This Arable Update summarises yield and profitability results from 47 FAR trials since 2013, comparing programmes with and without a T0, to help guide your decision-making.
Key Points:
- A fungicide application at Growth Stage (GS) 30 (T0) in autumn sown wheat delivered a significant grain yield increase in only 13% of 111 comparisons across 47 FAR fungicide trials.
- Average grain yields were almost identical for three-spray (no T0) and four-spray programmes; 11.56 t/ha and 11.72 t/ha respectively.
- A T0 fungicide spray never delivered a financial benefit.
- The number of times a yield benefit from a T0 was observed depended on region or cropping system e.g. irrigated crops showed significant gains 17% of the time whilst non-irrigated crops (i.e. in South Canterbury) provided no yield improvement and often negative returns.