Crop of Einstein now at GS 30.
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South East: Peter Cowlrick reports that, September-Mid-October sown crops are all at early stem extension GS 30>31 (greatest stem extension showing in Solstice and Einstein), with leaf 4 up to 50% emerged. October sown Soissons now at GS30<31. Otherwise later sown crops range between mid-tillering and early GS 30. Recent cold snap slowed growth down considerably, and with more cold weather on the way, we are heading for a more typical season of crop development than of late. Most advanced crops (Einstein/Solstice) have leaf 4 around 50-80% emerged now.

Brown rust: coastal located September sown crops of Claire/Alchemy/Solstice all have very obvious sporulating pustules appearing in lower 1/3 of canopy, otherwise inland & later sown crops only have low levels showing to date, however with temperatures hitting 16-17 degrees C in last few days, disease expression is likely to increase in susceptible varieties.

Yellow rust: none seen.

Mildew: pustules still present on most September sown crops of Solstice/Claire in sheltered areas and lusher canopies, but otherwise mostly browned by recent frosts.

Seproria tritici: widespread on all older leaves and beginning to show expression on leaf 6 of more susceptible varieties (Solstice, Cordiale and Xi19) - with regular rain events assume that all leaves are infected even if symptomless.

Eyespot: increasing levels of stem based browning being noted in many first wheats, with combination of some true eyespot, but mostly sharp eyespot at this stage.

Weeds: cleavers present particularly in fields after beans/potatoes this year, but overall fairly widespread this spring. Further flush of cotyledon cleavers now appearing.

South West: Stephen Harrison reports that, GS 30 has been reached or will be reached by the middle of next week in most crops. Many crops showing tipping from wind burn and cold nights. As a freshly emerged leaf 4 takes dominance in the canopy green healthy looking crops will return. Progress towards GS 31 is slow except in sheltered areas. Many crops have a very long basal internode with little sign of the first internode extending.

Brown rust: still very rare.

Septoria tritici: still only on older overwintered leaves however, it is possible to find newer, fresh lesions with obvious pycnidia.

Mildew: levels remain low.

Eyespot: becoming easier to find on all wheats drilled before early October and present in some later drilled crops.

Aphids: no aphids being found.

Weeds: Autumn blackgrass control generally excellent.

East Midlands: Malcolm Harrison reports most crops now approaching GS 30 with clear evidence of GS 31 in sheltered areas of most forward crops. Crops growing slowly, and responding to early N. Drying soils, but limited chance of spraying - mainly due to strong winds. Also soil cold 6-7 degrees C. Last 2 days temps up to 14 degrees C.

Brown rust: none seen even on Alchemy.

Yellow rust: none seen even on Robigus.

Mildew: odd inactive pustule seen but most crops very clean of mildew.

Eyespot: some symptoms (including 'stem-base browning') on forward crops and becoming penetrating on some second wheats. Occasional sharp eyespot suspected.

West Midlands: Bryce Rham reports that many crops now at GS 30, Einstein at GS 31 in quite a few cases. Field conditions varies from very wet to just about OK, min-till heavy ground is bad news and unlikely to travel until at least 4-5 days good drying weather. T0 good day on Thursday 27th with early birds making a start, another good day on 2 April.

Brown rust: none found to date.

Mildew: a lot controlled by recent frosts. Too early to say whether will be an issue at T1.

Eyespot: early sown Claire with very visible lesions and Einstein where the lesions have penetrated the leaf sheath. Some visible on Gatsby and Solstice at low levels.

Eastern Counties: Majority of early sown wheats now at GS 30 - 31. Soils are now drying out with some wet areas. T0 fungicides being applied this week.

Brown rust: none seen.

Yellow rust: none seen.

Septoria tritici: main disease this year so far. Solstice, Gladiator, Consort all with quite high levels.

Mildew: now building again especially Claire and Solstice and notably following sugar beet.

Eyespot: levels are high in susceptible varieties e.g. Robigus.

Take-all: starting to show in second and third Wheats.

Weeds: cleavers in abundance in some crops and groundsel the usual escapee from autumn applications.

