The falling from the sky but following the UK’s British Survey of Fertiliser Practice for widespread industrial clean up, it’s now practical farm advice. 2017 shows that 14% of farmers are still little more than 7kg/ha, she points out. not applying any sulphur to OSR. Although “OSR is particularly sensitive to sulphur
By Rob Jones there’s evidence average OSR yields in deficiency, with lighter soils in areas L the UK have risen a little recently, they haven’t changed significantly since the Turning the latest AHDB-funded work 1980s. The gains seen in AHDB on sulphur into practical farm advice Recommended List trials since then requires consideration of application haven’t generally been reflected in the rates, an understanding of soil type field,” she says. and thinking slightly differently about supplementary sources, says Allison Grown substantially Grundy of CF Fertilisers. “The OSR area has grown substantially Latest results from AHDB-funded and in the last 30 years reaching a peak of ADAS-led research into the sulphur 756,00ha in 2012 and is now at requirements of oilseed rape suggest 563,000ha. Although rotations have current recommendations are not too far widened since the neonicotinoid ban, off the mark but more growers need to which could account for the recent yield heed the advice and use this vital element increase, frequency of the crop in the in their crops, she believes. rotation has generally increased since “The results are encouraging and the 1980s.” show that while there’s a case for revising While this explains some of the yield application rates slightly, we haven’t been challenge, it’s only one factor of many, underestimating sulphur needs to any including soil management, weed and significant degree over recent years. disease control and nutrient use, she says. Allison Grundy says the new research on sulphur Those that are already using sulphur “It can’t be ignored that at the same means a few tweaks may be needed to fertiliser and following industry guidelines can be time OSR has taken off in the UK, the practice rather than a big change. reassured they’re using it effectively and amount of sulphur deposited from
32 crop production magazine february 2019
OSR nutrition
“The response experiments were sulphur-use efficiency values associated carried out at eighteen field sites across with autumn applications of organic the country between 2011 and 2017. materials should be updated for OSR. Recorded yield responses to sulphur These should increase to 15% for livestock fertiliser ranged between 0.1t/ha and manures from the current 5-10% and up 4.4t/ha, with the optimum economic rates to 25% for biosolids from the existing at the sites varying between 30kg and 10-20%.
79kgSO3/ha. “The work also suggests that the “A range of varieties were used with sulphur-use efficiency values for no evidence to suggest that modern, spring-applied slurry and biosolids should higher-yielding OSR varieties require be increased for all crops from 35% to higher sulphur application rates.” 45% and from 20% to 35%, respectively. According to Dr Sajjad Awan, who Reliable predictor manages nutrient research at AHDB, the All of the sites showing a yield response work represents a valuable update to the had light or medium-textured soils, such original work on sulphur. as loamy sand, sandy loam or sandy “The recommendations for sulphur clay loam soils. “Soil texture and winter use were first published in RB209 in Soil texture and winter rainfall were found to be rainfall were found to be a more reliable 1994. Since then, deposition from the the most reliable predictor of sulphur deficiency, predictor of sulphur deficiency than atmosphere has decreased dramatically explains Lizzie Sagoo. simple soil analysis or tissue testing,” and the yield potential of modern varieties comments Lizzie. has increased,” he says.
L of high rainfall and low atmospheric As a result, researchers are suggesting “The assumption has been that modern depositions being especially susceptible. the guidance for sulphur application to OSR production needs much more “Sulphate, the form of sulphur taken OSR is updated to include soil texture and sulphur than the official recommendations up by crops, is soluble in water just like winter rainfall as factors when assessing suggest. Our research found this isn’t true nitrate and is therefore easily leached. the risk of S deficiency. and the current recommendations are not Deep silty or clay soils are less vulnerable “As OSR at some sites responded to a million miles away from where they need but, in most cases, they still require a slightly higher sulphur rate than the to be.” additional sulphur to protect yield current 50-75kgSO3/ha recommendations, Previous AHDB-funded research and quality.” we believe the range should be extended determined how sulphur from organic
According to ADAS soil scientist slightly to 50-80kgSO3/ha.” materials contributes to winter wheat’s Dr Lizzie Sagoo, the new work has The results also show that OSR uses requirements, but the new work has uncovered interesting insights into optimum sulphur from organic sources more now quantified its contribution to OSR, sulphur use in OSR and the way this varies efficiently than previously thought, Lizzie he points out. for different soil types. explains. “Overall we believe that Allison says balancing the nutritional value of organic manures with the Sulphur deficiency risk by soil type appropriate fertiliser choice should be encouraged, as long as this doesn’t Soil texture Winter rainfall (Nov to Feb) compromise the cost-efficiency of crop Low (<175mm) Medium (175-375mm) High (>375mm) production. Sandy High High High “At the end of the day, crop efficiency Loam/course silt Intermediate High High is about maximising output at the minimal cost possible without compromising Clay/fine silt/peat Low Low Intermediate environmental concerns. As such, the Source: AHDB priority is to optimise cost per tonne of production rather than reducing costs Recommended changes at a glance simply for the sake of it. “There’s an obvious balance to be Existing recommendation New recommendation struck between use of farm-produced Sulphur fertiliser application rate resources, such as FYM, and other bought
(kg SO3/ha) 50-75 50-80 in organic materials with bagged material, Autumn-applied livestock manures such as sulphur-containing granular (S-use efficiency) 5-10% 15% compounds or blends.” Autumn-applied biosolids But she believes the key is for growers (S-use efficiency) 10-20% 25% to make this balance work in their favour. “As well as focusing on optimising use Spring-applied livestock manures of organic materials, it’s important to use (S-use efficiency) 35% 45% the most effective sources of inorganic Spring-applied biosolids material to make the two forms work to (S-use efficiency) 20% 35% their optimum potential. The sulphur used Source: AHDB in blends is usually in the form of granular
34 crop production magazine february 2019 OSR nutrition
Why sulphur is important in OSR
Sulphur helps develop and activate key whitening of new flowers –– they simply don’t enzymes and vitamins in the plant and is an have the rich yellow colour expected of the essential structural component of two of the 21 crop –– but soil type can often be an indicator amino acids that form protein. It’s also used by of likely problems, too. plants to produce the all-important oil content. Lighter soils in areas of high rainfall with A plant takes up sulphur as it uses nitrogen, low atmospheric depositions are especially but unlike nitrogen, it’s not mobile in the plant. susceptible to sulphur deficiency due to leaching. Crops require a sustained source of sulphur Deep silty or clay soils are less vulnerable but, from the soil throughout the growing season. in most cases, sulphur is still needed to protect In OSR, deficiencies can often be seen as a against yield and quality loss.
Sajjad Awan highlights the assumption modern ammonium sulphate, which is very different she explains. OSR production needs more sulphur than RB209 in size and density to the urea or ammonium “The constituent nutrients are granulated suggests has been found to be untrue. nitrate it’s usually blended with. This can into each fertiliser particle, so that every lead to poor spreading and inaccurate granule contains the desired analysis of distribution of nutrient, resulting in crop nutrients. The granules are also of a Over application of sulphur from using striping and reduced yield,” comments consistent size range, so they spread more than is recommended can affect the Allison. evenly across the bout width. concentration of glucosinolates in the seed, “Blends are physical mixes so there’s a “Not only does this ensure plants highlights Allison. “These compounds can real risk of the various particles separating receive the right amount of nutrients be toxic to livestock if fed in the meal after out and being distributed unevenly across for optimum uptake and growth, it also crushing, so growers really do need to be the field, negating any benefits of carefully minimises leeching risk from nitrogen careful. In 2014 we found that very high calculated application rates.” and sulphur,” she says. “In OSR the most sulphur rates pushed the glucosinolate level With a true granular compound, such practical time to apply sulphur is the first close to and over the threshold limit, so it’s or second application in early spring, as DoubleTop (27N (30SO3) or SingleTop something growers need to be aware of and towards the end of Feb to early March.” (27N (12SO3), it’s a very different situation, ensure they stick to the guidelines.” I
crop production magazine february 2019 35
A pipeline of promise
We can do “more together with the larger base we now have.”
Technical Company profile
At a time when innovations This is the company that brings together took place in Sept 2017. In June this the agricultural elements of Dow year Corteva will officially take on the in crop protection are thin AgroSciences, DuPont and Pioneer. agricultural division of the combined on the ground, Corteva “For 100 years our heritage brands business. It’s a company with a global have stood for integrity and reliability. turnover of $14bn (£10.6bn) and has a Agriscience is bringing an We have a fantastic pipeline of products worldwide R&D annual spend of $1bn array of new products coming to market in the UK, and in the (£760M), with over 140 research stations short term, it’s our innovations that set and more than 5000 scientists. to market with plans for us apart. But looking ahead, we can do Here in the UK, investment in innovation integrated solutions more together with the larger base we focuses on its R&D field station in L combining the best of its now have.” heritage brands. CPM Game-changing He points to Arylex, Inatreq and Isoclast gets exclusive insight. (see panel on p38) as three “game-changing” examples in crop protection. The company By Tom Allen-Stevens has the first Clearfield oilseed rape variety to gain a place on the AHDB Recommended List and a new seed There’s a sense of reassurance you get dressing to tackle cabbage stem beetle, when you reach for a trusted brand. It set for introduction in 2020. What’s more, has a good track record of doing the job, Zorvec (oxathiapiprolin) brings a different to the extent you’d be prepared to try out chemical group to blight control. a new product carrying that same brand. “What we’re bringing to market now and What happens, though, when three in the near future form our differentiation,” brands you’ve come to know and trust Adrian continues. “This pipeline is our become one, and will the new products strength as we build a new business based on integrated solutions, and that’s carry that same level of dependency? Innovation drives Corteva, says Adrian Gough, driven by the talent we have, as well as “It’s innovation that drives us,” states and its pipeline of products set the company new people we’re bringing into Corteva.” Adrian Gough, who heads up Corteva apart. Agriscience in the UK and Ireland. The merger that created DowDuPont
36 crop production magazine february 2019
Company profile
L Wellesbourne, Warwicks, while there’s and administration centre are at Fulbourn, genetics, which complement our crop a centre of excellence and European near Cambridge. protection portfolio. Digital applications Regulatory Centre in Abingdon, Oxon. “Integrated solutions form the future,” are already being developed, built on the
The company’s UK commercial offices Adrian asserts. “We’re strong in seed and agricultural software company Granular L
Collaboration brings pace to the product pipeline
Zypar (halauxifen-methyl+ florasulam) in 2017. Arylex has moved weed control up a gear according to category manager Alister McRobbie. “It overcomes the issue of not being able to treat weeds in cold and variable temperatures. It creates more spraying days without compromising efficacy.” And it’s not just a cereal herbicide, points out oilseed rape specialist John Sellars. “As soon as growers and advisors saw what Arylex could do in cereals they wanted to know when it would be available in OSR.” The answer was July 2018, but due to the late approval, the first major sales of Belkar Arylex gives OSR growers peace of mind, says (halauxifen-methyl+ picloram) will come this year. Andy Stainthorpe has a greater resource to back John Sellars. It provides growers with the option of waiting until up Corteva’s very strong breeding programme. their OSR crop has established before controlling Corteva lays claim to one of the strongest broadleaf weeds. innovation pipelines among the major agchem “As a post-emergence spray it gives OSR consistently high yields, stiff straw and high oil manufacturers (see table opposite). For the UK growers peace of mind because they can see the content –– we were the first to the market with a and Europe, the company boasts more major new quality of crop establishment before deciding what Clearfield variety, and PR46W21 led the List for active ingredients launched recently or within the their herbicide investment should be,” says John. many years.” next three years than most of the competition has “With the disappearance of neonicotinoids, The company has always had a good dialogue to offer. plus the poor weather growers have seen during with farmers, building strong ties through its One of the glistening jewels in this crown is establishment in recent times, Belkar’s a product Pioneer Accurate Crop Testing System (PACTS). Inatreq. “Cereal fungicides form the biggest growers have been crying out for.” This is a grower network, set up around 25 years segment of the UK crop protection market –– Maize and oilseed rape are the strengths on the ago, that puts varieties through their paces in around 40% of the total,” notes Adrian. “Inatreq is seed side of the business. Seed specialist Andy large-scale field trials. a new mode of action at a time many products Stainthorpe maintains the Pioneer heritage OSR “What we’ve lacked in the UK before now is a are being withdrawn and fungicide resistance is portfolio has had long-established success in the proper base in this country –– Pioneer used to on the rise. We’re confident it’ll provide a number UK with sales of up to 25% of the hybrid market. operate from Germany, with a very small team of significant benefits to growers and quickly take “Since the 1990s, we’ve specialised in based here. Now we’re sitting down with a large share of the market.” double-low hybrids and have a reputation colleagues across the business coming up with Inatreq is a Quinone inside inhibitor, which among growers for varieties that top the RL with new ideas and we’ve a greater resource to back means it binds to a different site on the fungal up the very strong breeding programme we have. pathogen to all other cereal fungicides on the Mike Ashworth is feeling the benefits of There are exciting traits coming through, and market, explains cereal fungicide specialist cross-company collaboration. coupled with crop protection and seed-applied Mike Ashworth. technologies, we have a very strong offering for “There are two reasons to be excited,” he OSR and maize growers.” says. “Firstly, it’s a fabulous fungicide, offering Mike is also feeling the benefits of this outstanding control against septoria. Secondly, cross-company collaboration. “One of the growers are losing a lot of active ingredients things that happens is that people of different through regulatory withdrawals or resistance. backgrounds and disciplines sit down together Inatreq is equally robust against all septoria and exchange thoughts –– your preconceptions populations, including those where mutations are challenged and you challenge others,” are making disease control hard with other forms he notes. of chemistry.” “The quality of different ideas that bounce Due for launch in the UK next year, Mike says around mean that the innovation coming through the fungicide is an example of Corteva’s drive to really picks up pace in a way I’ve never deliver genuinely “game-changing” products to experienced before. We’ll look back in a few farmers. It follows on from the herbicide Arylex, years’ time and note the innovations that sparked first seen in cereals in 2016 as Pixxaro to life in those conversations that would otherwise (halauxifen-methyl+ fluroxypyr) and followed by never have seen the light of day.”
38 crop production magazine february 2019 Company profile
Corteva UK product pipeline
Name When Key strengths
s G e Arylex (Pixxaro, 2016 (cereals) Robust control of key problem cereal weeds in cold and variable temperatures d i
c G
i Zypar, Belkar) 2018 (OSR) Valuable post-em option for broadleaf weeds in OSR b r
e G
H Grassland After 2020* New actives with enhanced weed spectrum
s G
e Inatreq 2020* Effective control of septoria in wheat d i
c G i First new mode of action in cereals fungicide armoury in over a decade g n
u G F - After 2020* Further actives from Corteva Isoclast (Sequoia) 2018 (protected) G New chemical class of insecticides (sulfoximines)
s G
e 2019* (field) Effective on all species of aphids including those showing resistance to current control solutions d i
c G
i Compatibility with IPM programmes and predatory beneficials t c
e G s Cyantraniliprole (Lumiposa) 2020* Cabbage stem flea beetle seed treatment n I - After 2020* G Further actives from Dow AgroSciences heritage Zorvec 2018 G Potato blight fungicide from a different chemical group with good blight efficacy and a s t
o longer 10-day interval o R - After 2020* G Two new products PT279CL 2019 G First Clearfield OSR on AHDB RL
s PT275 2019 G Joint top gross output in E/W region OSR RL with light leaf spot score of 6 d e e
S PX131 2020 G High-yielding semi-dwarf - After 2020 G Double-low OSR hybrids with notable traits * Pending regulatory approval
crop production magazine february 2019 39 Company profile
consumers in a more meaningful way which we couldn’t do as three smaller companies.” Bigger also means better in the way the company operates and brings value to its farmer customers, Adrian points out. “We have combined resources and will become more efficient. When it comes to discovery targets and production, we can be focused, applying sufficient resource to the solutions we can be sure will deliver Integrated solutions form the future – a strong real benefit to farmers.” base in seed and genetics complements the crop Arylex, Inatreq and Isoclast form three protection portfolio and digital applications are “game-changing” newcomers in crop protection. Existing strengths being developed. He also highlights existing strengths within
L which is now owned by Corteva. We the combined business. “Our plan is to also have a growing presence with seed leverage these strengths as we develop learn and to listen as we develop products applied technologies and plan to grow our integrated solutions. A good example that will remain true to what you get from our biologics portfolio too.” is in OSR, where we have market-leading any Corteva innovation.” On the seed side, globally the company products in both crop protection and There’s a collaborative nature to this new sits in the top two in maize and soybeans, seed. Future innovations will bring approach that farmers can expect to see but currently has a lower presence in the together the talent we have in both areas. more of in the future. Adrian has plans for UK, he concedes. “Breeding technologies I expect seed applied technologies to Corteva UK to engage more with farmers face a challenge in the EU. I believe build in over time, too.” and with the wider industry than the strongly that growers in the UK should Corteva’s approach to digital is separate businesses have in the past. have the tools available in other parts of underpinned by this mission for The company was a major sponsor of the world, and if there’s an openness to operational excellence with the new CropTec and the Oxford Farming explore these technologies, it encourages business. “Farmers know us for the Conference, and this marks the start of companies like us to invest in the local reliability of our products –– when you put a process of what he calls “bringing the market and bring them on.” Broadway Star (based on pyroxulam) in outside in”. Adrian cites new breeding technologies the spray tank, for example, you know “It forms two strands: there’s an such as CRISPR Cas9 as an example. what level of efficacy this will bring and advocacy role, working with government Treated as non-GMO in other parts of the the value it adds to your business. and the likes of the Crop Protection world, the science is advancing fast. But “Everyone recognises digital will have Association and NFU to achieve results a recent decision by the Court of Justice an important role in future innovations, that are favourable to both farmers and of the EU to treat gene-edited crops as allowing farmers to make important consumers –– we have more resources to GMOs threatens to hold back breeding decisions quicker based on reliable data. make a positive difference here. advances available to UK growers. We believe they should expect the same “But it’s also about engaging with experts “The regulatory environment in the reliability from a Corteva digital solution as and with farmers themselves. We want to EU and the position the UK government they get from a crop protection product understand with farmers what their needs takes will be critical. Globally, these that carries our logo. So our strategy is to are as they progress their business and technologies will push ahead and feed into work towards productivity gains. the drive to produce more food sustainably. “Farmers know us for our great products, Hopefully a science-based approach but in the end, it’s how they’re used will be taken in the UK, because it will that brings the step change in on-farm be needed. performance. By working closely together “But it is essential to understand we can jointly achieve a commitment to consumers’ concerns and bring along growing progress.” I public acceptance. When GMOs were originally commercialised, our industry missed the mark because the data was so Company profile compelling to us, we assumed the public would see the benefits. We didn’t listen CPM would like to thank Corteva to their questions nor seek to allay their Agriscience for kindly sponsoring this concerns.” article and for providing privileged access He believes the industry has learned to staff and materials used to help put the from that experience, and being a good article together. partner in society forms a core strand of Corteva’s objectives. “As providers of innovations, we have always been Corteva has the first Clearfield oilseed rape involved in the conversation. As Corteva, variety to gain a place on the AHDB we can engage with food producers and Recommended List.
