NW Agronomy Ltd.

Independent Crop Management

For The Eastern Counties

February Crop Notes 2008.

 

I have recorded 97mm (3.9”) of rain in January. The October to January rainfall for the last few years is presented below and they indicate we are in an average rainfall winter. The greenness of the crops is probably a result of the higher than average soil temperatures that have allowed more nitrogen to be mineralised in the soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Low levels of yellow rust and brown rust have been reported in the last few weeks. No action is required yet, but we should continue to monitor varieties such as Alchemy & Robigus, so that we can note the presence of infection and take action in March or April.

 

Wheat bulb fly egg hatch is making progress, so there is still time to apply Dursban (Chlorpyrifos), if it is required. Perhaps, more importantly, any dry weather may present the only opportunity of getting the rolls out on any at risk fields. This will particularly beneficial if the soil is light or puffy.

 

Crops at risk to take-all and those thinned out by wheat bulb fly should be considered for 40 to 60kg/ha nitrogen plus sulphur at the end of this month.

 

As usual we should monitor winter barley crops during February for the kite shaped yellow stunted patches of Barley yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV). This soil borne problem continues its spread and we find one or two new infections in most years.

 

Oilseed Rape: Phoma leaf spotting has become harder to find since Christmas as the older leaves have senesced away. With the first crops just starting extension growth pigeon deterrence becomes an important task this month.

The first nitrogen and sulphur applications should be timed for later on this month. Aim to apply 40 –50% of the total dose in the first pass. Where the crop is particularly large and forward consider delaying the first application until March and also splitting about 25% of the total dose into April. The HGCA have produced evidence to show why forward thick crops of rape do not produce as much yield as thinner more open crops. We should therefore make use of nitrogen timing and growth regulatory fungicides to avoid creating over thick crops.

 

Peas & Beans:  Foot rot diseases of peas and beans are increased both by the frequency of legumes in the rotation and the poorer quality of the seedbed. Any restrictions to root exploration or drainage during the growing season will increase the risk of damaging attack. It has long been recognised that ploughing in dry soil conditions and producing a seed bed with the minimum of passes is key to growing a good crop of peas or beans.

           The PGRO have been offering a foot rot test for peas for some years and estimate that on average you can expect a yield loss of 0.75t/ha for each increase in the foot rot index of 1. Since it takes 8 to 10 years for the index to drop by 1 in the absence of legume crops there is good reason to continue practicing wide legume rotations where no more than 4 legumes per 20 years are grown.

 

Spring bean drills may start to roll this month. Seed rates should be calculated to establish 40plants/m². This normally involves drilling about 45seeds/m².

 

Drilling of dry harvest peas is generally best left until early March as February drillings often struggle to make the best yields. Target plant populations should be in the range: Marrowfats 65plants/m², others 70plants/m^2.

 

Cross Compliance Notes

 

Hedge cutting closed season for cross compliance runs from 1^st March until 31^st July.

 

ELS hedge cutting options EB1 & 2 also 1^st March until 31^st July

 

Enhanced hedgerow management EB 3 cannot be cut between 28^th Feb and 1^st Sept.

 

EB6 Ditch management option can only be cut between 15^th September and 28th February.

 

Ensure you have a copy of the updated (Jan 2006) Code of practice for the use of plant protection products in the farm office.

 

Mike Thompson

01760 755663

07831 468442