Key Points
- Application of fungicides to Italian ryegrass gave significant yield increases in four out of five trials.
- The addition of Opus to Moddus at growth stage 32 provides early season disease control and protection until later fungicide timings. This application should become standard.
- In general, the application of two fungicides over the ear emergence to flowering period has given greater consistency compared to a single application.
- When low rates of fungicide are being used, often a single application earlier has given similar results compared to splitting the same amount of active ingredient over two sprays.
- While the main disease seen in this trial series was crown rust, fungicide programmes should also consider stem rust and blind seed disease and the weather conditions which favour these.