T1 fungicides imminent on
early sown wheat.
Photo Philip Tuplin.

South East: Peter Cowlrick reports that September-Mid-October sown crops range between GS 31-33 with leaf 3 now between 25-100% emerged, the most advanced varieties are still Solstice and Einstein, while Claire and Alchemy are generally the most backward. Leaf 2 beginning to emerge in the more advanced crops in coastal locations. October sown Soissons now at GS 33 with leaf 3 fully emerged and leaf 2 up to 75% emerged on main shoots. Otherwise most later sown crops are between GS 30-31. With the arrival of warmer nights and lengthening days, leaf emergence is now accelerating - if summer-like conditions arrive in next 10-14 days, I would anticipate another year of early flag-leaf emergence.

Brown rust: T0 sprays have prevented further pustule development.

Yellow rust: none seen.

Septoria: in general, the first rainsplash event of significance for leaf 3 was on the 21st April, so T1 sprays should be targeted around 7-14 days from that point. Consequently there is no panic, or benefit to applying T1 sprays too early - between the 26th April and 7th May will probably be about right, depending upon variety and leaf emergence. Ideally want tip of leaf 2 to be emerging on main shoots, otherwise gap between T1 and T2 will be too long, allowing Septoria to infect leaf 2.

Eyespot: ALERT stem based browning increasingly obvious in many first wheats, with combination of some true eyespot and general browning. Weather to date continues to be ideal for eyespot development. Looks like turning into an old fashioned eyespot and Septoria driven wheat fungicide season.

Weeds: cleavers fairly widespread this spring.

Mildew: mild damp conditions now along with rapid accumulation of nitrogen and soft growth are generating ideal mildew conditions.

South West: Stephen Harrison reports that tip of leaf 3 is visible in most crops sown in or before the first week in October. T1 spraying will start in earnest this weekend or early next week. One or two earlier crops of Einstein and Humber have already been treated. Improving temperatures are really pushing crops on. Earlier signs of stress and yellowing now fading.

Brown rust: still very rare.

Septoria tritici: warmth and rain are making ideal Septoria conditions. Expect to see symptoms on main yield forming leaves if fungicides not robust and timely.

Mildew: levels remain low.

Eyespot: ALERT worst of eyespot is now on silty soils that continue to lie wet. In some cases lesions are starting to affect the stem beyond the old leaf sheaths.

East Midlands: Martin Eudall reports that forward crops have leaf 3 at 10-20% emerged, but crops will move rapidly now with warmer weather. Many crops showing stress of lower leaves due to weather with older leaves with leaf tipping. Some upper leaves show some blueing after the recent cold but now growing out of it. Wet and windy weather a week ago has limited spraying to a couple of days this week, but generally good soil conditions has allowed some catching up. Some fields very wet in patches preventing work. Very few yet to get onto narrow wheels as tramlines too wet.

Brown rust: none seen

Yellow rust: controlled by T0 fungicides.

Septoria tritici: older lower leaves have infection but leaves 4 and 5 clear and T0 on recently should be holding it now.

Mildew: levels probably lowest I have seen for some years - even Solstice is clear.

Eyespot: still easily found in many varieties - Einstein showing more this year than seen previously but also seen in Oakley, Solstice and Robigus. T1 fungicides going on in next few days but some missed T0 have become an early T1, followed by and early T2, then at early ear or split T2 - a compromise season I'm afraid.

Weeds: some cleaver grow back will need some tidying up.

West Midlands: Bryce Rham reports that crops range from GS 30 -32. Odd forward crops of Einstein with leaf 2 emerging. Generally September sown crops have leaf 3 from 10 - 70% emerged. Crops visibly greening up over last two days of warm sunshine. Wet conditions mean that some deep ruts are being caused particularly on heavy land. T1 applications have started on Tuesday 22nd, T0 applications finished on same day.

Mildew: some pustules evident on Alchemy where thick and some found on Gladiator. Also visible at low levels on Timber and Gatsby although both varieties rated 7 for resistance.

Brown rust: none found to date.

Eyespot: ALERT early sown Claire, Einstein and Solstice with very visible lesions some visible on Gatsby at low levels. Reports of some severe lessions being found in Humber.

