Beware the increased risk of disease in early drilled wheat

In fact, recent crop inspections by our regional agronomy managers have highlighted worrying levels of septoria and rusts already clearly visible in a lot of wheat crops across the UK, with the highest levels of disease being seen in those crops which were drilled first. 

Any crops showing symptoms at this stage will need to be earmarked for a robust fungicide programme so that they can remain ahead of diseases and go on to maximise their potential and return on investment. 

For those crops which were sown early and have been subjected to extended periods of damp weather, the best form of attack is to apply a strong fungicide treatment at T0 to protect Leaf 4 and to reduce fungal spores going on to infect subsequent leaves. 

The need to provide robust protection this early in the season is more important than ever as many of the fungicide active ingredients that once provided curative activity are no longer as effective as they used to be, due predominantly to the erosion of their efficacy by increasingly resistant disease strains. As such, we can no longer rely on T1 applications to pull infections back, especially if weather conditions mean the timing of T1 treatments is compromised. 

It therefore makes sense to bring spring disease protocols forwards by applying a T0 fungicide treatment. 

ARIZONA – the first line of defence against septoria 

In circumstances where septoria is the driver for a T0 treatment, ARIZONA (500 g/l folpet) is the ideal option: this multi-site fungicide can be used either as a standalone product to protect against septoria, or, where additional diseases present a threat, as a tank mix partner to power-up the efficacy of other modes of action. 

Including ARIZONA (500 g/l folpet) at the T0 timing is recommended in the following situations: 

• Where septoria is the main disease: use a standalone application of ARIZONA 
• Where there is an additional threat of rust or if active rust is present in the crop: use ARIZONA alongside an appropriate azole-based product 

In all these scenarios, using ARIZONA (500 g/l folpet) at T0 will also provide peace of mind by ensuring crops have been protected if/when subsequent T1 applications are delayed. 

Additional protection against rusts 

As well as providing effective protection against septoria, ARIZONA also offers additional benefits in wheat, including: 

1. Delivers a reliable return on investment by extending green leaf area duration, resulting in higher yields and enhanced crop quality – seven years of trials data shows that ARIZONA delivers an average yield benefit of just over 0.3t/ha. 
2. Provides a useful reduction of yellow and brown rusts 
3. Protects partner products against the development of disease resistance 

ARIZONA can be used at a range of application timings (from T0 to T3), with the best yield improvements seen when applied at T0 onwards in a high-pressure year. 

Disease control beyond T0 

Thanks to its flexible label which enables it to be applied at a maximum total dose of 3.0 l/ha per crop (1.5 l/ha maximum individual dose), ARIZONA can also be applied later in the season. For example, applying 1.0 l/ha at T0 will enable an additional 2.0 l/ha to be applied later in the season (either at T1 and/or T2) thereby ensuring crops stay protected for longer. 

To find out more about how ARIZONA could work in your rotation, contact your Regional Agronomy Manager by calling the ADAMA technical helpline on 01635 876 622 or via email at ukenquiries@adama.com 

ARIZONA… protection that pays for itself 

ARIZONA^® (folpet 500 g/l) is a unique multi-site fungicide that provides valuable protection against key diseases in wheat and barley. ARIZONA delivers a reliable return on investment through enhanced disease control and safeguards the efficacy of partner products as part of an anti-resistance strategy. 

• ARIZONA enhances septoria control in wheat and can also provide a useful reduction of yellow and brown rusts. It also offers intrinsic activity against mildew. 
• ARIZONA also safeguards barley against ramularia, net blotch and rhynchosporium. 
• Seven years of trials data has proven that ARIZONA delivers an average yield benefit of just over 0.3t/ha.