Crop diseases on the rise as heavy rain takes it toll
Tuesday May 26 2009
Bad weather is causing havoc with crucial spraying operations on cereals, Teagasc has warned.
The broken weather will have serious implications for yield, with the authority already predicting these to be "modest" at best.
Its latest crop report says that wet weather diseases are predominating. It also reveals planting of potato and maize crops are way behind normal levels, with 40pc of potato sowings still to be completed in parts of the north.
"Spring cereals are suffering quite badly," said tillage expert Jim O'Mahony. "There are a lot of nutritional problems showing up, many relating to nitrogen deficiency because a lot of people did not get a chance to top dress."
Mr O'Mahony says that even in cases where this has been done, wet weather caused a loss of nitrogen. He advises farmers to get top dressing done as soon as possible.
"Disease levels have increased with rhyncho, net blotch and mildew evident in most crops," Mr O'Mahony warned.
He advised growers to inspect the crops before spraying, to determine if a fungicide is needed.
However, Mr O'Mahony says a priority must also be given to Septoria control in winter wheat, which has showed a marked increase.
"Give priority to spraying the flag leaf fungicide on winter wheat because this is where most of the problems will occur.
"This will be impossible to control unless flag leaf spray goes out in the next few days," he said.
Mildew rates have not increased in winter wheat in the past two weeks and remain at a low level.
Rhyncho is the dominate disease in winter barley but it is being held off by sprays. Again, mildew levels have not increased.
Weed control is also creating headaches for farmers. Mr O'Mahony said the rate of herbicide use may need to be increased if the weeds are at an advanced stage.
Planting of main crop potatoes is still ongoing, with up to 100pc of sowings complete in some areas. Although this is significantly lower in northern counties. Earlies may be ready to harvest in the next week. Application of herbicides and fungicides continues to be extremely difficult due to the weather.
Weather conditions are conducive to the spread of blight and all growers are advised to be proactive in protecting their crops.
- Majella O'Sullivan