40 crop production magazine february 2019
Barley with a unique Technical Insiders View malting trait
If you like your beer to stay fresher for longer and won’t lose its flavour yield like a normal spring barley but with fresher for longer, then you’ll over time because the lox enzyme –– the null-lox trait. Its yield is on a level with which causes this –– has been bred out other leading varieties.” like Chanson. If you like your of the null-lox lines. It has a yield similar to that of RGT barley to have good yield, This enzyme causes beer to age, says Planet and Laureate but it might be Dirk Haemke at Saaten Union. “After worth watching the straw content and the strong agronomics and a discovering it, Carlsberg and Heineken got specific weight, advises Chris. “Growers unique marketing trait, then a patent on it and breeders then paid a fee don’t want the grain too thick as that could to have access to the material without this lead to high screenings.” you’ll love Chanson. particular enzyme. It’s about creating a Though Chanson first came to the UK better beer and of better quality.” when it entered the RL as a candidate By Melanie Jenkins Breeders started developing null-lox varieties 10 years ago, but these varieties suffered minor quality issues or didn’t have A spring malting barley, Chanson has a the desired yield initially, adds Dirk. treated yield of 102% and an agronomic package that should garner a few Something exotic pleased nods from farmers. But look Alexander Strube at Ackermann concurs at it on the AHDB Recommended List with Dirk. “At first, when you work with alongside its main and established something exotic, you spend a couple of competitors and growers might be years bringing it into an elite variety that orgiven for asking why they should grow performs well in the field. The first it. Chanson has a secret weapon up its generations often lag in yield or disease sleeve, however –– one that could open resistance. doors and markets alike and could result “The first few varieties created suffered in a tasty premium for those who secure from disadvantages but then we made the an end-user contract. cross for Chanson in 2011, several years Chanson’s core appeal lies in it being after receiving the trait and found we had a null-lox variety, explains Chris Guest at made a high performance cross that also brought in the yield,” explains Alexander. Gleadell. For those who haven’t yet come Alexander Strube, managing director at The right characteristics seem to have across the trait, it was developed through Ackermann, is proud to have brought Chanson unified in Chanson, says Dirk. “It’s the first a partnership between Carlsberg and to the market so quickly. Heineken and means that beer stays variety that brings together quality and
42 crop production magazine february 2019 Insiders View
Carlsberg developed material with the null-lox trait through a joint partnership with Heineken and sold patents to breeders so they could Chanson develop barley varieties with it. has“ that good agronomic package and yield, but the a breeder,” explains Alexander. “It has a icing on the cake is the nice level of royalties and certified seed. null-lox trait. If a breeder is not in the UK, then they are ” missing out. We used to have maybe one success every 10 to 15 years but in the late 2000s we started putting more lines in trials in the UK,” he explains. “Three years ago, we decided to step things up a notch,” says Alexander. “We already had a fruitful relationship with Elsoms, and we realised this was a great way for us to set up a joint programme and share each other’s skills. These
discussions led to the founding of Elsoms L
in 2016 it was bred by German barley breeder, Ackermann and the material has been marketed through Elsoms, says Chris. “It’s the first variety in the UK from Ackermann, and it’s nice to see a new breeder in the field.” Elsoms might not initially be a company that growers associate with barley, but the development of the null-lox varieties has led to Elsoms and Ackermann setting up a joint venture to expand into the market in the UK. “The UK has historically been one of the most attractive barley-growing countries for
Chanson at a glance
UK treated yield (% control) 102.2 UK untreated yield (% treated control) 90.3 Nitrogen content (%) 1.44 Screenings (% through 2.5mm sieve) 2.7 Specific weight (kg/hl) 66.3 Resistance to lodging 6.1 Hot water extract (1 deg/kg) 313.1 Disease resistance Mildew [8] Yellow rust [6] Brown rust 4.2 Rhynchosporium 4.9 Source: 2019 AHDB Recommended List; [ ] – limited user evaluation, says Dirk. However, following this year’s harvest Chanson has caught the attention of the big brewing groups across Europe, also resulting in the development of huge potential from Australasian markets, says Alexander. “Chanson provides brewers with a real opportunity to develop their processes and it has a very promising future ahead of it.” Chris Guest, seed manager at Chanson came about after Gleadell, says there is around 300t RGT Planet and Laureate and of Chanson available for growers its development has not been this spring. as quick, Chris points out. “Because it’s been sat behind
L Ackermann Barley.” these two varieties, it’s been Officially founded in Jul 2017, over shadowed, so we’re the agreement was signed in getting end users to buy Jan 2018 and the company now into it.” has two people dedicated to The benefits of growing barley development in the UK. Chanson in the UK will “We really are on a path to really be down to end user scale things up further now and acceptance though, adds the number of lines we have Chris. “We may see how it sent to the UK since we started does in the next six months or the programme has gone up so. But if farmers are going to by 30%. grow it for malting, they will want it to be linked to a Full recommendation contract, as this gives the “We are proud to have been security for end market able to bring Chanson up to acceptance.” speed so quickly,” says The null-lox trait puts Alexander. “It was registered for Chanson at the top for National List in 2015 and was marketing and will mean it’s added to the full RL in 2017 and of interest to farmers when hopefully this year, after going looking at this combined with through all the trials, will get full its agronomy, explains Dirk. recommendation.” But with domestic markets Though Chanson has been awaiting MBC approval, what RL approved, it is in the are the possibilities further process for approval by the afield? “Chanson has a big Malting Barley Committee potential for export to the rest (MBC). “The malting and of the world and not just brewing trials have been done, Europe,” says Alexander. It’s but it usually requires a few a brewing only variety, which years and batches to get means that the UK potential approval,” explains Dirk. “The is there, but with export, this hope is to get the process can be leveraged much finished this year. If it does get further. We’re talking to approved, it will be the first maltsters all over the world variety on the RL with the to get interest in the null-lox null-lox trait.” trait,” he explains. “Asia is “The development of showing a lot of interest, so Chanson was initially hindered things are very promising.” by poor harvesting conditions Boortmalt, one of the UK’s across Europe in the last couple biggest consumers of malting of years which impacted on the barley and now the world’s multiplication of seed for end largest maltsters, saw The null-lox trait in Chanson means that beer brewed with it stays fresher for longer and won’t lose its flavour over time.
Chanson in trials last year and So, with Chanson has done a lot of work with spearheading a new wave of null-lox varieties while Carlsberg barleys with a targeted end was developing the trait. “It’s a market, what’s next from very interesting trait as it aligns Elsoms Ackermann Barley? with specific customers,” says Two new dual purpose Koshir Kassie at Boortmalt. varieties –– Firefoxx and Barbarella –– passed two Some questions years of testing in the UK in However, one drawback has 2017 and 2018, according been Carslberg moving away to Dirk. “Firefoxx performed from using 100% null-lox very well in yield testing varieties. “There have been and Barbarella still has the some questions as to why they possibility of being approved have done so, but this is for malting, distilling and because, after getting the new brewing.” variety established, they took a The company is also step back to try other things.” developing a winter barley At its peak, Boortmalt was segment with two-row taking 23,000t of null-lox varieties starting to be trialled varieties, but this has since and six-row varieties for feed fallen. “Once Chanson has and malting, says Alexander. been approved, we expect However, he admits that the to see more of it again,” UK has its own challenges, says Koshir. “It was just for not just with distiller Carlsberg, but once it’s requirements, but lodging approved, the door will be tolerance and disease open for it to go in a number resistance. of different directions. The “With any variety we challenge will be getting it want to give well rounded approved and then marketing it. packages to UK farmers that But it is offering something that brew good beer and make no other variety is offering.” excellent whisky,” he adds. Though there’s seed “Chanson has that good availability in the UK from the agronomic package and 2018 harvest, the wet spring yield, but the icing on the and hot summer impacted cake is the null-lox trait and heavily on yields from seed contracts with merchants who crops across the country, will be looking for this will says Chris. “We have seed mean a few extra pounds in availability for this spring –– the pockets of farmers. around 300t, which is a nice I would expect there to be tonnage to get it started in a premium for this kind England.” of variety.” I
There was “a real sense of excitement and buzz. ”
Machinery LAMMA 2019 In from the cold
Exhibitors and visitors are to present decent displays of equipment, James Duggleby of Krone UK appeared heralding LAMMA’s move to exhibitors with their fingers firmly crossed to sum up everyone’s view: “The LAMMA as the doors opened at 8.30am sharp were show’s move to the NEC has been fantastic. the NEC in Birmingham as rewarded with a sudden influx. We’ve seen what we think is record another step in its passage “We had a busy stand right from the word attendance, a great positive mood, fantastic go, visitors were engaged by what we had enquiry levels and everybody seems to have from strength to strength. to show them and I heard no criticisms of really embraced the move indoors. See you CPM was there to gauge the any sort about the event,” said Adrian again in 2020!” Winnett of McCormick manufacturer Argo mood and pick out the finds. Tractors. Refined designs “I think LAMMA has been re-established Fresh options for cultivations, ploughing and By Peter Hill as a more comfortable, more accessible drilling were much in evidence at LAMMA ‘must attend’ show.” 2019 as growers weighed up the features and potential benefits of new and refined Well that was a success! Anyone who Positive experience designs –– as well as new suppliers exhibiting walked around this year’s LAMMA Fendt national sales manager Martin Hamer alongside established manufacturers. show in brogues and a light sweater –– said: “We have been really, really busy. We Among the latter, Weaving Machinery instead of the heavy boots, thick socks, firmly believe agriculture deserves a really continues to make progress in refining the umpteen upper layers and a woolly hat good shop window and we’re very pleased design and style of its seed drills, as evident needed in past years –– will have to be at the NEC –– it’s been a really positive from the down-sized version of the latest GD appreciated the change of environment. experience.” trailed drill on show.
And will recognise the positive mood at Beyond the euphoria –– and relief –– This caters for growers wanting 6m L an event where farmers, contractors and of a well-attended first indoor show, exhibitor staff could talk in detail about there remained the question of whether machinery developments and potential companies could justify the significantly investments without being distracted by higher cost of exhibiting. numbing cold. “Without a doubt,” was the response For once, perhaps, we can agree with the of Adrian Tindall of irrigation equipment organisers’ hype: “We are thrilled with the manufacturer Bauer. “One of my colleagues incredibly positive feedback, both from our is hoarse from having so many good quality exhibitors and visitors taking part, after we conversations with people; we’ve been busy provided the show UK agriculture deserves,” throughout, so it’s definitely been worth the said AgriBriefing group events director investment.” Elisabeth Mork-Eidem. It was also good to see that the event “Around 40,000 people attended the still attracted many smaller suppliers of Weaving showed a 6m version of its trailed GD event, and there was a real sense of implements, workshop tools and equipment, direct drill featuring a 5500-litre hopper above excitement and buzz throughout the 11 farm clothing and the like, who also were two rows of the cranked-over double disc packed NEC halls.” attracting plenty of attention alongside the openers. Having committed a lot of expenditure ‘big boys’.
46 crop production magazine february 2019
LAMMA 2019
depth, which creates additional tilth as it places seed above the drainage channel created by the leading tine. On the trailed drills, these components are mounted on a ‘floating’ frame supported separately from the main frame in order to isolate the coulter assemblies from the varying weight of the seed hopper’s contents. The hopper can be used for seed only The trailed Tempo L high-speed precision planter is or with a 60:40 seed:fertiliser split to get reckoned to be the widest of its type at 24 rows. selected crops off to a fast start. With a 3500-litre instead of 5500-litre hopper, It’s primarily aimed at direct drilling into the compact version of the Claydon Hybrid drill is
L designed to be lighter and easier to handle that working width to suit available tractor stubble to minimise energy input and costs the ‘full fat’ version. power; the drill is also available in 8m and when establishing grain and oilseed crops, another three widths from 4m in addition to but Claydon says the hardware also works the 3m mounted model. effectively on min-till seedbeds and on The GD is designed for zero-tillage ploughed and/or more comprehensively Shallow solution Low disturbance soil loosening at relatively crop establishment using disc coulters to cultivated land. shallow depths is the purpose of new place seed but is said to also work well in implements from Grange Machinery and pre-cultivated situations. Precision vision Dale Drills. Its core feature is the patented twin disc A fair chunk of the Väderstad stand was Common features include vertical flat coulter assembly, which is canted over 25° taken up by a new 24-row version of the discs to slice through the surface, slim legs from the vertical, with the larger of the two Tempo L precision planter –– which the with modest wings and a packer roller to discs slicing into the soil and the smaller one company reckons is the largest high-speed level off and firm up any resulting surface opening the resulting angled slot to place planter for sugar beet and oilseed rape. heave. seed. ‘High-speed’ is the important caveat here Weaving Machinery says eliminating the because unlike more conventional planters, sidewall pressure inherent in a vertical twin the Tempo L is one of a new breed capable disc design results in the slot being closed of planting a range of crops, including more easily –– the lifted ‘flap’ of soil is maize, at faster speeds than is typical. firmed down by a press wheel that also Väderstad says speeds up to 15km/h are regulates working depth –– results in less recommended but that very low levels of risk of smearing and also a lower power misses and doubles have been recorded in requirement. laboratory trials approaching 17km/h. The GD is significantly more compact Key to this ability is the Tempo’s Gilstring than previous Weaving disc drills because pressurised –– as opposed to vacuum –– the 5000-litre hopper is positioned over seed metering system and the PowerShoot rather than ahead of the two rows of concept that propels each seed down a coulters, which the operator can now see narrow tube into the furrow. more easily. In the metering unit, each seed is held in It also has GPS speed monitoring with place against a perforation by air pressure auto variable rate seeding possible, and until a small wheel on the other side blocks ISOBUS electronics to operate with a touch the airflow, whereupon the seed is propelled screen terminal in the tractor cab. (rather than left to fall) to the furrow. There, it is captured beneath a soft press Compact Claydon wheel to prevent bouncing and ensure Claydon’s latest 6m trailed drill is also more intimate seed-to-soil contact. compact –– and lighter –– than predecessors Electric drive to the metering system so that it can be operated behind a less makes it possible to switch off each row powerful tractor or is less power-demanding individually, with GPS control and a digital when working in hilly areas of the country. map providing automatic control to prevent The T6c is more than 20% lighter than the rows overlapping. full-size model, largely as a result of having All versions of the trailed Tempo L can a hopper down-sized from 5500-litres to have a 5000-litre fertiliser hopper feeding 3500-litres, and is reckoned to be capable of placement discs ahead of the planting units drilling typically 45ha a day behind a 300hp that carry seed hoppers from 100-litres on narrower models to 25-litres capacity on the tractor. Grange Machinery’s 4m Low Disturbance widest version. The seeding concept is the same –– Loosener has telescopic main beam and disc Row spacing is adjustable in each case, a soil-loosening tine to remove compaction toolbar for conversion between transport and on the 24 L in four steps from 450mm to and aerate the soil leads the way, followed working configurations. by a tine coulter at a slightly shallower 508mm.
