Key Points
- Fungicide applications in spring sown Dash resulted in yield increases of between 4 and 11%.
- Despite relatively small responses to fungicides, 2-spray programmes gave significant yield and margin advantages over single sprays applied at GS49 (awns emerging).
- A two-spray sequence of Allegro 0.4 gave the highest yield and margin. Whilst the Opus + Amistar sequence generated the second highest yield, two sprays of Opus 0.25 l/ha alone created a better margin.
- Over three years the benefit of adding strobilurin (Amistar) to a 2-spray Opus programme has been greatest when disease pressure is high.
- The addition of the non-strobilurin fungicide carbendazim (e.g. Protek) has given significant yield benefits in scald situations, but has not been associated with the same degree of green leaf retention noted with strobilurins.
- Overall the low rate mixtures of Opus/strobilurin or Opus/carbendazim in 2 spray programmes represent the best combination of disease insurance, yield, margin and defence against resistance