TeagascAdvisoryNewsletter

March 2016

Edited by

Tim O’DonovanTillage Specialist

TILLAGEPlant counts

All winter crops should be

assessed for plant counts before

you apply fertiliser or sprays this

spring. Many crops are well

established but where crops

suffered from the wet weather or

in low fertility sites, tiller numbers

are below optimum. Wheat and

barley are most likely to produce

viable tillers before gs30. If you

are not happy with crop stands –

get phosphorous (P) on for

rooting; apply a little nitrogen

(N) (see below) and consider

some CCC about 7-10 days later

during growth. Remember –

temperature drives leaf growth

and tiller numbers whereas

nitrogen and CCC keep them

viable once formed.

In this issue

n Plant counts

n Winter barley

n Winter wheat

n Winter oats

n Winter oilseedrape

n Spring crops

Barley will most likely produceviable tillers before gs30.

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TILLAGE

FertiliserApply the P and K with the first application of

N if not already applied. Apply 40-50kg/ha of

N as the first split in mid March. Increase rates

to 75 kg/ha in second wheats or where take-all

is a risk. Generally divide the nitrogen

applications a quarter/a half/a quarter between

the three splits. Apply the main split by gs31

and the last split by gs39. Recent Oak Park trials

have shown that very early N (late

February/early March) in wheat can be

inefficient as it only takes 30kg/ha N to

produce 1,000 shoots/m2 in wheat and barley.

PGRApply 2.0L/ha of CCC 75% at gs30/31 (late

March/early April). Other options include

Canopy, Meteor, Moddus, and K2 etc. For best

effect apply all PGRs during a period of growth.

Look at Department of Agriculture, Food and the

Marine (DAFM) variety lists for guidance on straw

characteristics.

FungicidesTrial work has consistently shown no yield benefits

from using a T0 but it can be used as a little

insurance to correctly time the T1 to the third last

leaf fully emerged. Teagasc recommends using

chlorothalonil (e.g., Bravo) at T0 and generally

will not be applied until late March-early April

with your main PGR. Do not use a triazole

(Gleam, Opus etc.) at T0 as it will compromise

your septoria control later in the season. Split

plants and count internal leaves to get the T1

timing correct – don’t rely on growth stage alone!

Teagasc will be texting clients with growth stages

in 2016 so ask your advisor to be put on the list.

Winter wheat

FertiliserApply the first split (33% of total or 40% of

total if take-all risk is high) of N in early/mid

March and apply the main split by gs30/31.

Where N levels are high (over 180kg/ha N)

three splits can be used but ensure all nitrogen

is applied by gs32-37. Apply P and potassium

(K) with the first split based on soil samples -

remember last year’s high yields removed

substantial levels of P and K. Sulphur

(15kg/ha) and trace elements (based on soil

analysis and field history) should be applied to

all cereals before gs31.

PGRCCC 1.5L/ha before gs30 will encourage tiller

survival (not to reduce lodging), can give a

yield response (0.2 t/ha), helps to even up

crops and can be applied with the first

fungicide. Use 0.2L/ha Moddus plus 1.0L/ha

CCC for high lodging risk fields especially with

hybrid varieties. For best straw shortening effect

in barley, apply Cerone/Terpal/Moddus from

gs32-39 (ideally with the second fungicide).

FungicidesA three-spray programme out-yielded a two-

spray programme in Teagasc trials. Early season

disease can rob yield by reducing tiller

numbers and grain sites. Apply the T1 around

gs30 (mid-late March) where disease levels

warrant an application. Oak Park trials have

shown mixes to be better than straights so

consider Proline plus partner

(SDHI/morph/strob/CTL), Bontima, Ceriax etc.

Winter barley

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MARCH 2016

FertiliserAssess crops for green leaf index (GAI using a

smart phone app) and adjust your nitrogen

accordingly. For crops that are at GAI 1.0, apply

50kg/ha N (if not already done so) by early March

then apply the second split of 100kg/ha N at the

start of stem extension (mid-late March). A final

application of 60kg/ha N is needed at mid

flowering. Sulphur (35-40kg/ha S) should be

applied before/with the main split of nitrogen.