48 crop production magazine february 2019 LAMMA 2019
Apart from consolidating the resulting tilth, wheelings across approximately 23% of the the packer regulates the working depth of Lincs farm where their implements are built the tines, which is adjusted by a pin and as part of a controlled traffic farming (CTF)
hole mechanism on the arms. regime. L There are 3m and 4m sizes, the latter having a main beam and disc toolbar with telescopic sections that are moved in for transport and out for work using a lever crank at each position, and a hydraulically folding rather than rigid packer. In both cases, the depth of the leading discs relative to the tines and packer is adjustable by a hydraulic cylinder that can also lift them out of work altogether. Each is attached to the toolbar by a rubber damped clamp. KRM’s Bredal trailed lime and fertiliser Tungsten carbide tiles fully incorporated into the spreaders can now be equipped with a new individual soil-engaging components provide Turnbuckle adjustment auto steering system controlled through an added wear protection. The discs on the Meir Agriculture implement ISOBUS terminal to follow the tractor’s built by Dale Drills are attached rigidly to tracks when turning at headlands. The Grange Machinery, started on an arable tapered box section arms welded to a advantage of this system is that any tractor farm in East Yorks by Rhun Jones, is a toolbar that is adjustable by turnbuckles to can be used (as long as it ISOBUS) rather young business established by manufacturing vary the disc working depth. than one fitted with a ‘command ball’ a tractor-mounted soil loosening toolbar Two rows of slim tines in a staggered towing hitch with mechanical linkage to primarily to operate with any other trailed formation and mounted on a hydraulically- operate the axle’s steering cylinders. The implement –– mainly a roller or seed drill. folding three-bar frame perform the soil spreader can even be set to ‘crab’ to The latest version is more of a stand-alone loosening function, while a turnbuckle- counter the effects of gravity when working implement in that it has a packer-roller adjusted packer roller completes the set up. across slopes on a less than perfectly attached to pivoting arms extending from Tom Dale explains that the family wanted grippy surface. the main frame. something better than they had for taking out
crop production magazine february 2019 49 LAMMA 2019
splayed downwards, are designed to enable against abrasion without changing the the tines to do their job at shallow depths profile of the complete assembly or creating without causing excessive surface heave. extra drag. For now, the individually replaceable What to wear point, narrow, tapered and curved shins are A new addition to JJ Metcalfe’s NG available for Metcalfe’s Option 2 low draft, component system for soil loosening low surface disturbance assembly, which is cultivation on a number of different designed for 150-350mm working depths. implements is designed to combat wear This is one of the company’s most popular of four options, being a good all-rounder, Meir Agriculture shallow soil-loosening implement of the base parts, especially in highly says Abi Metcalfe, but the NG Endurance from Dale Drills has turnbuckle-adjusted leading abrasive soils. components will also be available for the discs and following packer. The NG Endurance soil-engaging components have strategically located equally popular Option 1 for 100-300mm tungsten carbide tiles formed to sit within working depths. I L Setting the discs about 25mm deep to the existing profile of the point and “tear along the dotted line” as Tom Dale puts saddle-shaped shins. it, together with long points and wings They therefore provide an extra defence
Portuguese manufacturer Ovlac has expanded its plough range distributed by Halse of Honiton with the XPerience hydraulic variable width range, which features a new leg design for increased The Kuhn Vari-Master L reversible plough for inter-body clearance to cope with high 200-320hp tractors is available in an on-land levels of trash, a choice of side or rear- version for the first time, to suit tracklayers mounted depth/transport wheel, and and wheeled tractors with tyres too large to hydraulic or mechanical leaf spring non- run comfortably in the furrow. The design aims stop protection mechanism. A new to reduce the effects of drift caused by a headstock design has hoses passing change in offset or when set up to work in- through the centre shaft for a neater furrow with a different tractor. It also has a and skims held in place by pins rather than installation but also infinitely adjustable new side-mounting option for the coil spring bolts for tool-free depth and also pitch hydraulic front furrow width offset instead and damper suspended depth/transport wheel adjustment. of a bolt secured slide mechanism.
50 crop production magazine february 2019
A key element“ is to make sure that the farm does not spend too much on machinery – UK agriculture remains profligate in this area. ” Farming focus for firm Machinery LAMMA 2019 financial footing
With a year of unprecedented Away from the glitz and glamour of the 2. Set goals and budgets with timelines and main machinery halls at the NEC, the focus values uncertainty ahead, it’s worth was turned to getting businesses 3. Compare yourself with others, not just in putting the finances in Brexit-ready and pointing purchasing your sector, and gather information policies in a realistic direction. 4. Minimise overhead costs order before making large “Brexit is actually a slightly marginal 5. Know who your market is, listen to them purchases. CPM seeks expert issue,” notes Andersons’ Sebastian and meet their requirements Graff-Baker. “The economic cake of food 6. Focus on the details that matter but retain advice (and rounds up a few production is only so big, and there’s still a a view of the big picture more enticing novelties). substantial amount of inefficiency on many 7. Have a mindset for change and innovation farms to address. You can make the change 8. Remain disciplined and stick to your By Tom Allen-Stevens tomorrow –– getting too involved in Brexit strategy. is shying away from the issue.” The eight points are designed to be He advocates farmers spend time broad-brush, and each individual farm looking at the internal factors that affect the should consider how they relate to their Yes –– it’s a very nice piece of gleaming efficiency of the business. Andersons was business and how they can be translated kit, but how do you pay for it? That commissioned by AHDB to look at the into specific management actions, he notes. was the rather sobering question farm features of top-performing farms and eight “One of the strongest influences on business consultant Andersons was recurring themes emerged, notes Sebastian: business profitability is overhead cost asking farmers to ask themselves at 1. Have a clear business strategy, shared control. The top performers in all sectors LAMMA 2019. with partners have lower overheads than the rest. A key L Costs of production – where do you sit?
£/ha 2016 2017 2018 2019 Cost of production – feed wheat Output 1061 1205 1214 1283 Variable costs 421 395 403 443 Gross margin 640 810 811 840 Overheads 394 413 421 441 Rent and finance 242 243 242 240 Drawings 77 77 79 79 Farming margin (73) 77 70 77 BPS 213 228 228 221 Business surplus 140 305 298 298 Source: Andersons’ Loam Farm model – 600ha combinable crops, 240ha owned, 360ha on FBTs; owner, 1 full-time worker, Source: Andersons’ Loam Farm figures for 2018 adjusted for 1 harvest casual performance differentials seen in the Farm Business Survey
52 crop production magazine february 2019
LAMMA 2019
Good reception for farm-proof phone
Not only is it shock, water and dustproof, this new thermal imaging technology for tasks such as phone from Caterpillar features thermal imaging locating hot spots in grain stores, confirming capability, laser-assisted distance measuring and mastitis in dairy cattle, checking for hypothermia an indoor air quality monitor. in lambs, and on-farm fault-finding such as The Cat S61 rugged smartphone sits at draughts in sheds, or faulty machinery wiring the top of the range, specifically designed to and radiator leaks or blockages. withstand on-farm rigours. The four models It has an extended (12+ hours) battery life, a available are built to survive being dropped on 5.2in display, 16MP rear camera with LED flash, concrete or in a wet and muddy field, to handle the and packs a punch with its Snapdragon Octa-core dusty conditions of harvest or withstand a power processor, 64GB of ROM (expandable) and 4GB hose-down, with no ill effects, and can be of RAM. It’s available open, unlocked, takes dual controlled with wet hands or while wearing gloves. SIMs, and is priced at £799 from Reading-based The S61 has completed a year’s pilot with Bullitt Group, the global mobile licensee for farmers and growers who report using the inbuilt Caterpillar.
Making sense of remote grain store control
Launched at LAMMA19, the new Robydome Hot spots can be quickly targeted and resolved WTM-1 smart grain store monitoring and control –– the WTM-1 will automatically send an email point brings complete remote management of alert if any danger points or problems are temperatures and ventilation within the crop in triggered. Records continuously track progress flat-floor stores, to your smartphone or tablet. and reports as grain temperatures cool. With the The WTM-1 is a self-contained smart box in Robydome system all the store’s historical records the store, linked to its temperature probes and and data are held on the farm’s own box, rather ventilation system sensors. All the information to than a remote server. manage store conditions is available instantly, A single WTM-1 control point can manage up and in real-time, using a clear and simple to eight stores, with up to 32 sensors in each web-browser page to check and make changes. store. It’s fully compatible with the company’s Linked to ambient humidity and temperature range of wireless probes and sensors for new sensors, it can autonomously regulate if and when store installation or upgrades, as well as a retro-fit fans operate, to condition the crop to the desired for suitable existing Robydome systems. storage point.
L element is to make sure that the farm does –– other measures such as horsepower simply means owning less high-cost not spend too much on machinery –– UK per ha can be looked at. This exercise will equipment. “Sometimes, the farming agriculture remains profligate in this area.” highlight any areas where there’s room for system is fundamentally wrong with too The first step might be to compare improvement. The next stage is then to look much horsepower being deployed performance with other similar farms. at the options for addressing these issues.” growing the wrong crops in the wrong “There’s plenty of good ‘benchmarking’ Sebastian reckons the big win in terms of places. In other cases, a more open-minded information available in UK agriculture, reducing overheads often lies in cutting approach to how machinery resources and this doesn’t have to be in terms of £s machinery depreciation costs, and that are obtained is required, such as hiring, L JCB Launches New Series III Loadall
A new range of agricultural JCB Loadall telescopic improved by 14% by the low-set dash panel handlers has been launched featuring increased and upwards to a raised bucket or fork by lift, improved safety and a brand-new Command uninterrupted glazing that sweeps up and over the Plus cab. operator’s head. It’s also 50% quieter, boasting The new cab has spent five years in a best-in-class noise level of just 69db. development –– the product of 50,000 man The new Series III JCB Loadall range comprises hours and an investment by the Uttoxeter-based four models with up to 200kg increased load remains the same, and the 536-70 LP continues manufacturer of £8M. It is roomier, with 12% capacity over their predecessors –– the 6m lift unchanged with its existing low profile cab for more volume, has a neater control layout and 538-60, 7m 532-70 and 542-70, and the 9.5m poultry shed and other low height applications. provides 60% more dedicated storage space. high-lift 536-95. The heavy-lift, bulk handling There’ll be a full report on the new JCB Visibility to the front wheels and beyond has been 560-80 with 8m lift height and 6t lift capacity Loadall in the March issue of CPM.
54 crop production magazine february 2019
LAMMA 2019
Cut through the crop for conservation ag
He-Va showcased its new Top-Cutter knife roller The roller is mounted to the main toolbar at LAMMA 2019. Designed to assist in cover frame via the same rubber torsion damping crop destruction, the Top-Cutter can be fitted system used on He-Va’s disc cultivators. as an option to He-Va front presses, rolls and The Top-Cutter helps those farmers moving Disc-Rollers. towards conservation agriculture, says Opico’s Mounted ahead of the main cultivation James Woolway. “We’re developing new and elements, the roller has six double-sided blades improved mechanical ways to break down and which span its full working width and provide a incorporate cover crops and green manures so and Front-Pakkers up to 6m wide as well as transverse chopping action. The press or pakker that farmers can include green cover in their Disc-Rollers from 2.5m to 6.5m and the rings on the host machine work at right angles rotations without heavy reliance on chemicals 12.3m Tip-Roller XL, the Top-Cutter can also to the knife roller ensuring crop residues are for incorporation.” be retro-fitted to certain existing machines. comprehensively dealt with. Available as an option on He-Va Front-Rollers Prices start from £4,652 RRP.
L contractors and sharing.” First UK showing of Mirco Plough The top-performing farmers are also finally making good use of precision farming Maschio has followed up its entry into the UK there’s an interbody clearance of 105cm. tools, he continues. “It’s about measuring plough market last summer with a new bigger The plough will be available in 6-9 furrows in yield and understanding variation is and ‘beefed up’ semi-mounted Mirco plough. a shearbolt version and 6-8 furrows in the absolutely key. Expected to be on sale in the UK this non-stop hydraulic (NSH) version. Its rear wheel “If you produce a greater yield per ha, autumn, the new plough is based on a larger is in constant contact with the ground which, you will be more efficient. But the 5-7t/ha 160 x 160mm main beam frame and has the alongside a pivoting headstock design, gives areas are being subsidised by the 7-10t/ha option for in-furrow or on land/in-furrow the plough a tight headland turning angle of areas. So a wise move could be to produce ploughing. over 100°. 80% of your current output by dropping 40% Requiring pulling power of 230- 400hp, of the land you farm. It’s counter-intuitive and it makes machinery purchasing harder, but LAMMA 2019
Farmers fund new robotics concept
British farming robotics start-up the Small Robot seek to improve the way food is produced and Company has brought on board hundreds of minimise chemical usage. Instead of tractors, farmer investors in its latest round of fund-raising farmbots Tom, Dick and Harry will monitor, plant, to develop its Tom, Dick and Harry autonomous feed and weed arable crops autonomously, farming robots. precisely with minimal waste. The Crowdcube campaign, launched in Dec, The company’s small team of scientists and smashed its initial target of £500,000 within engineers are working in conjunction with a group minutes of launch, thanks to support from of trial farmers to develop the technology from Harry, the digital planting robot prototype, was farmers, who collectively contributed several early proof of concept prototype to a more robust showcased at CropTec. hundred thousand pounds. The campaign alone working model. Prototype Toms have been raised £1.2M, bringing the total funding for the scouting crops, reporting back to Wilma, the AI project to £2.5 million since its launch at the brain of the system, who can now tell wheat from Club’ panel of an additional 100 farmers, both for Oxford Farming Conference just a year ago. a weed. Harry, the digital planting robot prototype, regular consultation and to come on board to trial Small Robot Company uses the power and was showcased at CropTec. its robotics service when it is ready for large scale precision of robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to SRC is now looking to establish its ‘Hundred commercial trials in 2021. it’s a cost you can control and you can match it to the size of your business to ensure it’s truly profitable,” says Sebastian. On the policy side, there’s still a lot of uncertainty, notes colleague Richard King. “The coming year promises to be a watershed for UK agriculture –– there are scenarios of very good to very bad and everything’s on the table. “But domestic policy and future support are becoming clearer. The Secretary of State has set out his plans for England that sees support remain as it is for 2019 and 2020. The Basic Payment will then phase out and will be replaced with Environmental Land Management (ELM) contracts.” Richard points out some fundamental differences to prepare for. “BPS was all profit, but it’s likely that’s not how ELMs will work. What’s more, it’s unlikely farming will receive its current funding of £3.2bn –– I’d say we’re looking at a 50-60% cut.” The winners will be those with land attractive to public goods, he reckons –– on a flood plain, with public access or agroforestry, he suggests. Grass-based intensive farms, such as dairy enterprises may lose out. “The fundamental problem is that high-fertility systems don’t fit well in environmental schemes, although it’s still unclear exactly what public goods the government will favour.” With change also comes opportunity, but the focus during the next 12 months must remain improving the efficiency of the arming industry, Richard emphasises. “The UK farming sector has had a couple of years of good profitability. The temptation may be to use this money to ‘kit up’ to see the business through tougher times that may be ahead. However, any investment needs to be justified on its own terms.” I
The potential “savings achieved are 5-15% in ‘typical’ European arable fields. ”
A pattern that’s Machinery Fertiliser spreaders precise
Clever technologies on the developments such as electronic calibration, With WindControl added it can also latest fertiliser spreaders multi-step section control with auto headland compensate for potential spread pattern on/off and variable rate application. These distortion in windy conditions by collecting do a remarkably successful contribute to a spreader operation that’s data from a wind speed and direction job in putting prills in simpler and a distribution accuracy more sensor. consistent, and ultimately help make the Raised above the tractor to get a clear their place. CPM rounds most of fertiliser as a critical crop input. reading, the sensor provides the necessary up recent advances. data for the control software to determine Amazone Argus whether the spreading system needs By Peter Hill Constant monitoring of fertiliser distribution temporary adjustment. using radar is an option on Amazone ZA-TS spreaders equipped with ISOBUS Argus comprises an array of radar sensors above the electronics. spreading discs that check whether the trajectory of Accuracy in calibration; accuracy in Argus comprises an array of radar fertiliser granules is correct. application rate; accuracy in spread sensors above the spreading discs that pattern. check whether the trajectory of fertiliser It’s clear from these key elements of granules is correct for the required spread fertiliser spreading where manufacturers width. have focused their development energies in This can be affected by inconsistencies in creating new application technologies. the fertiliser, worn discs and vanes, and by The latest –– and arguably most high-tech working on slopes. –– development is the using of radar to Deviations are automatically corrected by monitor the trajectory of fertiliser prills and individually altering the feed-on point granules sent on their way by the spinner to the two discs, and the system remains vanes to continuously check the evenness active when border spreading or when of distribution across the spreading width. the pattern is narrowed under Amazone’s It makes a further contribution to earlier GPS-Switch control.