North East: Phillip Tuplin reports that most forward wheats at GS 31 (just), rest of wheat GS 30. Range of growth stages closer now as crops still reach GS 30 very quickly as day length increases. Only 4 mm rain this week, and fields in excellent condition for travelling. Strong winds and a couple of showery days have limited spraying done, but most farms within one good day of being up to date.

Brown rust: none seen this week even on early sown first wheat Alchemy.

Yellow rust: none seen, even on Robigus.

Septoria tritici: present on older leaves on most varieties particularly Nijinsky and Cordiale.

Mildew: present at a low level in forward crops of Claire, but is actually less evident than it was in December.

Eyespot: high levels of stem browning easily found in second and continuous wheats.

Weeds: cleavers have seen very few, but where present they are quite big.

Early flowering in forward crops.
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South East: Most crops now between green and yellow buds visible, with first flowers visible in Komando/Castille and Catalina.

Light leaf spot: none seen.

Pollen beetle: low levels of adult pollen beetle just beginning to be found in early flowers - forecast colder weather will slow migration again, but will need to be vigilant with more backward/pigeon grazed crops.

Pigeons: still very problematic in thinner patches and more open crops - are still some very large flocks about.

South West: Many crops at early flower. Stems now extending rapidly. Quite a lot of variation in flowering time within crops with poor establishment.

Light leaf spot: none seen.

Pollen beetle: can be found but not at damaging levels.

East Midlands: Most crops are improving quite quickly, with backward areas much better. Effective pigeon control is clearly paying off, otherwise some serious pigeon (and rabbit) damage. Flower buds obvious on most crops with flowering starting on lead plants. Very wide range of maturity in same crop - timing difficult.

Light leaf spot: none seen.

Pollen beetle: only low levels at present.

Pigeons: continue to attack crops.

Weeds: charlock/runch patches on a few fields.

West Midlands: Crops now visibly growing with most advanced at full green buds visible, early flowers on most forward crops.

Light leaf spot: obvious signs being found in Astrid.

Pollen beetle: now being found at very low level, 1-2/plant. Not treating at the moment, will monitor levels.

Pigeons: still devastating some crops.

Eastern Counties: Pat Turnbull reports that warm weather has moved most forward crops past mid stem extension to late green bud/ early yellow bud with a few flowers open. Later crops just reaching mid stem extension. Crops are still very uneven from plant to plant expect this could mean a prolonged flowering period and could make the timing of desiccation and harvest difficult.

Light leaf spot: odd foci of infection but not widespread.

Pollen beetle: flying this week, finding them initially on taller plants coming into flower above the main canopy. Very low levels so far.

Pigeons: continue to be a real nuisance.

North East: Big range in crop development with some at yellow bud and the most backward with flower buds just visible. Travelling conditions are OK, though still very tender on lower lying land. Soil temperature's back to 7.5 degrees C. Crops have grown slowly. Growth regulation imminent on most crops.

Light leaf spot: none seen, but all crops have had an autumn and January fungicide application.

Pigeons: damage extensive, large flocks still gathering.

Net-blotch in winter barley.
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South East: All crops now around GS30+.

Brown rust: low levels can be found in most crops of Pearl/Sequel/Boost.

Mildew: at very low levels.

Rhynchosporium: at very low levels.

Net blotch: at moderate levels in Sequel and Boost.

South West: Crops now taking up N and looking much greener. Very few beyond GS 30 at present. Very little disease present.

Midlands: Most crops at GS 30. Crops beginning to green up as they pick up the earlier applied nitrogen. Disease levels remain low. T1 fungicide week commencing 7th April with majority at end of that week and into following week.

Eastern Counties: Getting towards GS 30 in the main.

Brown rust: at trace levels in susceptible varieties e.g. Carat.

Net blotch: levels increasing, Pearl and Cassata notably.

Rhynchosporium: at low levels.

North East: All crops at leaf sheath erect GS 30 now, and will soon be GS 31.

Net blotch and Rhynchosporium: low levels in most crops.