Key Points
- Early season control of scald using two-spray programmes timed at GS30 (rows closed) and GS49 (awns emerged) has given the highest yield and margin on Optic, for the second year in succession
- Disease pressure was high with scald then later ramularia, testing fungicide efficacy
- Yields ranged from 6.3t/ha for the untreated, through to 8.2t/ha for two-spray programmes of either Amistar 0.5l + Opus 0.5l/ha at GS30 & 49, or Twist 0.5l + Opus 0.25l/ha programmes at GS30 & 49. The highest margin came from the Twist + Opus programme
- Yields and margins were higher where the same amount of fungicide was split and applied at GS30 & 49, rather than all applied at GS49
- The addition of Protek to Opus decreased levels of scald and provided a non-significant yield increase