58 crop production magazine february 2019 Fertiliser spreaders
Option for smaller units
A tractor-mounted spreader for lime, chalk, Fibrophos and similar materials is a lower-cost alternative to the trailed spreaders produced by Danish manufacturer Bredal, whose products are distributed in the UK by KRM. The SG spreader and its electronically- controlled SGS counterpart, broadcasts from two hydraulically-driven spinners fed by a The Bredal tractor-mounted belt spreader for Amazone ZA-V and ZA-TS fertiliser spreaders can full-width belt in the base of the 500 to lime, granular fertilisers, Fibrophos and the like. be used front as well as rear-mounted using a 2000-litre hopper. new lighting and software package. A calibrated shutter regulates the volume proportional control with variable application of material and therefore the application rate rate potential. relative to the tractor’s forward speed. KRM envisages that the machine will be Bredal Twin Belt On the SG version, rate adjustment tweaks used by smaller growers, on hilly ground Like others in the Bredal spreader range from are made by hand, using a flow valve on the and for treatments applied to crops such as KRM, the F Series mounted and trailed hydraulic belt drive; the SGS has electronic carrots and other vegetables grown in beds. machines deliver fertiliser by volume from hydraulically-driven rubber belts. Optimum spreader set-up for applying the spreading functions in reverse and But instead of a single belt for both discs, two fertilisers at the same time without automates the switch-on and switch-off these machines have individual feed belts, blending is made easier with a new points at the right place for this so the feed rate can be adjusted when the front-mounting option for Amazone twin disc configuration. section control facility adjusts the spreading broadcasters. The front-mounted spreader facility width on one side to reduce over-application Available for the ZA-V and ZA-TS, enables growers to use broadcasters in in wedge-shaped areas of the field. Amazone Argus Twin, covers the practical tandem to save blending two fertilisers and Spreading width can be brought in on one requirements for mounting a fertiliser to enable each spreader to be set up with side only or both sides simultaneously in up spreader up front, such as a lighting kit, optimal settings for the characteristics of to 12 steps. but also control software that displays the materials. This is achieved by using an electric L Fertiliser spreaders
conditioning materials across 18m to 50m seconds and ‘intelligent’ software analyses working widths with accuracy thanks to the the pattern and if it deviates from the Electronic Mass Control. optimum will automatically fine-tune the This measures torque at the disc drive disc feed-on point. shafts and adjusts the flow rate of material This compensates for changing ambient to the discs to compensate for changing conditions and also fertiliser quality and humidity or inconsistencies in a mix of consistency, all of which can have an impact blended products. on the spreading characteristics of fertilisers. With satellite positioning input, the The Axmat Plus system therefore makes spreader can apply materials at variable it possible to more precisely apply a wide rates according to a prescription map or range of fertilisers across the 3200- to real-time sensing system –– for nitrogen top-dressing, for example –– and is available with weigh cells for frequent automated calibration checks on the move. Different interchangeable spreading assemblies equip the machine for granular products and powdered soil conditioners such as lime and pellet fertilisers. Bredal F Series spreaders have one feed belt per The latter version has bigger diameter disc so that the delivery rate can be adjusted (700mm) discs designed to spread to a when section control is being used. distance of 15m and capable of delivering large volumes of material. L actuator to change the position of stainless Radar sensors monitor the trajectory of steel chutes and so alter the fertiliser fertiliser propelled from the spinning discs of feed-on point to reduce the velocity of Kuhn Axis H 50.2 EMC+W spreader when material thrown from the disc vanes. the Axmat Plus option is added. The 27 sensors arranged in a horseshoe The Kuhn Axent trailed dry spreader is available Kuhn Axent shape beneath each of the machine’s two with separate granular and powdered material The Kuhn Axent 100.1 trailed fertiliser broadcasting discs scan the distribution application packs. spreader can distribute fertiliser and soil of fertiliser prills and granules every four
Spreader science shows savings
Spreader manufacturer Sulky-Burel put its Sulky-Burel notes not only the potential for Econov section control and headland input cost savings but also the beneficial effects management system to the test in a comparison on the crop of optimising fertiliser dosage, with manual control by researchers at IRSTEA and on the operator of automating the more –– the French national institute of science and challenging aspects of broadcaster operation. technology for environment and agriculture. Ammonium nitrate fertiliser was applied from Pattern refinements a tractor-mounted spreader set up for a 24m Manufacturers have been remarkably successful working width, with the operator opening and at developing effective section control for Without Econov closing the hopper shutters at headlands based spinning disc broadcasters given the challenge on their own judgement. of modifying their fan-shaped output and the With auto control, the Econov system used way the dosage is built up in multiple layers. GNSS position data, forward speed and so on to Basic systems bring the spread pattern in determine shutter opening and closing points, from one side or the other, while more advanced and to close down and open up the working versions can manipulate the spreading width width as appropriate. on both sides simultaneously to minimise Sampling determined that while manual over-treatment. control achieved 45% evenness of application And the level of definition has increased within +/-15% of the target dose rate, that enormously –– from just four sections across With Econov figure increased to 68% with the Econov the whole width to as many as 128 sections or system. infinitely variable depending upon the level of Under- and over-dosing was virtually control software sophistication. Independent research institute test comparing eliminated and the total quantity of fertiliser The potential savings achieved are clearly manual spreader on-off control (top) and fully applied was reduced by 9% –– from 1515kg dependent upon the size of fields and their automated section control using the Sulky under manual control to 1380kg with the shape but 5-15% in ‘typical’ European arable Econov system. automatic system. fields is a common claim.
60 crop production magazine february 2019 Fertiliser spreaders
4200-litre capacity spreader’s 12m to 50m Sulky DX ECO#6 working width, while saving the time taken Six-step section control brings precision by operators to check and adjust the application technologies further down the pattern manually. Sulky spreader range with two models in the DX30 range –– the DX30 W with Kverneland GEOspread capacities from 900 to 2700 litres and the Wider working widths and faster working DX30+ W with 1500 to 3000-litre hoppers. speeds are claimed for the Kverneland The ‘W’ indicates that these versions Accord Exacta TLX GEOspread, which have a built-in weigh cell with slope comes with hoppers from 1875 to 3900 compensation providing continuous litres capacity and spreading widths from calibration checks and automatic hopper An array of 27 radar sensors arranged beneath 24-40m –– subject to the characteristics of shutter adjustment to maintain the required each disc monitors the flow of fertiliser off the the material being spread. application rate. spreading vanes, enabling software to analyse The key to the increased output potential Adding the ECO#6 option with a GNSS and adjust the pattern. is a larger CentreFlow distribution system, terminal linked to the Sulky W-Vision which allows maximum flow rate of fertiliser console brings section control in six steps to be increased from the 320kg/min of across the working width to minimise existing models to the 540kg/min of over-application from the patented the TLX. crescent-shaped spread pattern, which This means that maximum flow rate can Sulky engineers say more closely mimics be achieved at 16km/h when spreading the reality of centrifugal broadcasting. 40m wide; and higher speeds are possible In addition to section control, the (subject to ground conditions) when system also provides auto shut-off and spreading to narrower widths. start-up of spreading at headlands, and The CentreFlow system comprises a whenever the tractor is brought to a halt. bowl beneath the hopper metering outlet The Sulky DX30 W spreaders already where the material accelerates to much the feature Tribord 2D border spreading Sulky-Burel has brought section control further same speed as the vanes before it falls to control, engaged and disengaged from down its range with the ECO#6 option for DX30 the discs, resulting in reduced likelihood of the cab, and variable rate application W weigh-cell spreaders. prills or granules being shattered. regulated by a prescription map. I
Nozzles widen the Coarser droplets“ from 90% drift-reducing air spraying window induction nozzles are very good at covering the soil surface target in an even manner. ”
Machinery On Farm Opinion
Field conditions for applying Air induction nozzles are based on the show the value of the slogan we’ve pre-em herbicides can often 110° wide angle, tapered flat spray tip adopted. That means a 50cm max boom pattern. There’s a large, rounded internal height, a forward speed of less than be spot-on, only for the passage designed to minimise clogging 12km/h and a 200 l/ha water volume. weather to limit spraying risk and lengthen wear life, plus a Coupled with this type of 90% drift removable pre-orifice. reduction nozzles, this provides the opportunities. CPM visits a Incorporating a venturi air aspirator best coverage and minimises drift. user of nozzles designed to into their design helps to produce large, “Our trials work shows coarser droplets air-filled droplets. Tests show these are from 90% drift-reducing air induction allow application across a less prone to drift and more likely to evenly nozzles are very good at covering the wider wind speed range. coat the soil surface. soil surface target in an even manner, and delivering exceptional levels of blackgrass By Martin Rickatson Integral part control in very challenging situations with Calculated to reduce drift by as much as high weed and resistance pressure.” 90%, promotion of the nozzles’ use has The drilling’s done, the rain has held off, formed an integral part of Syngenta’s travel conditions look good and the ‘Go Low, Go Slow, Get Covered’ application sprayer is primed and ready for advice campaign focused on helping users pre-emergence herbicide application. achieve successful results from its Defy There’s only one factor holding back (prosulfocarb) herbicide. progress –– the wind. “Finer spray patterns have been one It’s an autumn scenario with which many way some operators have traditionally tried combinable crop growers will be familiar. to increase droplet numbers, but small Building on a successful stale seedbed droplets are inherently susceptible to drift, burn-off with a well-applied post-drilling affecting product efficacy and reducing pre-em spray is a core component of a weed control, ultimately hitting yields and successful grassweed control programme, increasing the risk of resistance problems,” especially for those with blackgrass issues. points out James Thomas, Syngenta But new nozzle technology can help to application specialist. counter the effect of breezy conditions, “Dedicated application trials we’ve With an expanding land area to cover, Steve May, and hence offer a wider spraying window conducted, looking at interacting finalist in the 2018 Farm Sprayer Operator of the and boost the chances of successful weed computations of boom height, forward Year competition, is keen to try new technologies. control results. speed, water volume and nozzle selection,
62 crop production magazine february 2019 On Farm Opinion
Last autumn, Steve May, BASIS and capacity, he notes, and in order to keep FACTS-qualified arable foreman for on top of a farmed area that has grown Fromant and Sanders, based at steadily in recent years, a spraying Kislingbury, west of Northampton, fitted a workrate of 70-100ha/day is necessary to set of low-drift nozzles to the 24m John keep up with the drill and ensure spray Deere 740 trailed sprayer he uses across timings are applied on time. the 640ha the partnership farms on its own “While the distance between our land and that of six contract customers. different blocks of land isn’t too great, we With all of that down to combinable crops, do have a lot of relatively small fields, with and a target to contain and reduce an average size of around 6ha. That blackgrass populations, he was keen to means folding booms in and out and try new nozzle technology to supplement travelling between fields can take up his other strategies for maximising considerable time, as can negotiating pre-emergence herbicide application in-field obstacles such as telegraph poles efficacy. and trees. “There’s also the fact that the land blocks are around 40-52ha each, and with Ideal timing Five-way nozzle bodies allow a quick changeover One of six finalists in the 2018 Farm our current sprayer being a 4000-litre between jobs. Sprayer Operator Of The Year competition, model it generally holds only enough liquid L the area he looks after has increased steadily in recent years as contract land has been taken on. In an effort to ensure all land is covered at the ideal timing, he’s focused for some time on a series of factors to help him ensure pre-em grassweed control is as successful as possible, and as part of this last year he fitted his sprayer with 05 low-drift nozzles. In conjunction with water rates of 200 l/ha and forward speeds of no more than 10-12km/h, this, he says, allows him to apply pre-em herbicide even when wind speeds are at 2-5m/s. “Where wind speed is ideal –– less than 2m/s – I use 05 3D nozzles at 12km/h with a 200 l/ha water rate,” says Steve, who makes use of a weather app and weather station to keep abreast of potential changes and help him plan his spraying programme and strategy accordingly. “But having five-way nozzle bodies means I can quickly select between nozzles. At any one time I usually have 05 3Ds and the low-drift ones for pre-em work, 025 Hypro nozzles for general tasks, 03 Defy nozzles and 03 Bubblejets. “If the wind rises to anywhere in the 2-5m/s range that can affect the efficacy of the 3D nozzles, I can quickly switch round to the low-drift nozzles, then reduce forward speed and pressure slightly to carry on achieving a good soil application with minimal drift risk, keeping the boom at 50cm above the ground. That all helps to ensure the pre-ems go on at the right timing and we get the best results from them. I’ve conducted my own application tests which have shown what a difference the right nozzles for the conditions make to accuracy.” Successful pre-em spraying is also about matching drilling and spraying On Farm Opinion
The land area Steve covers continues to “Small spray droplets are particularly expand, with another 52ha taken on for this susceptible to spray drift. That not only season. “I’m hoping we’ll upgrade to reduces the efficacy of the applied product, a 6000-litre machine when the existing but it also risks contamination of non-target sprayer comes due for renewal, and areas. Crop protection chemistry is already perhaps move from a 24m to a 36m boom under significant political and public and tramline system,” he notes. pressure, so minimising residue detection “But with our current land and machinery through controlling drift is key to protecting in mind, and the need to get round fields products in the future.” faster, I try to make the most of all available Steve aims to ensure that, rather than daylight. To this end I’ve fitted LED lights to rushing to get crop in the ground once the spray boom to enable me to easily spot drilling commences, it’s carefully planned issues such as blocked nozzles during out so that only the area that can be poor light when on early starts and late comfortably sprayed within the coming finishes. At only £120, they were one of the best investments I’ve made in accessories. Other small things also make a difference to speed of work, such as nozzle holders Steve has conducted his own application tests to on which to place spare nozzles so they check the efficacy of nozzles he uses and the can be quickly and easily located should coverage achieved. one need replacing.” The low-drift nozzles were an extension of these other measures, he explains, and L for 20ha (50ac) when applying pre-ems help to get the land covered, but they also at 200 l/ha water rates, meaning refills are have environmental benefits. “Pre-em necessary. Given that I’m the only full-time applications can be particularly prone to member of staff, running a bowser wouldn’t the risk of drift as not only is there no crop Fitting LED lights to his sprayer’s boom has been be easy, so a network of satellite tanks in to intercept the spray, but bare soils a low-cost way of improving nozzle visibility when strategic places is used to ensure refill time release stored heat, causing the air and spraying early or late in the day. is kept to a minimum.” spray to rise.
64 crop production magazine february 2019 On Farm Opinion weather window is drilled at any one time. He also ensures that pre-em herbicide, like any other product, is ordered and on farm well before it’s required. “The first stage in my grassweed control strategy is to aim for as many stale seedbeds as I can achieve between harvest and drilling, targeting strong weed flushes each time. If the weather and the soils are especially dry, though, I’ll hold off from stale or actual seedbed creation,” he states. “A dry seedbed is no good for either the crop or the weed control it requires, and if it’s too dry I’ll wait in either case. I’d rather hold off drilling altogether if conditions are too dry –– or too wet –– in the autumn, switch to a spring crop instead and save The best pre-em application practice involves a 50cm max boom height, a speed under 12km/h, the winter seed for a year. It’s always 200 l/ha water volume and 90% drift reduction nozzles. important tohave a back-up plan.” Drilling is held back as late as comfortably possible, he continues, bearing in mind area to cover, drilling capacity and the risk of the weather turning, the later it gets into the autumn. “It’s then a matter of judging the soil conditions and the weather forecast before getting the pre-em herbicide on at the right time. It needs to be applied as soon as possible after drilling, but only if the weather and soil conditions are right. “Providing the wind speed is within that 2-5m/s band, the selection of nozzles I have enable me to begin or to finish the job in conditions where the limitations of conventional nozzles would prevent me from getting underway or I’d have to stop spraying. During summer/autumn 2018, weather conditions were ideal for pre-em spraying, and given that harvest went so well bringing us two weeks ahead of schedule, we weren’t so pressured for time. But that could be very different another year, and anything that helps ease the spraying workload is welcome.” I
Farm facts
Fromant and Sanders, Kislingbury, Northampton G Cropped area: 640ha G Soil type: Clay loam G Staff: Steve May plus harvest casual G Cropping: Winter wheat, spring barley, winter oats, winter oilseed rape, winter beans G Tractors: John Deere 6215R, 6930, Case IH Puma 215 G Combine: 9m Claas Lexion 580+ G Sprayer: 24m trailed John Deere 740 G Drill: 4m Horsch Pronto DC
crop production magazine february 2019 65
Crop momentum“ is another way of saying attention to detail, but it’s more than that. ”
The drive to close Crop momentum YEN the yield gap The YEN results for 2018 any setbacks, but he doesn’t just throw sunlight the crop gets when it’s filling the reveal some jaw-dropping everything at it. He tries to understands its ear, it won’t produce any more grains.” yields. But every grower needs and supplies those in the correct Wheat is more flexible, especially in terms form, at the right dose and timing.” of the number of spikelets it sets. “So in could build crop momentum YEN, we’re extending that thinking to what and achieve maximum crop Guiding principles we can do for the crop throughout the Ever since YEN started in 2012, it’s been growing season, from beginning to end,” potential, says ADAS. CPM one of its guiding principles that the longer he continues. finds out how. you can keep a crop going the better. “It may come down to the size of each Research has shown that a wheat crop will leaf, for example –– any leaf’s growth will By Tom Allen-Stevens put on an extra 0.18t/ha per day that green leaf area index is above 2. This allows the plant to continue to capture the energy from Have you ever had a wheat crop for that brilliant June and July sunshine and turn which you think you’ve done everything, it into yield, providing it can get hold of the and then been disappointed when the water and nutrients it needs. combine’s gone through? Perhaps your And therein lies the rub –– crop oilseed rape, despite looking amazing all physiologists have a very accurate picture season, senesces suspiciously early. strong conviction in light capture and how Crop physiologists at ADAS have now that relates to yield. What’s confounded them coined a phrase for that nirvana when for decades is exactly how you influence everything comes together and the crop this activity. rewards you with the satisfaction of living for “Scientists explain this in terms of source longer and producing a truly marvellous and sink,” says Roger. “A plant makes yield –– crop momentum. assimilate –– the source –– and has to find “It’s an outcome of the Yield Enhancement somewhere to put it –– the sink. To optimise Network (YEN). Crop momentum is another yield you have to ensure the plant has both. way of saying attention to detail, but it’s more Barley for example tends to be sink-limited than that,” explains Prof Roger Sylvester- and sets its capacity early in the season Bradley, ADAS head of crop performance. because it produces just one grain per “Lincs grower Tim Lamyman, who spikelet. That’s why it’s important to feed the Tim Lamyman tries to understand a crop’s needs frequently achieves the top crops in YEN crop early so it tillers well and lays down and supplies those in the correct form, at the (see panel on p67) is the arch momentum plenty of spikelets. If you don’t, it doesn’t right dose and timing. exponent. Tim doesn’t want his crop to have matter how much nutrient, water and
66 crop production magazine february 2019 YEN
result. Roger is interested in whether this is largely why inputs such as micronutrients, amino acids and biostimulants, for example, often get a bad reputation for not achieving the level of response suggested by their manufacturers.