Weeds: still no pattern to what has controlled cleavers best, just appears that some fields are clean for whatever reason.

Eastern Counties: Brendan Butterworth reports that the majority of early sown wheats now at GS 31-32. Later sown at mid tillering - GS 30. Later sown at GS 30.

Brown rust: low levels in Alchemy now disappeared following frost.

Yellow rust: none seen.

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

Septoria tritici: main disease this year so far. Levels building especially in early sown crops, Solstice, Gladiator, Consort all with quite high levels.

Mildew: now building again especially Claire, Solstice, Humber and in lush crops of Robigus.

North East: Phillip Tuplin reports that later sown crops at GS 30, and others at GS 31-32. Humber, Cordiale and Einstein most forward along with early sown Robigus. Where T0 was applied intention is to apply T1 over next 7 days.

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

Yellow rust: present now at moderate level in crops where the intended T0 was not applied.

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

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

Mildew: none seen.

Protracted early flowering
period. Photo Farming Online.

South East: Most crops now range from first few flowers to full flower on main racemes (with up to 10 pods set on some plants) and remain remarkably short as a consequence of cold spring weather and resultant slow nitrogen uptake.

Light leaf spot: none seen.

Sclerotinia: arrival of warmer weather and increasing soil temperatures are enabling first apothecia to emerge and with the more advanced crops approaching early petal fall, conditions for infection seem likely to overlap well with flowering. Many crops have had triazole + mbc applied in last 2-3 weeks to provide some initial lower canopy protection and some canopy PGR effects, which should enable the use of effective mid/late flower top-up sprays these are mostly being targeted for 21-28 days after triazole/mbc applications.

Pollen beetle: overall risk is declining, but will need to remain vigilant with more backward/pigeon grazed crops.

South West: Earliest fields now in full flower.

Sclerotinia: sclerotinia sprays commencing, recent gentle rain ideal for promoting petal stick. Steady soft rain worse than downpours which tend to wash off petals rather than sticking them to the stem. These conditions could worsen light leaf spot so worth checking that your chosen Sclerotinia fungicide has activity on this pathogen.

Light leaf spot: none seen.

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

Eastern Counties: Pat Turnbull reports that crops are coming into flower, most forward are approaching mid-flower, other just a few flowers open. Flowering looks as if it will be protracted. Pigeon damaged area really showing up as crops come into flower and more widespread than ever!

Sclerotinia: approaching sclerotinia timings at early mid flower, expect to be applying bulk of these sprays next week. Timing quite difficult as flowering very uneven. High risk sclerotinia weather, treating all crops.

Pollen beetle: still few pollen beetles around but need to keep a watch on this as crops will be a long time coming into flower.

East Midlands: Flowering is variable - some even crops now well in flower with first few pods set whilst others have half field in flower and pigeon damaged half still at yellow bud.

Light leaf spot: none seen.

Sclerotinia: where flowering and first petals falling sclerotinia sprays have gone on in last couple of days. On variable flowering crops a compromise will be made spraying when majority of forward part of field is flowering well. With T1 sprays on wheat imminent and weather still variable, sclerotinia sprays have gone on to give cover, (even if a second spray is needed later) rather than miss a spray opportunity.

Pollen beetle: out with the sun but numbers below threshold and making for the flowering plants.

West Midlands: A spell of warmer weather has brought these crops on with more now at full flower, although still some crops at yellow bud. Soils are wet.

Sclerotinia: risk has increased with recent rains and warming soils. Fungicide applications already started.

Pollen beetle: very low levels only.

North East: Most backward crops at yellow bud, and most forward well in flower now and at early petal fall with a few pods set.

Sclerotinia: this is a high risk area for Sclerotinia.

Pollen beetle: none seen.

South East: All crops now around GS31-32 with leaf 2 emerging now - T1 applications now completed on all but most backward crops.

South West: Crops are at last looking erect rather than prostrate. Flag leaf just emerging in South Somerset.

Eastern Counties: Crops now at GS 30 - 31. T1 fungicides applied.

Midlands: Leaf 2 now emerging and expect awns out in 10-14 days, especially if weather is warm.

North East: Big range in growth stages with some crops of Flagon with flag leaf just emerging. Pict is also close to flag leaf, but most Carat and Saffron will be another 7 days yet.