Boron (3-5 kg/ha Solubor etc) can be applied

with the fungicide sprays if required.

Fungicide/PGR: Watch for light leaf spot (LLS) from now on – put

leaves in a bag for 48 hours in warm conditions to

see spores more easily. Apply a fungicide (Proline

based) if LLS is present even at visibly low levels.

LLS does all its damage as the buds are rising

through the leaves so early sprays pay best.

Caramba/Sirena, Prosaro, Magnello or Folicur

have plant growth regulation properties and for

best effect can be applied when you see the green

buds peeping above the leaves. This timing can

give an economic (0.5t/ha) response in crops.

FertiliserApply P and K with the first nitrogen split

according to soil analysis. Apply 145kg/ha

nitrogen to crops in ‘old’ land. The first split

(50kg/ha N) should be applied in early-mid

March and the reminder before gs31. Watch

total nitrogen amount as high rates increase

lodging risk.

PGRGrowth regulator options include CCC 75% @

0.75L/ha plus adjuvant in late March followed

by CCC 1.0 L/ha +/- Moddus (0.2L/ha) at gs32.

Alternatively, Ceraide at 1.0 -1.4L/ha is a

popular option as the first PGR application

followed by CCC or Ceraide at gs32/33. Beware

of rate restrictions of the various CCC products.

The timing of the second PGR is critical for

shortening oats and has its best effect applied

during a period of growth.

FungicidesGenerally a three-spray fungicide program is

needed. Control mildew and crown rust early to

prevent them becoming established. Options for

mildew control include Corbel plus Talius/Flexity

or Tocata. Add a triazole or strob, e.g., Opus,

Amistar, Furlong etc. for rust control.

Winter oats

Winter oilseed rape

Apply P and K with the first N according to soil analysis.

Assess crops for green leaf index.

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For further information on any issues raised in this newsletter, or to access otherenterprise newsletters, please contact your local Teagasc adviser or see www.teagasc.ie. Pr

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TILLAGE

Fertilisers are a major input so plan each field to

make the most use of your spend. Can you

afford to blanket spread the same compound on

all fields? If you don’t have a current soil analysis,

then re-sample these fields immediately. Also,

where a section of a field is performing poorly,

sample this area, as a deficiency can be masked

within a whole field sample.

Organic manuresOne thousand gallons of pig slurry is equivalent

to a bag/ac of 19-7-20, so is a significant saving

if available and practical to spread.

To maximise the nutrient value of organic

fertilisers and reduce nitrogen (N) losses, it is

essential to consider the following:

n ensure that slurry is well agitated before

application;

n apply evenly and accurately at 2,000

gallons/ac;

n incorporate within four to six hours to

maximise N recovery; and,

n 2,000 gallons/ac of pig slurry can reduce

fertiliser cost by €50/ac.

Spring crops

Table 2. Seed rates for spring barley sown in good conditionsVariety Rel. yield Seed rate1 kg/ha Seed rate1 st/acFrontier 97 179 11.4

Irina 102 176 11.2

Mickle 101 176 11.2

Propino 99 185 11.8

Soldo 98 188 12.0

Sanette 101 178 11.3

Taberna 99 177 11.3

Paustian 99 176 11.21To establish 300 plants m2 @ 85% establishment (good conditions)

Based on DAFM Recommended Lists 2016

See www.agriculture.gov.ie for the full Rec. Lists 2016.

Table 1. Seed rates for spring wheat sown in good conditionsVariety Relative yield Septoria Mildew Seed rate Seed rate kg/ha+ stone/ac+

Sparrow 98 6 5 174 11.1RGT Doubleshot 102 6 5 154 9.8Quintus 105 6 8 180 11.5+Based on a target of 325 plants/m2 and 85% establishment

Based on DAFM Recommended Lists 2016

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