Entire approach “So the aim with crop momentum is to build an entire approach. There may be more value in developing a crop management system than in proving individual products, because factors such Roger Sylvester-Bradley encourages YEN entrants as site, soil type and variety may easily to think what they can do for the crop throughout influence which factors are limiting –– A wheat crop will put on an extra 0.18t/ha per the growing season, from beginning to end. whereas the best strategy may be simply day that green leaf area is prolonged. to keep avoiding limitations.” So how can you give your crop shown alongside the results from all the in part be determined by the size of its momentum? The first step is to monitor and other YEN farmers. This, along with the predecessor, how well it’s photosynthesising measure, says Roger, and that lies at the AHDB benchmark and critical value, allow and supplying the assimilate to make it heart of YEN. “Everyone who joins gets you to assess where exactly your crop may grow. You can imagine it as a snowball suggestions on what they should be be underperforming and whether you can effect that will come true if you give the plant monitoring, and when, from soil samples, do anything about it. everything it needs at every stage.” to ground cover to ear numbers, to the final Putting some rigour into this aspect is Identifying and quantifying these needs grain sample at harvest.” the aim of the YEN Yield-Testing project, are the main challenges in sustaining The samples and records sent in build the that started last year (see panel on p68). momentum though –– many trials that have data put into every YEN entrant’s report and “Some growers wanted to test the idea of looked at single treatments in isolation have bring you around 80 different criteria about generating momentum so we’ve introduced by and large failed to produce a conclusive your crop. For each metric, your value is crop momentum as one of the topics within L
Winners conquer the dry conditions
Most oilseed crops set a very high seed number and could have achieved even greater yields if they’d been able to fill the seeds for longer, says Sarah Kendall. average. “Yields in 2018 were surprisingly good, YEN is not just about achieving a top absolute given the drought. It’s clearly a year when yield, however. The site potential for every YEN rainfall and soil water storage made a difference. entrant is calculated, and awards given to those Despite the drought, growers who entered the Some farms are regularly producing exceptional who achieve closest to it. Here, another YEN YEN awards achieved cereal yields as high as yields, which offers the opportunity for the whole record was broken in 2018, with a crop of rye 16.2t/ha and oilseed rape crops of over 6t/ha. industry to learn from what they’re doing.” that achieved 103% of its site potential, testing Even the average yields indicate an impressive The best yields in the oilseed YEN were the theory behind YEN itself. result, at 10.3t/ha and 4.6t/ha respectively, from almost double the national average, she adds. “The rooting depth of this crop must have the record number of 2018 entrants. “From our analysis of this year’s yields, it exceeded anything that ADAS scientists thought This average yield was lower than in all five appears that most oilseed crops set a very high was possible –– they must have reached down previous YEN competitions, notes ADAS senior seed number and could have achieved even to 3-4m. It shows that YEN is something we can research scientist Dr Sarah Kendall, although greater yields if they’d been able to fill the all learn from, even the scientists ourselves,” almost all YEN yields exceeded the national seeds for longer.” comments Sarah.
crop production magazine february 2019 67 YEN
A tailored field brings in the yield
It’s not what you do but the way that you do it –– increased micronutrient use or particular that’s what gets results. This is the conclusion cultivation strategy achieved a higher yield. from an analysis of the YEN results, funded by Nor could it be traced to the level of AHDB, to determine what it is that successful purchased inputs applied, notes Daniel. “It’s not farmers do that achieves a high yield. what a farmer spends, but how they choose “Our analysis indicates that the farm effect is to spend it. YEN demonstrates the power of more important in determining yield than soil or farmer-centric knowledge generation and weather,” says ADAS crop physiologist Dr Daniel provides a model by which industry, scientists Kindred. “It seems that high yields are possible and farmers can come together to share ideas almost anywhere, but there are no silver bullets and data to improve understanding of their crops nor magic recipes that guarantee success. through robust analysis.” YEN demonstrates the power of farmer-centric Rather the implication is that those who design Other key findings of the study were knowledge generation, believes Daniel Kindred. the management of their crop for the individual G Husbandry factors that were positively farm system get the best results.” associated with yield included soil pH, narrow The crop yields from more than 250 farms row widths, slurry application, multiple G High yielding crops often had more ears than included in the YEN 2013-2018 cereal database PGR applications, nitrogen fertiliser and average, were taller and had a higher straw N were analysed to better understand which fungicide use. concentration. factors influence yield. The analysis threw G Factors associated negatively with yields G High yielding crops tend to be high risk crops up some surprises, for example it did not show included use of liquid N fertiliser (though not and therefore need good nutrition, disease that those with a higher soil organic matter, with sulphur in the mix) and use of cover crops. control and lodging control.
The first step to giving your crop momentum is to well above the national average, but Roger monitor and measure. believes there’s scope to take it further. “We’re now mining YEN’s expanding
L the on-farm trials. ‘No setbacks’ is the treasure-trove of data, so that all YEN philosophy that farmers in this group participants –– both farmers and sponsors will be following, and they’ll get support –– can gauge where they might best target throughout the year to help them achieve their efforts. There’s no reason why any this,” says Roger. farmer in the UK can’t match, or even YEN growers are already achieving yields beat, the high achievers in the YEN.” I
FIGs test the facts on yield enhancement
There are now around 50 farmers, agronomists, potash trials, only one farmer saw a conclusively researchers and industry participants taking positive result. But what’s been interesting is part in a study to test yield-enhancing ideas on the discussion around it. There was a lot of farm, with funding from EIP-agri. Since the start enthusiasm during the discussion at the FIG of the project in spring 2018, YEN entrants meeting at Harrogate, following the YEN awards, formed three Farmer Innovation Groups (FIGs) and it’s this exchange of ideas that sparks the focussing on: on-farm innovation.” 1. Value of amino acids These FIGs will continue into 2019, and new Farmer participants in FIGs designed and 2. Potash responses on heavy clays FIGs are being set up in 2019 to investigate performed tramline trials to test the effect of 3. Prolonging canopy life during grain filling three more topics: particular treatments on yield. Farmer participants in these groups all 1. Oilseed rape cross drilling – this aims to designed and performed tramline trials to test test the benefit of optimised plant spacing. Three “high attention to detail”. Crops will receive lots the effect of particular treatments on yield. farmers have drilled an area of their field in both of small applications of nutrients and other Growers gained an understanding of how their directions, with 50% of the seed rate in one inputs throughout the season. Growers are treatment performed on their own farm, and direction and 50% in the other. choosing their applications from an agreed benefited by comparing their results with 2. Deep Rooting – although development “Monthly Momentum Menu” such that crop other farmers. of deeper-rooted crops must be a long term growth is supported throughout the season. “ADAS helped in laying out the trials and strategy, this group has set up comparisons of “The discussion is already underway in the analysing the yield data, using our Agronõmics treatments such as use of organic manures Whatsapp groups the FIGs have started,” methodology which accounts for underlying that should encourage numbers and activity of comments Roger. To find out about joining a spatial variation in the field,” explains Roger. deep-burrowing worms. FIG (there are still spaces for 2019) go to the “In terms of results, it wasn’t a good year to 3. Crop Momentum – this group is testing the YEN website (www.yen.adas.co.uk) and select test amino acids nor crop longevity, and in the hypothesis that high yields are associated with YEN Yield Testing from the ‘About’ menu.
68 crop production magazine february 2019
Nematodes better measure of soil health
The precise “balance of the extremely diverse nematode communities is important.”
Crop momentum Soil health
Although earthworms are and agronomists to assess the biological “Equally, measures of soil respiration tell status of their soils alongside chemical you nothing about the balance between widely considered to be a and physical qualities, she has examined favourable organisms and damaging ones good indicator of soil health, a whole range of bio-indicators from or the diversity of their communities, which microbial biomass carbon and earthworm is likely to be crucial for the most resilient new research identifies ecotypes to springtail groups and soils. nematodesprovide a better nematode communities. “Earthworms can be a good indicator of soil structure and are important in nutrient insight. CPM finds out more. Biological tests cycling, but there are highly productive “Soil health improvement has risen soils that have very few worms. The By Rob Jones rapidly up the agenda for politicians as balance of earthworm ecotypes is and Lucy de la Pasture well as farmers,” she points out. “At the important and detectable numbers same time, a wide range of biological vary widely with soil conditions. L tests are being offered and promoted. Unfortunately, they all have limitations Simplistic measures of soil health can be as useful measures of soil health in extremely misleading, this is the clear agricultural systems. understanding emerging from the latest “For instance, different soil organic soil health research by Harper Adams matter (SOM) testing methodologies University and Agrii as part of the Horizon give very different results. SOM levels 2020-funded Agrocycle project led by change only very slowly and a favourable University College Dublin. balance within the organic matter is as Under the joint EU/China project, important for soil health and vitality as its designed to make the most of agri-food absolute level. wastes, post-graduate researcher Ana “While microbes tend to be the Natalio has been investigating the best dominant group of soil organisms in terms of biomass, they respond too rapidly and ways of monitoring changes in soil health Ana Natalio has found nematodes to be the best transiently to changes in management by measuring biological and physico- bio-indicator of soil health but measuring practices and environmental conditions, chemical parameters. populations is too expensive to be practical. In pursuit of a practical way for farmers limiting their practical use,” says Ana.
crop production magazine february 2019 69 Soil health
L “Springtail populations, which are also management changes.” really can’t compare measurements from good indicators of soil structure and Nematode analyses to the degree different soils under different rotations and respond more quickly to changes in that Ana has found to be essential as conditions. Instead, you need to establish management than earthworm populations, a useful measure of soil health require biological benchmarks for specific sites can vary very widely too, and are difficult considerable expertise and are very costly and monitor them in a consistent and and expensive to measure,” she explains. –– starting at around seven-times a carefully-structured way over time,” “Of all the bio-indicators we’ve standard soil test. Unfortunately, her she continues. assessed, nematode populations offer the research also shows that simple nematode Even though her research shows there’s greatest value in monitoring soil health. assessments designed to overcome these a meaningful way of measuring soil health They respond distinctively to organic limitations aren’t of much use. using biological parameters, it’s a way that enrichment, environmental disturbance “More than anything else, we’ve found isn’t currently practicable. So how can and in their sensitivity to pollutants. In our the precise balance of the extremely land managers reliably plan to improve work we’ve seen striking differences in diverse nematode communities is soil health? nematode communities in response to important. But even if you know this, you Senior agronomist, Andrew Richards of
Variable rate PGR boosts yield in uneven crops
Although it’s widely predicted each year at 450 or more, with small then there can be a negative applying variable-rate doses of 85% of fields at least 10% lodging. effect from the PGR to crop yield. crop protection products will The average cost of lodging is But work by ADAS has shown that become common practice in the estimated to be £77/ha, costing crops with a GAI of more than future, the technology isn’t quite the industry up to £120 million/yr. 0.8 will benefit from treatment.” there yet as far as fungicide “PGRs can be applied from early The problem for growers is when products are concerned. stem extension to the late green the crop canopy is variable across But for plant growth regulators bud stage of the crop. At the the field, meaning PGR application it’s a different story and applying a earlier timing the main effect is to may be needed in some parts and rate according to the size of crop mitigate lodging by shortening and not others, explains Simon. Soyl map showing how the canopy canopy is possible using the same thickening of the stem, as well as Understanding the reasons for varies within this field of OSR. measures of biomass that are used increasing branching. Later in the variability in OSR crops is key to to calculate nitrogen requirements. application window their effect is producing consistent yields and It’s a practice that growers are more on the architecture of the Paul believes the information effects, so a balance had to be beginning to adopt in oilseed rape, canopy,” he explains. generated from precision farming struck between disease protection says Simon Griffin, technical “By manipulating the canopy practices can be a great help, and PGR activity. manager for precision farming size and structure it’s possible to enabling layers of data to be “The availability of products specialists, Soyl. What’s more, improve light capture, enabling factored in to help grower and registered for use in OSR solely as tramline trials are showing a more UV light to reach the lower agronomist determine the best PGRs has opened up the potential positive yield benefit where variable canopy which leads to more even intervention. for variable rate application to the rate PGR has been applied. flowering and ripening of the crop,” “Variability in the crop can be crop and there’s increasing grower In OSR the benefits of reducing he explains. driven by soil factors, such as interest,” says Simon. lodging and influencing the While applying a PGR may changes in soil type which may “We started with a few growers canopy from using PGRs are well sound like a no-brainer, there’s an influence the crop’s establishment. conducting tramline trials in fields established, says Dr Paul Fogg, important relationship between the Parts of the crop can also be that showed canopy variation. PGR crop production technical lead at crop’s biomass and the PGR’s backward as a result of an earlier was applied according to the crops Frontier. “ADAS studies have shown potential effect on yield to consider, pest attack from slugs, cabbage GAI, so a higher rate of PGR was
31%) of the UK crop area lodges says Simon. “If the canopy is too stem flea beetle or pigeons,” applied where the crop was thicker a e
l he says. (GAI>2.0) and a reduced rate h o / Both Simon and Paul agree t applied to parts of the crop where z
Influence( of PGR on yield at different GAIs
a variable rate PGR technology is a the canopy was ideal or sub-optimal d n N=14 N=13 N=5 l 0.3 useful addition to variable rate (GAI of 0.8-2.0).”
o A B B e i c nitrogen application to help manage The trials were assessed using t y
0.2 e the crop canopy to achieve a more yield mapping on the combine and n i
m even, open canopy to increase compared with the standard farm
e 0.1
o light penetration while minimising g practice for PGR in OSR of using a t
n 0 disease pressure across the field. uniform rate across the field. “The e a u
h Before the relatively recent average yield for the standard flat
d -0.1 C introduction of Caryx (metconazole+ rate was 3.49t/ha, compared with mepiquat-chloride), Toprex an average yield of 3.65t/ha for -0.2 <0.8 0.8 to 2.0 >2.0 (difenoconazole+ paclobutrazol) and the variable rate application. This GAI at application in March Circle (trinexapac-ethyl), fungicides equated to a yield increase of Source: ADAS were used in OSR for their PGR 4.39% worth £40/ha,” says Simon.
70 crop production magazine february 2019 Soil health project partners, Agrii believes there’s a needs to be achieved and are flexible way round this apparent impasse. A way enough to be adapted to changing which involves applying a number of seasonal challenges.” well-understood soil health improvement Andrew insists that improving soil health approaches in carefully-planned and and resilience has to be a key priority for recorded strategies. many growers. If they are to achieve this “Research confirms that nematodes without simply adding extra cost to their and other soil fauna and flora are farming enterprise, he sees good science extremely sensitive to one soil parameter and down-to-earth thinking as essential. we can and do measure easily and regularly –– pH. Maintaining soil pH Perfect example between 6.5-7.5 is obviously essential in “At the moment, soil health testing is a any improvement plan and for its value perfect example of just how dangerous in ensuring the best-balanced nutrient a little knowledge can be. Our Agrocycle availability. project work with Harper Adams is “We know well-structured soils are vital providing a timely injection of scientific to soil health in arable regimes, as is reality into soil health measurement, the right –– which generally means less underlining just how biologically complex –– tillage, good crop rotations, less bare soil is and how many things about it soil over the winter and organic matter remain to be fully understood. Andrew Richards says efforts to improve soil addition. At the same time, we know “The bio-indicators currently available health need to be focussed on specific that all soils and farming systems are provide only a very partial idea of soil management plans involving things that can different,” he comments. health. What’s more, as with biological be measured. “Until we have the reliable soil activity in general, they fluctuate health benchmark data we need, our throughout the year and are very improvement efforts really need to be dependent on weather and environmental agricultural support payments linked to focussed on specific management plans conditions well outside the control of any them must be based on the application involving things we can actually measure,” farm management,” he adds. of ‘defined good practice’ and not on any he reasons. “Plans that reflect our “This makes it imperative that soil simple test, however attractive this may particular systems, are geared to what health improvement efforts and any future appear on the surface.” I
Nearly everything“ you can do to build biomass and give the crop the momentum it needs to deliver you a bumper yield is directly under your control.” Early nurture provides Crop momentum Take control momentum Now’s the time to take your us of the importance of getting the shoot a wheat plant puts out, it’ll add extra crop in hand and set it up to fundamentals right,” he says. roots, and that gives it the momentum and ensure it makes the most of The theory is that the only natural resilience to cope with dry conditions later in limitations are sunlight and rainfall. the year.” whatever the season brings. Everything else that determines your crop One critical factor outside your control is CPM finds out how early yield comes down to how you look after it. how much phosphate your soil supplies to YEN results suggest growers achieve on the crop, he cautions. “When the soil’s nutrient programmes can be average just over half their site yield cold and wet, plant roots can’t take up the refined to optimise growth. potential, so Mark advocates a commitment phosphate they need. It’s only once things to careful measuring and monitoring warm up in April and May that soil P is By Tom Allen-Stevens throughout the season, and to make sure released. But 70% of a crop’s overall the crop wants for nothing. requirement should be taken up in the eight-week period from the end of Feb –– With Brexit less than two months away, Building biomass if it can’t access that, this’ll limit its potential it may not feel at present as if you’ll be “Ultimately, we’re aiming for maximum to build biomass.” taking back much control of your arable grains/m2, and that’s related directly to The difficulty here is knowing whether that business –– uncertainty over trade number of shoots/m2 you set up and then agreements, labour and agriculture policy grains/ear. Early in the season, though, add to the more traditional vagaries of the building the foundations for later biomass weather and market fluctuations. growth is the number one objective –– Mark Tucker of Yara, however, prefers to YEN results have consistently shown this highlight the areas of your business that are –– and that work starts now.” under your control, and argues the cards are Nitrogen applications drive biomass, actually stacked in many growers’ favour. he points out. “Take a look at your crop “We’ve had a kind autumn, and many crops, –– those drilled later may be shy of a few even those drilled late where blackgrass is a tillers, and an early application will help problem, are looking fantastic,” he reports. increase a wheat plant’s sink capacity, “In terms of starting the spring on the which determines its ability to yield.” right footing, we’re in a good place. What’s Field conditions could be favourable for more, nearly everything you can do to build such applications this year, he adds, biomass and give the crop the momentum it although he has concerns: “Many soils are needs to deliver you a bumper yield is dry at depth, and there’s a worry we could directly under your control.” see a repeat of the 1975/76 growing season, In terms of starting the spring on the right Mark’s comments are built on Yara’s long when poorly rooted crops suffered footing, to build biomass into the crop, Mark association with the Yield Enhancement catastrophically. Tucker reckons growers are in a good place. Network (YEN). “YEN has really reminded “Again, early N is the key –– for every
72 crop production magazine february 2019 Take control
P is available. “Trials we’ve carried out show G Crops: Work out whether, and where on up to 40% of applied P can be locked up by your farm, crops are P deficient. There are the soil in the first 10 days after it’s spread, several ways of doing this –– some are especially in soils high in iron, aluminium or new, like using grain P analysis calcium. So even fertiliser applied before G Soils: Judge the size of your soil P Christmas may not be available to the crop. reserves across the farm. Decide how big Soil indices can also be misleading –– they you want them to be –– so whether you will indicate extractable P in the lab, which may aim to keep them at Index 1, 2 or 3 –– not equate with what’s immediately available and importantly, work out how they are to the crop in spring,” Mark notes. changing His comments chime with conclusions G Fertilisers: Use the most efficient form from around 10 years of AHDB-funded work of fresh phosphate to avoid deficiencies, into phosphate, carried out by ADAS, especially for crops growing in low P Bangor University, NIAB, Soyl, Frontier and zones, and use it annually. others. Professor Roger Sylvester-Bradley of ADAS has been pulling the results together: RB209 changes “Take control is very much in line with There will be changes to AHDB’s Nutrient what we’re concluding from the research,” Management Guide RB209, he confirms. he says. “Current guidance is very soil-focussed, and Roger Sylvester-Bradley suggests P management “We’re concluding that P management also rather general. For instance, it says that needs to embrace much more of a crop focus. needs to embrace much more of a crop soil P changes by 1mg/l if net phosphate focus.” He suggests three key target areas removal or addition in an arable rotation is Monitoring grain P as well as soil analysis for growers: “around 40kg/ha of P2O5”. Our research will bring you a much more precise suggests 20-30kg/ha is a more accurate understanding of how the phosphate is figure, but also shows that this can be behaving in your soils. “You can also use hugely variable between farms.” leaf analysis to find out how levels vary Roger explains that some farms can build within a season,” he adds. the soil P bank by 1mg/l with as little extra Roger suggests this as a more refined net phosphate as just 7kg/ha, but others strategy towards phosphate than the need up to ten times as much. “Growers broad-brush traditional method of aiming to who have mapped their soil P can use that keep soils at Index 2 –– indeed the years of data to work out how it behaves year on trials show that crops can often perform year. But before you get to know your soil, just as well at Index 1, although for some it’s important to get to know your crop.” rotations, such as those that include maize, To calculate offtake, RB209 assumes vegetables or roots, maintaining levels at grain P levels of around 8kg/t. “We’ve Index 3 works best. completed a review, including YEN data, And it’s not just about maximising crop which suggests this is actually closer to performance –– phosphate run-off is an 6kg/t, and again, we suspect that this varies increasing environmental concern, he from farm to farm. Our experiments have notes. “Regulation looms over the use of Crops drilled later may be shy of a few tillers, and shown that anything below 6kg/t (or 0.32% phosphate, and growers could find an early application will help increase their ability of dry grain) suggests a deficiency,” applications capped. Unless we can work to yield. he notes. out how to use fertilisers more efficiently, this L
Yield response to spring-applied P&K in winter wheat and oilseed rape
12.2 3.2 12.1 12.1 2.98 3 12
11.9 2.8
11.8 2.6 11.7 Yield t/ha Yield t/ha 11.6 11.6 2.4 2.31 11.5 2.2 11.4
11.3 2 Control (Extran) Actyva S followed by Extran Control (Extran) Actyva S followed by Extran
Source: Yara UK trials data, 2015 (wheat, left) and 2016 (OSR, right); Extran 33.5% N; ActyvaS 16% N, 15% P2O5, 15% K2O, 6.5% SO3.
crop production magazine february 2019 73 Take control
practice and relevant science to be shared leaf, typically at the T0 fungicide timing, is among growers to help get better value from a very efficient route.” He recommends their P applications.” Magphos K, which at 5 l/ha puts 2.2kg/ha of
But what about making adjustments this P2O5 on the crop as magnesium phosphate season? “There are lots of different fertiliser and also tops up potash levels. products and different ways of making fresh Those applying a solid form in the spring P applications, and they don’t all work the will typically look to put on around 35kg/ha
same way,” notes Roger. of P2O5. “Solid forms can be as little as 10% The most common form is orthophosphate, efficient, but you don’t lose the fertiliser –– Monitoring grain P as well as soil analysis will explains Mark. “Monoammonium phosphate it stays there in the soil and will be released bring you a much more precise understanding of (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP) and over time.” how the phosphate is behaving in your soils. triple super phosphate (TSP) are high in If you haven’t yet bought all your N orthophosphate. This is a readily available fertiliser, Mark recommends a compound
L could limit yields and take even more form for the plant, but it can be locked up NPKS application as soon as you can travel decisions out of their hands.” quickly by the soil.” in the spring. “ActyvaS will supply around He points towards the proposed ‘What 40kgN/ha to help kickstart spring growth. Works for Farming’ idea potentially providing Root exudates If the crop needs extra N, YaraMila 52 S a really enlightened approach for making P Dicalcium phosphate needs to be applied to (20.6:8.2:11.6 + 6.5%SO3) is a better option. management both more profitable and the soil and broken open by root exudates “Both products contain all three forms of sustainable. This is an industry-led plan to before it can be utilised by the wheat plant. phosphate in the right balance, and as they build an on-farm evidence base for better Polyphosphate must also be broken down in are uniform sized and compound, you get productivity and sustainability –– one with the soil, but requires just soil moisture to do an even spread with all the nutrients in growers firmly in control. so. “Ideally you want a mix of these forms in every prill.” “We are already using farmers’ trials in our the soil bank to give you a controlled release Mark believes it’s these early spring research, and these have been excellent at of P through the season.” applications that can make all the difference showing what really works in practice –– and Mark’s advice to those growers who have to how a crop puts on its biomass and sets it also what doesn’t. So, like the YEN, we could already applied some autumn P, or have up for the season. “Our trials overwhelmingly form a Phosphorous Efficiency Network their season’s N fertiliser requirements in show the benefits of spring-applied P in (PEN), administered by What Works. This the shed, is to consider a foliar treatment. particular, and it puts you back in control of could improve and promote on-farm P “Yara trials suggest good responses to the nutrients available to the crop. That way, monitoring, test products and practices for spring applications of either solid or foliar P if the rain and sunshine come right later in the P-use efficiency, while developing best (see chart on p73), but an application to the season, you’ll have a crop with momentum that’ll yield closer to its site potential.” I Right time to boron?
You may have thought we’ve is an essential nutrient for cell “Boron is a somewhat Take control learned everything there is to division, and plenty of that is forgotten nutrient in wheat know about boron, but recent taking place in the plant from crops –– results from our lab On March 29, 2019, Britain exits the EU. The Yara trials suggest there may the moment it wakes up in the analyses of leaf samples sent move will create unprecedented uncertainty be an advantage in an early spring, but it may struggle to in by growers for testing show and change for farmers. While much of the application. pull on the nutrients required. 80% are deficient. It’s needed change is beyond the control of the average “We routinely trial a range of An early foliar treatment gives it primarily for pollen fertility, but arable business, it highlights the importance micronutrient applications over easy access.” YaraVita Bortrac, we’re learning it may also of those elements that can be managed. a number of sites to refine for example, contains 150g/l of have a role in giving the Few aspects of crop production are more understanding of rates and boron, and just 0.5-1 l/ha with plant momentum through critical than a plant’s nutrition, which is why timings,” explains Mark. the T0 spray may be all that’s the season.” CPM has teamed up with Yara in a series of “On one site, we trialled needed, he suggests. articles that brings in some of the latest boron at an early timing, just to understanding to build on established confirm that the later timing, to Winter wheat yield response to a T1 application of boron knowledge. The aim is to take control of coincide with grain set, does 10.15 how a plant draws in and assimilates bring the best result. To our 10.10 nutrients to optimise every aspect of crop a 10.05 surprise, the early timing also h and field performance. /
t 10.00 brings a yield advantage. The With decades of evidence-based d site was on the borderline l 9.95 knowledge, Yara continues to be at the e i 9.90 forefront of crop macro and micronutrient
between sufficiency and Y 9.85 deficiency as well.” advice. Investment in technology has 9.80 He cautions this is just one resulted in world-leading 9.75 products that support year of trials, and further work 9.70 will take place this spring to Lsd = 0.4 Untreated 1 l/ha YaraVita Bortrac at GS 31 in-field decision making delve a little deeper, but there’s and precision nitrogen Source: Yara internal trials, 2018 logic behind the results. “Boron application.
74 crop production magazine february 2019
Science backs up The data suggest“ that growers are almost certain to biostimulant boost get a benefit.”
Crop momentum Pushing performance
CPM dives deeper into the he says, highlighting the 2018 season as a synthesized into sugars which the plant role of some of the key prime example. “This means crops will need uses as an energy source. to be more resilient to a wider range of “This process is highly dependent on the amino acids and organic N conditions than we’ve been used to.” amino acids L-glycine and L-glutamic acid. in plant health and crop One of the ways growers can help crops Both amino acids are key components for the survive environmental (abiotic) stresses production of chlorophyll, a pigment which development and finds out better is to supply them with Bridgeway, absorbs light energy for photosynthesis. the latest research, where which contains all the 18 L-amino acids Increasing the supply of these amino acids that plants need for healthy growth and increases light absorption, which increases abiotic stress is enforced on development, as well as readily available the rate of photosynthesis.” plants and the effect of organic nitrogen, recommends Stuart. It’s an effect Hutchinsons agronomist To understand how amino acids can help Robert Barker has observed in the field. Bridgeway quantified. alleviate abiotic stress in this way, Stuart “In spring cropping, I noticed an increase in explains the metabolic role of different amino green leaf area where we’d used Bridgeway By Lucy de la Pasture acids within the plant during its life. early. This then required careful management and repeat applications since the larger crop Abiotic stress canopy respired more, so needed more If there’s one thing that can be guaranteed “During periods of abiotic stress, plants applications to maintain the yield effect.” in the life of a crop, it’s that it will increase production of L-proline, primarily Certain amino acids help increase the experience stress at some point caused by to help strengthen cell walls and their availability of nutrients to plants, continues environmental factors or from attack by resistance to weather extremes. This Stuart. “Some nutrients aren’t available to pests and diseases. The effect on the reduces the effect of the stress and speeds plants due to their molecular structure, ionic productivity very much depends on the up the plant’s recovery time,” he explains. charge etc. The amino acids L-glycine and L degrees of stress and the crop’s ability It’s an effect that was clearly seen in to withstand it. Malcolm Gemmill’s wheat at Dunmow in Building resilience into cropping systems Essex last season. “We tried Bridgeway at is becoming increasingly important as a 1.0 l/ha at T1 on some second wheat KWS changing global climate leads to more Zyatt. The crop came under severe drought severe frequent weather extremes, says pressure later in the season, and although Stuart Sutherland, technical manager at we didn’t see any visual differences in Interagro. season from applying the Bridgeway, we “The Met Office published a Climate did see a 0.54t/ha uplift in yield. Predictions Report in Dec 2018 and its “With a ROI of over £80/ha, the Bridgeway findings are in-line with earlier projections more than paid for itself and there may be a that the UK can expect an increased chance place for it in stress situations where it can of warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier help turn crops around,” he comments. summers, along with an increase in the Amino acids play crucial roles in other frequency and intensity of extremes moving metabolic processes, one of these being Stuart Sutherland says we’re already forward. photosynthesis –– the most important experiencing more climate extremes so “We’re already experiencing the demands chemical process in plants where carbon crops need to be more resilient. these climate extremes place on crops,” dioxide, water and light energy are
crop production magazine february 2019 75 Pushing performance
Results of the non-stressed tests
Bridgeway 1.0 l/ha Bridgeway 2.0 l/ha Winter wheat roots +34% +42% Winter wheat shoots +16% +20% Spring barley roots +33% +41% Spring barley shoots +10% +15% All results are statistically significant at 95% confidence intervals. Source: University of Nottingham, 2018.
Wheat stress experiment Steve Rossall describes Bridgeway as one of the better products on the market. Roots Shoots
L Nutrient stress +29% +27% L-glutamic acid are able to bond with Water stress +48% +24% these nutrients, making them available to the High temperature stress +49% +24% plant. These amino acids are tiny molecules All results are statistically significant at 95% confidence intervals. which allows them to easily move through cell membranes. Source: University of Nottingham, 2018 “Their ability to bind excess metals means they’re also able to reduce metal toxicity in maximise nutrient use within the plant and potential going forward.” plants,” he adds. support the crop’s high yield potential. Robert adds it’s important to remember Frontier agronomist Steven Penrice “We used 1.5 l/ha at early stem extension Bridgeway isn’t a micronutrient. “Any recommended applying Bridgeway last year and again at green bud, with no visible signs deficiencies should be addressed to a crop of winter oilseed rape with high seen in the crop thereafter. On harvest throughout the season and these are yield potential in Scotland. “We wanted to though, it was clear that the untreated separate to a Bridgeway programme.” release some of the stress the crop was tramlines were significantly lower yielding One of the fascinating roles of amino under in the spring from the dry conditions, by up to 0.25t/ha. I look forward to seeing acids in plants is as precursors to hormones but we also wanted to use Bridgeway to other ways Bridgeway can maximise yield and growth factors, explains Stuart. Pushing performance
“L-tryptophan is involved in rooting and is which add up to lower biomass and yields, needs, it also offers a valuable N top-up,” required in auxin synthesis for growth and comments Stuart. he says. development. L-methionine is a precursor “To support growth and development, Neil Cairns, farm manager and to ethylene which stimulates ripening and sufficient N needs to be taken up and agronomist at Barfoots has integrated L-arginine is a precursor to cytokinin allocated to source and sink organs in the Bridgeway into their organic strategy on production, which is a hormone involved in plant. Plants acquire N from nitrate and tender stem broccoli. “We applied the cell growth, auxiliary bud growth and leaf ammonium fertilisers, or it can be sourced Bridgeway at three weeks and eight weeks senescence. from feeding the crop amino acids –– as in post-planting, and again two weeks before “Pollination and fruit formation are some Bridgeway. Feeding the crop Bridgeway at harvest, each at a dose of 3.0 l/ha, with very of the most important phases of crop the critical stages of crop development not pleasing results. Our crops look healthier development and are extremely energy only provides the key amino acids the crop with more green leaf area and we’re seeing L intensive due to the very high levels of amino acids required.” He highlights important amino acids at How to use Bridgeway to best effect these growth stages are L-histidine, which helps with ripening; L-proline, which increases Stuart recommends applying Bridgeway at trialled an amino acid product and seen pollen fertility; L-lysine, L-methionine and 2.0 l/ha early in crop establishment (GS14 in information from Southern Europe where they’ve L-glutamic acid, which all increase wheat and barley) and follow up at the key helped build or maintain yield under such germination; and L-alanine, L-valine, and stages of crop development when demand for conditions. My experience is they must be L-leucine, which improve fruit/grain quality. amino acids is greatest to optimise plant health applied before the crop is stressed, having used Bridgeway also contains organic nitrogen, throughout the life of the crop. Bridgeway in 2017 on a sand land crop under the most important nutrient for plant “If crop stress is anticipated and Bridgeway serious stress, it had no observable yield effect. development. “It’s a major constituent of hasn’t been applied within three weeks of that He intends to watch the weather closely in essential compounds such as chlorophyll, time, we would recommend applying Bridgeway, 2019. “If conditions look like they’ll stress the nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) and ideally ahead of the stress event or during if crop, then I would apply 1.0-2.0 l/ha Bridgeway amino acids.” necessary,” he advises. to bridge the gap to better conditions. But be The consequences of limited nitrogen Robert Barker used Bridgeway last season prepared to maintain the programme if supply are all too well known to growers, due to the high levels of stress exerted on the conditions dictate this,” he adds. and result in reduced leaf area, chlorophyll crop from hot, dry weather. “I had previously (yellowing of crop) and photosynthetic rate Pushing performance
under specific abiotic stresses? Dr Steve “My three-spray programme in a Rossall, University of Nottingham, is the non-replicated split field trial, yielded 14t/ha man charged with finding out. treated compared with the farm standard of He designed tests to look at the effect of 12.5t/ha. So even on a high yielding site the Bridgeway on early root and shoot growth in benefit was seen.” winter wheat (KWS Siskin) and spring barley Stuart describes the results of Steve’s (Concerto). Plants were treated with two stress tests as ‘extremely exciting’. “The rates of Bridgeway, 1.0 l/ha and 2.0 l/ha, fact Bridgeway can increase early root at GS14 and the effects on root and shoot growth in wheat and barley significantly, growth were determined 24 days after and by as much 40%, could be of huge Bridgeway gave very positive and statistically application. benefit to crops during early crop significant effects on plant growth, with larger establishment. Crops typically experience effects consistently observed with root growth Stress testing some sort of stress early on, particularly (+33%). Image is barley. Steve imposed low nutrient stress, achieved in the spring when soils can be dry and by feeding with a 10% rate of the standard nutrients are locked up. feed; water stress, by irrigation with the “The benefits of Bridgeway were even standard feed every fourth day rather than more dramatic when the crop was under daily or when the plants started to show nutrient, heat and water stress –– all factors drought symptoms; and heat stress, where typically experienced by crops. Bridgeway’s plants were under standard feed and ability to improve rooting by almost 50%, irrigation at a constant 300C. compared to the untreated controls, could “Bridgeway gave very positive and really help crops cope better in the field. statistically significant effects on plant “Building structure and root biomass early growth, with larger effects consistently in the life of the crop will help the crop to be observed with root growth,” he comments. more resilient to environmental stresses. “Similar effects were seen with shoot growth, Topping up with Bridgeway later in the but the effects weren’t so big suggesting the season will help to ensure the early benefits driving parameter is enhanced rooting. are captured in yield later on,” he adds. I Bridgeway increased root growth by 49% and “Spring barley appeared to be more shoot growth by 24% in high temperature stress responsive than winter wheat to shoot tests on wheat. growth, perhaps reflecting its faster growth,” Pushing performance suggests Steve. With wheat, there was an indication that At the heart of good crop production lies the enhanced root growth was greater when careful use of chemistry to protect the plant the plants were stressed, especially for water and maintain performance, right through the and high-temperature stress, yet the season. But optimising the efficacy of plant improvements were still very beneficial and protection products can be challenging, while statistically significant in non-stressed wheat. increasingly restrictive regulations limit just Steve has put numerous biostimulants how far you can go. through their paces over the years using the This series of articles explores the science same protocol and describes Bridgeway as behind the use of adjuvant and biostimulant ‘one of the better ones’ and ‘a benchmark tools to help power both chemistry and product’. crop performance, as well as increase “Even though the Bridgeway was applied Bridgeway increased root growth by 48% and understanding of why they’re needed and in an ‘idealised’ way in these tests, the data shoot growth by 24% in water stress tests on what they do. We’re setting out to empower suggest that growers are almost certain to wheat. growers and drive crops to reach their full get a benefit every year and will see a real potential. L benefit in stress years, particularly where a higher quality of crop at harvest.” CPM would like to thank Interagro for plants are short of water in the establishment During reproductive growth, flowers and kindly sponsoring this article, and for providing phase. seeds represent the major N-sink. “Transport privileged access to staff and material used “There’s still more research to do but of N to newly developing flowers is a to help put the article together. I believe the best returns will be from using significant determinant for flower set, Bridgeway is a plant-based biostimulant Bridgeway in a programmed approach, growth and abortion and it’s essential for containing all 18 amino acids essential for integrated with existing agronomic proper development of male and female plant health. Developed to food grade practices,” he adds. gametophytes. Since the application of standards, Bridgeway is proven to reduce Robert aimed to do just this last season. nitrogen fertilisers to crops is limited, the crop stress and release the yield and quality “In cereals, I planned to use 2.0 l/ha at T2 additional boost from Bridgeway will be potential of a vast array of crops. particularly useful, especially if the crop and T3, but I had to top this up at flowering is deficient.” with a further 1.0 l/ha because conditions So the theory behind supplementing remained hot and dry. This season I believe crops with amino acids seems to stack up, the yield response was from maintaining the but how beneficial is Bridgeway to plants later applications,” he comments.
78 crop production magazine february 2019
Natural resource provides green chemistry This is the“ perfect moment for the adoption of greener technologies.”
Crop momentum Marine algae
Emerging from the muddy can be used to advantage in farm animals, possible to produce antibiotic-free poultry waters which have long crops and humans to help reduce the use of and pigs and this is served in its Bréhan fertilisers, pesticides, antibiotics and food restaurant, set up to showcase the many surrounded the fields of additives. culinary possibilities of algae. specialist nutrition and “If we want to sustainably feed the planet, Proof of the group’s R&D credentials lies we need to produce more and do so more in the human field where it has already biostimulants is a new efficiently, using less resources. Utilising identified three new molecules which have generation of products marine algae as the essential element in a potential as medicines. One of these is for wholesome and healthy food chain is one of use in colon cancer and is in third stage underpinned by credible the ways to meet this challenge,” he says. clinical trials. Two further molecules have science. CPM visits been found to have antidepressant effects Marine biotechnology and are also being evaluated in trials. Brittany to find out more. Since its inception in 1995, Olmix has Crop production is the newest field to become a leading specialist in marine Olmix. The Plant Care division was set up in
By Lucy de la Pasture biotechnology and green chemistry, with 2006 but work into exploring the potential of L 10M being poured into R&D each year €(6% of turnover). “Innovation is the driving Fast forward a generation and current force behind our development and agronomy practices will likely be known algae still have so much to teach us,” as the chemical era, a time when high comments Hervé. yields relied largely on inputs of synthetic To accelerate innovation the seaweed pesticides and nutritional products, specialist has developed close collaborative believes French farmer’s son, Hervé ties with renowned research institutes such Balusson. as the biological station of CNRS (French Hervé’s vision is for a ‘global and circular National Scientific Research Centre) in approach’ to agriculture using a natural Roscoff, which is the world reference for the resource that washes onto the beaches of study of algae. It also has associations with his birthplace, Brittany. The founder and INRA (French Institute for Agricultural CEO of the Olmix Group, he believes that Research) and many other universities. agricultural practices should benefit human The Olmix Group doesn’t just talk the talk, Hervé Balusson’s vision was simply to make use nutrition as well as animal and crop it walks the walk, demonstrating through its of a free natural resource that washes onto the production. With this in mind, Olmix has own farms and restaurants what can be beaches of Brittany and utilise it to replace applied science to discover the specific achieved from farm to fork. It’s an important synthetic chemistry throughout the food chain. properties of marine algae and how these part of the Olmix philosophy to show it’s
crop production magazine february 2019 79 Marine algae
“We’re not just another seaweed dealer,” Olmix has a scientific understanding of what he stresses. “We’ve produced a range of the molecules are actually doing at the biosolutions that have a positive influence on genomic level,” says Chris Gamble, sales all the physiological factors that impact yield manager for UK specialist crop nutrition potential.” company Micromix, which has recently Olmix are unique in their speciality, he joined the Olmix Group of companies. points out, having complete control of every “There’s no muck and mystery in this step of the production process from sourcing process which employs state of the art lab to quality control of the end-products. “The equipment and an understanding of how the quality of liquid algal extracts remains very algae extracts interact with complex plant dependent on the freshness of the raw biochemistry,” he explains. material, so extraction must be performed “The seaweed extracts we’re more familiar Seaweed needs to be processed quickly once very quickly after harvest.” with in the UK are produced from brown harvested to ensure its extracts are of high The fractionated seaweed extract algae. Olmix research has identified red and quality. is analysed so products contain the green seaweed species have a much constituents needed to have the required greater biostimulant and elicitor effect on
L algae only began in 2012 when a major biological effect at the time of application. plants and it’s these that they harvest from R&D programme was launched, explains “A lot of seaweed is being simply the coastline of Brittany,” he explains. Didier Blin, product manager for Plant Care. processed and sold as a plant booster, but Another distinction of the Olmix product
Reducing pesticide use in practice
France is a country with a green government includes winter wheat, winter barley, winter and consumers who want food that’s free oilseed rape, flax, clover for seed, corn and from pesticide residues, explains Florian Tilly, potatoes. Cover crops are a requirement in his technical manager at Olmix. This is demonstrated region where land would otherwise be bare over by the availability of smartphone apps that allow the winter and his preferred mix is phacelia, consumers to scan produce and wine labels to white mustard and black radish. get information on whether they’re rated as Seven years ago, Fabien took over the ‘good’ or ‘bad’ where pesticide residues are management of the farm from his father. He concerned. immediately replaced the plough with a system It’s a trend that Breton grower Fabien Bocher of min-till cultivation because the sandy clay fully appreciates, so he’s been putting measures loam soil had become difficult to work. He in place across his 68ha farm in Saint-Connec switched from inorganic to organic fertiliser, to meet consumer demands. His aim is to applying 4t/ha of chicken muck together with France is a country with a green government reduce his usage of pesticides and inorganic a bioactivator product from Olmix, Geo2, which and consumers who want food that’s free from fertilisers on all of his crops, leaving him ready works to help improve the soil structure and the pesticide residues, explains Florian Tilly. to take advantage of the higher prices he ability of crop roots to explore the soil. believes the market will eventually offer for “Geo2 helps the transformation of organic by using a combination of good varietal food produced in this way. residues to humus production and it doesn’t disease resistance, sowing density and the Fabien grows a wide range of crops which need to be incorporated,” explains Didier. Agromel range of products at GS31, GS32 Fabien says it was a logical step to use this and GS37-39. type of biological activator in his situation. “The biostimulant produces a stronger plant “I trialled different amounts of Geo2 in one field that’s more able to resist disease. I inspect using a range of rates from 150-900kg/ha crops frequently, monitor forecasts and then (standard rate is 250-300kg/ha). At the higher I only apply a fungicide when disease pressure rate, changes in soil structure were visible after requires it,” he explains. a year but at the standard rate it was 2-3 years He takes a similar approach to his 3ha of before I noticed more earthworms, a better potatoes which he markets direct to the structure and soil that was easier to work,” consumer, where he’s able to promote his he explains. technical choices in his marketing. He uses three His introduction to the Agroptim range of different seaweed products on his potatoes, biostimulants was due to a mishap. He’d applied which he applies in a programme every 8 days a herbicide with a PGR to a crop of barley and in an ultra-low water volume of 70-80 l/ha. shocked it badly so turned to Agroptim to help “If blight pressure is high then I’ll apply a Fabien Bocher takes a programmed approach the browned-off crop get over the shock. He now fungicide but if it’s low and blight isn’t forecast, to applying seaweed products, applying them routinely adds 0.5-1.0 l/ha of the biostimulant then I just apply the seaweed.” He estimates with herbicides to reduce stress and fungicides to every herbicide he applies. he’s reduced his fungicide application by to boost plant health. When it comes to fungicide use, Fabien has 40-50% this season, where disease pressure found that he’s been able to alter his approach was admittedly low.
80 crop production magazine february 2019 Marine algae range is that they’ve been developed to “We’ve found seaweed extract applied to enhance the entire crop growth cycle, the crop has a biostimulant effect; improving explains Bruno Daridon, Olmix R&D nutrient-use efficiency and ability of the plant manager. “The integrated approach starts to withstand abiotic stresses (such with soil conditioners, biological activators as drought and pesticide application), and organic soil improvers to enhance modifying its redox status and enabling soil quality and resilience, increasing its continued development of yield microbial biomass and porosity while components. In trials, crops at harvest reducing erosion and fuel consumption. consistently contain a higher level of nutrients,” he says. R&D has also identified a synergistic effect when seaweed extract and nutrients are applied in combination. The specialist knowledge in formulation and uptake developed at Micromix will help refine a range of seaweed plus nutrient products in the UK, believes Chris. Didier Blin believes that even five years ago, Already a paradigm shift in farming is agriculture wasn’t ready for such a change in underway and there’s a growing interest in thinking and the adoption of new greener helping the crop to help itself. The potential technologies. The fractionated seaweed extract is analysed of seaweed extract to deal with biotic stress so products contain the constituents needed to (pests and diseases) is an area Olmix is even five years ago, agriculture wasn’t ready have the required biological effect at the time intensifying its R&D activity, working with for such a change in thinking, but in his of application. external partners with the aim of gaining honest opinion, “this is the perfect moment biocontrol registrations. Didier believes that for the adoption of greener technologies.” I
Marine algae offer many benefits
finished their lifecycle, the holdfast detaches terrestrial plants, triggering the plant’s defence from the rocks and seaweed washes up mechanisms. By mimicking a pathogen attack on to the beaches where it is harvested,” in this way, the crop’s ability to resist explains Maria. pathogens can be improved in the short term, The cold pocket of water enveloping the reducing reliance on fungicides. Breton coastline, along with its high tidal range Since plants don’t develop immunity, (average of 10m), particularly suits red and repeated applications are needed to maintain green seaweeds –– with 75-85,000t harvested any improved resistance to biotic stress, annually in the region. adds Maria. “The tough environment the seaweed grows Seaweed contains marine-sulfated polysaccharides in gives the Brittany seaweed its natural strength and these have rare sugars and have a unique and capacity to respond to external abiotic and Components of marine algae structure that gives the marine algae their special biotic stresses,” she comments. Carbohydrates (20-70% of dry weight) biological properties. The algae contain different molecules that G polyanionic and sulphated have both a nutritional and biological effect polysaccharides: alginates and fucoidans The red and green algae used by Olmix are on plants.“They contain a complete cocktail of (brown algae), carrageenans and agars very different to the brown algae, which in organic and minerals elements –– proteins, (red algae); ulvans (green algae); evolutionary terms are much younger, explains vitamins and minerals –– which are of nutritional insolublecarbohydrates Dr Maria Matard-Mann, research projects benefit. But marine algae also contain plant Proteins (1-35% of dry weight) manager at Olmix. “Green and red algae are hormones, polyphenols and marine-sulphated Minerals (10-30% of dry weight): genetically as different to brown algae as polysaccharides, which have a biostimulant G potassium, calcium, phosphorous, animals are to fungi,” she explains. effect on crops,” she explains. magnesium, sulphur, iron, chlorine, Algae are among the fastest growing plants And it’s the properties of its marine-sulphated manganese, iodine, copper, zinc, in nature, with growth rates of up to 30% per polysaccharides that are of particular interest –– molybdenum, silicon day. “This natural resource is Nature’s second carrageenan in red marine algae and ulvans in Lipids (0.5-4% of dry weight) lung and plays a role as important as the green marine algae. These contain rare sugars Pigments: rainforests, processing carbon dioxide and and have a unique structure that give the marine G phycobiliproteins (red algae), carotenoids producing half of the Earth’s oxygen.” algae their special biological properties, including Vitamins: What’s more, the utilization of red and green working as an elicitor (boosting the plant’s G A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D3, E, K seaweed is sustainable, with no deep water natural defences). Secondary metabolites: harvesting necessary. “Red and green seaweed These unique but harmless marine molecules G polyphenols, phlorotannins, steroids attach to the rocky coastline. When they have are seen as a threat when applied to
crop production magazine february 2019 81
Aggressive strains on the rise We need to“ keep 36_A2 under consideration as it’s clearly more aggressive.”
Roots Potato agronomy
Something interesting is of samples means the results may have 2017 and has risen from 2% to 18% of the going on in the blight some sampling effects,” he explains. population and the fluazinam insensitive Just 33 FAB scouts collected samples 37_A2 showed a small fall from 24% in population in Europe and from the 40 blight outbreaks recorded, 2017 to 19% in 2018, though David these same lineages have generating 266 samples, of which 185 cautions there may be some sampling were genotyped at JHI. effects due to the relatively low numbers now become established in of samples received. the UK. CPM finds out the Cold start Regionally there were differences in “The lower trickle of samples compared blight populations, with the South West,
latest on the UK situation to a more average season was a result Wales and Scotland predominantly 6_A1 L and reports the launch of the cold start to the year and a late planting season. There were early signs of of a new nematicide. blight in April from primary inoculum on outgrade piles in Kent but the hot, dry By Lucy de la Pasture weather that followed put an end to outbreaks. Where there was localised rainfall in Sept and Oct, blight was a 2018 was an usual season and, by and problem in some circumstances and large, late blight (Phytophthora infestans) outbreaks were more active than wasn’t a great problem. Even so, expected.” monitoring has revealed more changes The results of David’s genotyping show in the blight population, says Dr David the ebb and flow of clones in the blight Cooke of James Hutton Institute, as he population. “13_A2 (blue 13) has declined gave an update at AHDB’s Agronomist to 6%, which is lowest it’s been for many conference in Dec. years. 6_A1 (pink 6) continues to dominate “There was generally low blight pressure and was found to be present in 46% of the which was reflected in the much lower population, but the headlines were taken David Cooke explains 36_A2 isolates are very number of active Fight Against Blight (FAB) by the new lineages, 37_A2 (dark green aggressive, forming amongst the largest mean scouts and reported outbreaks than in 37) and 36_A2 (light pink 36),” he explains. lesions and having abundant sporangia. recent years. The relatively small number 36_A2 was first detected in the UK in
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Potato agronomy
and 37_A2 are increasing fast, indicating Active ingredients used in AHDB fungicide sensitivity testing they may be more aggressive. Samples Fungicide Group (FRAC Code) Active Ingredient from lineages collected across Europe Benzamides (43) fluopicolide have been tested by Roselyne Corbieres and Didier Andrivon at INRA (France) for CAA (40) mandipropamid their relative aggressiveness. Carbamates (28) propamocarb hydrochloride “On average, 36_A2 isolates were found Qil (21) cyazofamid to form amongst the largest mean lesions Uncouplers of oxidative fluazinam and have abundant sporangia, similar to 6_A1 in aggressiveness, which supports phosphorylation (29) the evidence from outbreak sampling. Source: James Hutton Institute. The small differences in lesion size and sporangia seen in the lab make a big
L and small amounts of 6_A1 and 1_A1 in found from Shrops to Lancs and 36_A2 difference in the field as late blight is a Kent. The two new lineages showed no confined to Kent and The Wash. polycyclic disease,” explains David. significant expansions in range, with 37_A2 In parts of Europe, populations of 36_A2 So what’s driving the change in blight L The Dutch experience
In Holland standard practice is to begin blight spraying at emergence and continue through the season, says Geert Kessel of Wageningen University and Research. Problems with tuber blight control at the end of the season is precipitating a change to blight control in the Netherlands, he explains. “There’s a move away from a weekly blight spraying programme to one underpinned by decision support systems (DSS) that determine the frequency of sprays and the mode of action required to provide the appropriate activity –– protective, curative or eradicant.” The decision support system being developed at Wageningen takes into account fungicide Traditionally blight programmes have been degradation of previous sprays and crop growth. blocked, with a single mode of action being applied 4-6 times in sequence before changing to another MoA. Typically, a block treatment will start “Phytophthora infestans is a highly dynamic degradation of previous sprays and crop growth. with a systemic fungicide such as Revus pathogen, which is the root of the problem. It’s This can mean very short spray intervals are (mandipropamid), then progress to a block of changing all the time and as soon as we know sometimes triggered,” he explains. Infinito (fluopicolide+ propamocarb) and then how to control it, it changes again and gets out He points out only a few fungicides have move to Ranman (cyazofamid) at the end of the of control.” curative properties, highlighting propamocarb and season for tuber protection, describes Geert. Using DSS isn’t without its problems and there cymoxanil. To obtain eradicant activity on blight “This system is under much discussion and are two key issues Geert highlights. “Fungicide means a combination of at least two fungicides is likely to change to a shorter alternation, so timing ideally needs to be before any predicted is needed to obtain the very strong curative and products from different groups are used more infection events for the best control of blight. It antisporulant properties needed. frequently within the programme,” he says. also needs to take into account the fungicide
84 crop production magazine february 2019
Potato agronomy
L population? Aggressiveness is one factor, FRAC groups; fluazinam, cyazofamid, says David, but fungicide sensitivity can propamocarb, mandipropamid and also play a part, as has been seen with fluopicolide. 33_A2 and 37_A2 to fluazinam. AHDB 37_A2 was discovered to be insensitive has commissioned research to look at to fluazinam in 2017 and the testing fungicide sensitivity (protectant tests) in confirmed this, with blight lesions forming lab assays, conducted according to FRAC at the maximum field rate of fluazinam. protocols and concentrations. 13_A2 and 6_A1 were all sensitive to “It’s important to note that the range of fluazinam but at the very lowest rates tested are well below field rates in concentration tested, 36_A2 formed order to obtain a dose response curve some lesions. and EC50 values for the active ingredients This ability to produce the largest tested,” highlights David. lesions at the low concentrations was a Aggressiveness is one factor but fungicide The research conducted by Alison Lees trend only 36_A2 showed to all the other sensitivity can also play a part. at JHI tested key actives from different active ingredients tested. L
Liquid nematicide offers new approach to PCN control
A liquid nematicide that claims performance difficult to justify the expense or inconvenience of approaching that of full-rate granular alternatives, tackling PCN populations. but at a fraction of the application rate and half “There’s a range of prices of granular the cost has been launched by Bayer. Containing nematicides, but Velum Prime is likely to be the SDHI fluopyram, Velum Prime is set to change around half the cost of granules,” says Neil. the way growers approach potato cyst nematode Significant volumes of the product will be available control. in year one. Speaking at the product launch, Neil While Velum Prime will be appealing on its own Thompson, Bayer channel marketing manager in lower PCN-pressure situations, its contribution for root crops, says, “Velum Prime heralds a new to protecting yields when used in combination with era in nematode control that will extend crop conventional nematicides will also be of interest to protection to all growers, including those for which growers, he believes. in-crop PCN management was not previously “In 10 trials, the use of Velum plus half-rate possible, such as those with short-season Vydate (oxamyl) gave an increase of 3.0t/ha over salad crops.” the full rate (55kg/ha) Vydate-only treatment, while Initial approval for the product, which has an a similar treatment of Velum with half-rate Peter Blaylock believes growers need to consider application rate of just 0.625 l/ha (250g a.i./ha), Nemathorin (fosthiazate) gave an average yield Velum as part of an ICM approach to manage PCN. is for in-furrow application only, but Bayer is increase of 0.8t/ha over the full rate (30kg/ha) hopeful of receiving approval for an overall spray Nemathorin-only treatment,” says Mr Thompson. growers will need to consider the practicalities of using a conventional boom sprayer in the future. “Across more than 30 trials, Velum delivered application if they’re to ensure suitable product Probably of greatest interest to growers is its an average yield increase of 3.3t/ha and a placement. competitive cost relative to other nematicides, reduction in PCN eggs of 25%, measured using “It’s relatively immobile once in the soil profile, which when combined with its ease of use and Pf (final egg numbers)/Pi (initial eggs at planting) so care will need to be given to nozzle positioning lack of a harvest interval, is hoped will extend its counts” if the active is to be delivered to the soil around appeal to situations where previously it had been The introduction of Velum Prime has been the root zone. Those growing in beds rather than welcomed by Peter Blaylock, company agronomist rows, as is the case with salad crops, will want to for independent processor, E Park & Sons, who’s adjust rates to reflect the use of an additional clear in what he sees as the new products nozzle,” he adds. benefits. While another means of PCN control will be “The need to take a more determined approach welcomed by growers, Bayer has been careful to PCN control, that considers every crop and PCN not to suggest it’s a silver bullet. The company’s situation, is long overdue,” he says. message is to consider Velum Prime as part of a “Velum Prime delivers good control and is free programme of measures, including the use of of the stewardship restrictions or waste disposal resistant varieties, granular nematicides and issues associated with granular products that do rotation. so much to inconvenience growers. To overlook “Velum is by no means the complete answer its potential to improve and extend the protection to the problem posed by nematodes, but it will we seek to give crops would be extremely be part of the solution. “It’ll be for growers and New nematicide Velum Prime is likely to be short-sighted and run contrary to ICM principles, agronomists to determine how best to use it around half the cost of granules, says Neil especially where varietal choice exacerbates the in their particular situations to contribute to Thompson. PCN problems in the UK,” he comments. protecting quality and improving yield of their Although not a barrier to its use, Peter believes crops,” concludes Neil.
86 crop production magazine february 2019
Potato agronomy
L “There’s no evidence of 36_A2 having resistance to any active ingredient but the fact it forms slightly larger lesions means there’s some generic effect, which may be related to its aggressiveness. We need to keep 36_A2 under consideration as it’s clearly more aggressive.” Asked whether there may be an efflux pump mechanism at work in 36_A2, David confirms this is a possibility. Although the low dose fungicide sensitivity work is well below field rates, he advises that it’s something to be aware of. “When blight fungicides are applied in the field, the field rate will reach the upper leaves but there will be leaves further down the canopy which don’t receive field rate, Genotyping shows the ebb and flow of clones in the blight population, with 6_A1 continuing to dominate as well as new growth, so the low dose and increases in the new lineages, 37_A2 and 36_A2. work is important,” he highlights. I Biological fungicide offers perfect complement
Trials investigating the relative performance biological characteristics of the crop and the of Serenade ASO, Bayer’s biological fungicide soil,” says Tim Lacey, Bayer campaign manager containing Bacillus subtilis QST 713, continue to for horticulture. deliver promising value to potato growers. In While the fungicide’s development remains soils where there’s higher pathogen pressure, a case of work-in-progress, recent trials have it performs best when applied in conjunction highlighted its contribution to black dot control with conventional treatments. In lower pressure when applied with Bayer’s new tuber treatment, conditions, its contribution is often enough to be Emesto Prime (penflufen), as well as positive applied as a stand-alone treatment. effects against watery wound rots (Pythium) Trials to date have found performance varies and other soil diseases seen in previous trials. between sites, but there’s regularly a positive When applied with Emesto for Rhizoctonia effect on potato yields, with 10 out of 13 UK solani control, trials from Scotland in 2018 Tim Lacey highlights trials where biological and European trials showing yield increases and identified a significant reduction in the incidence fungicide Serenade has given good control of an average yield increase of 4.6t/ha across all of black dot compared with untreated plots. black dot when used with Ernesto seed 13 trials. In addition, Serenade’s use has led to “Emesto at 1kg/t and Serenade at 5 l/ha treatment. increases in marketable yields through more in-furrow gave one of the best reductions of consistent tuber size and better skin finish. black dot of any treatment in trial, reducing the “Performance is often influenced by external incidence of disease by nearly 50% over the for improved yield protection in the presence of factors such as soil type, moisture, temperature untreated.” PCN, you can expect to gain both tuber quality and disease pressure. This is perhaps not Although further trials are needed, its and yield benefits from Serenade application, as surprising given Serenade is a living organism contribution is more than just that of a supporting well as the PCN protection from Velum Prime, which will interact with the physical and partner. When co-applied with Velum (fluopyram) adds Tim.
88 crop production magazine february 2019
There were “still some useful lessons in spite of the dry conditions.”
Testing year for Roots Fenland trials potato trials
Extreme weather variations organic black soils of the Fens. PCN population in the soil compared with “Even the best irrigated farms and the untreated, although there wasn’t any played havoc with potato forgiving soils struggled with water significant yield increase from nematicides crops in 2018, yet availability last season and we found in 2018, with all plots in the 20-25t/ha a lot of field effects in our trials were range,” adds John Keer of Richard Austin Hutchinsons trials in compromised by lack of rain,” says Darryl Agriculture. Suffolk still generated Shailes. “But there were still some useful “That’s probably because nematode lessons in spite of the dry conditions, motility was reduced in the very dry some valuable findings that which tie in with the need to manage conditions, while the deep, organic soils could help shape agronomy consistency and reduce variation in potato added an extra layer of tolerance to the crops through a variety of options.” effects of PCN.” next season. CPM reports. A second trial examining varietal Varietal resistance tolerance and resistance highlighted the By Paul Spackman Managing potato cyst nematode (PCN) importance of variety choice in managing
with nematicides and varietal resistance PCN. The biggest difference was in the L is a focal point for the Fenland trials and The 2017/18 season may be one to forget although results were not as pronounced for many potato growers, but if more as in 2017, there was a clear correlation unpredictable weather, pest and disease with previous findings. threats are becoming the norm then One trial looking at the effect of four it’s something to learn from rather than nematicide treatments on marketable yield consign to the memory banks, believes and PCN multiplication in replicated plots Hutchinsons root crop manager of Maris Peer again found a benefit from Darryl Shailes. nematicides in helping reduce PCN The agronomy company’s trials at its build-up in the soil over the season. Fenland Potato Demonstration in Suffolk The initial pre-planting PCN population were not immune from the cold, late start of around 100 eggs/g of soil was twice as to the season followed by summer high as in 2017, but egg counts on treated drought, but they still revealed interesting plots after harvest revealed all treatments results across several agronomy areas. helped manage PCN. This was indicated It was the second year of research at AL by all treatments having a Pf:Pi ratio of Lee Farming Company’s Friesland Farm less than 1.5 (final population divided by Darryl Shailes recommends growers use a range near Mildenhall, which was established the initial population), compared with a of measures to protect against PCN to help specifically to examine the unique Pf:Pi of over 2 in untreated. protect any varietal resistance. management required on the deep, “Nematicides did help keep a lid on
crop production magazine february 2019 89 Fenland trials
But John warns different types of yielded just 22-23t/ha on average, well Globodera pallida could be present in the below the 30-35t/ha from plots chitted for field, so variety resistance was not four or eight weeks with chits left intact. necessarily the only answer. “Removing chits means there’s no “Not all G. pallida are the same, so there’s apical dominance and prompts a shock a real need for better understanding of the reaction where tubers put out more pathotypes present in the field.” stems and use a lot of energy doing so. Darryl adds it’s vital to protect genetics It reinforces the need to protect them on in resistant varieties with a spectrum of the planter,” explains Stefan. PCN control measures, rather than rely on Generally, the most effective physiological any single element. Vigorous (tolerant) ageing treatment was the four-week chit, varieties generally yielded slightly better which showed the most consistent and than less tolerant types, although all were highest yields in both ‘old’ and ‘young’ compromised by dry weather. seed lots tested. ‘Old’ seed had a 50% Nematicides all helped limit PCN multiplication, emergence date of 5 May, one month though there were no yield responses in 2018, Chronological seed age before the younger seed (6 June). says John Keer. Heat stress also affected final yield “Historically the farm standard has been results in the seed trial, which examined to chit seed for eight weeks, but we may
L effect of variety resistance, or the crop’s differences in chronological seed age and change that in future,” he adds. ability to disrupt cyst formation through the physical ageing methods. But there were Stefan highlights that older seed season. The most effective varieties at still some useful findings that will be out-performed younger seed in all physical doing this, with a Pf:Pi ratio of less than explored further in 2019, comments local seed age trials. He also recognised the 1, were similar to last year and included Farmacy agronomist Stefan Williams. impact delayed planting had on yields, Eurostar, Performa, Camel and Arsenal. In particular, there was a clear yield particularly Maris Piper which requires Those that resulted in the greatest penalty where chits of Scottish Maris Piper a long growing season. build-up of PCN again included Cara, seed were intentionally damaged at planting. “There’s a strong case for sowing Piper Markies, Agria and Sagitta. These plots were slower to emerge and earlier, so we might trial different planting dates next season to see if there’s a benefit from giving it longer in the ground.” I Other trial highlights The trials showed the importance of protecting The herbicides trial again showed clear evidence of higher stem numbers from SDHI chits on the planter. differences in the impact of post-emergence chemistry. products on individual varieties. “Higher stem numbers generally mean higher “It’s early days for this research, but there are yield, but in this trial, there was no significant signs that in some situations you might be better effect which was probably due to the negating to risk a bit of crop damage than suffer the yield effect of the dry season. I think there may still be penalty from high levels of redshank or other a case for using chemistry to manipulate stem weeds,” says Darryl. “There’s limited screening of numbers, but the choice you make depends new varieties by herbicide manufacturers, so our on the variety and end market requirements,” aim is to eventually equip our agronomists with a says John. traffic light system for use in the field based on Black scurf, caused by the Rhizoctonia solani our experience and other research.” fungus, was found at relatively low level on a In a separate trial, Farmacy agronomist John high proportion of tubers, which he suggests Chamberlain examined the effects of the latest could be due to the unusual weather and a lot Herbicide trial summary seed treatments. He found a reduction in black of secondary growth. “Tubers were clean when dot incidence across all seed treatment and planted and there were no signs of disease at G Herbicide tank mixes tended to produce in-furrow options tested, with some anecdotal the open day in July.” greater crop effects. G Worst-affected varieties were similar to Growers see the effect of various treatments at the Fenland trial’s open day last July. 2017 –– Sagitta (highest chlorosis), Markies (highest necrosis). G Scorch severity did not necessarily relate to vigour loss e.g. Agria did not show much scorch but vigour was affected more than some others. G Soil type and weather had a major impact on crop resilience to herbicide effects (deep organic soils are more forgiving than mineral soils). G Increasing water volume generally reduced crop damage.
90 crop production magazine february 2019 the plough, which has In a new study, a team of has become even hotter since become the pariah of scientists at Wageningen the Government indicated future the cultivation world, University analysed surface payments to agriculture will be really deserves it’s soil samples from 11 European made on the basis of public bad PR. countries, searching for traces money for public goods. Already My ‘father-in-law’, of pesticides. The project, Mr Gove has made the link Graham, is a tidy ‘Pesticide residues in European between soil health and farmer and his crops always agricultural soils: a hidden reality cultivations, but since the soil is look well. Mind you, he’s had unfolded’, concluded that 83% of a complex living-system, there plenty of practice being an samples contained pesticide can be no one-size-fits-all active octogenarian who does residues (76 different types of approach to farming. everything himself on the farm. compounds). 58% of those were It’s incredibly important that As a young man he won the local mixes of pesticides, with the farmers, like Graham, who are ploughing match, the one and remaining 25% from a single type using the plough and managing only time he decided to enter. So of substance. Glyphosate, DDT to maintain a burgeoning The curious case he knows how to plough well and (banned since the 1970s) and population of earthworms aren’t he has that knack of catching the broad-spectrum fungicides were penalised under any terms in of earthworms ground just right. He’s not one to the main compounds detected. the new Agriculture Act because in abundance buy the newest tractor or get While some of these may well they’re not doing what is excited by the thought of having be benign, how much do we presumed to be a more more horse power than he know about the effect of others soil-friendly approach. In farming families, the actually needs. So perhaps on the soil biome? So although conversation inevitably comes ploughmanship, timeliness and cultivations can undoubtedly back round to farming at some non-weighty kit play a part in have an effect on the biology of Based in Ludlow, Shrops, point, and so it was in mine on maintaining the soil in a condition the soil, just perhaps there are Lucy de la Pasture has Christmas day. While feeling where earthworms can thrive, other factors at play which worked as an agronomist, well fed and somewhat even after the inversion of means the principle of ‘min till is while among the Twitterati, soporific in front of the fire, ploughing and the consequent better’ doesn’t necessarily apply she’s @Lucy_delaP. the mention of ‘earthworms’ invasion of seagulls which mop to all farming systems. [email protected] and ‘abundant’ in the same up the exposed wigglers in its The debate around soil health sentence awoke my inner aftermath. journalist, so much so that But perhaps there’s more to it Does the plough really deserve its bad PR? I asked for a recap on the bits than that. If the biological health I’d missed! The general gist of the soil is good under a was that the farm had taken plough regime then surely deep part in a soil survey, part of a soil cultivations can’t necessarily local water catchment study, be always be bad. Is the and the results had revealed industry focus on cultivations a very healthy population of an oversimplification of what’s earthworms in all of the fields actually an enormously complex that had been tested. system? Other management The reason it caught my factors include the crop rotation attention was because all of the and the chemistry applied to the farm is ploughed every year and different crops within them. This has been since 1937, when is something which isn’t often arable crops were planted as factored into determinations of part of the effort to feed the soil health, yet some of the nation. That made it a curious chemistry used a long time ago result as all the messages has a very persistent effect. surrounding ‘soil health’ seem Aldrin, for instance oxidises to to indicate min till and no till dieldrin, which can persist in the operations provide more soil for sixty years. Although favourable conditions than the these chemicals are long deep disturbance of the plough. gone, there are plenty of So clearly this doesn’t always other organochlorides and hold true. So I began to wonder organophosphates which why this should be and whether are similarly persistent.
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