Foliar nitrogen has future role as fertiliser of choice - crops specialist
Foliar nitrogen is now increasingly recognised as an inherently precise fertiliser source for tillage crops, according to Teagasc tillage specialist, Shay Phelan.
This was one of the points discussed at a spring crops walk hosted by Teagasc on the Co. Louth farm of the McGuinness family.
Phelan specifically pointed to the future role for foliar nitrogen against a backdrop of reduced availability where the use of products, such as urea, is concerned.
Turning to winter barley, the Teagasc agronomist confirmed that crops are at a wide range of growth stages around the country at the present time.
Looking ahead he has advised keeping ramularia in check is the key management priority.
Phelan said: “The disease works its way up from the bottom of the crop. Repeated Teagsc trials have confirmed the importance of using a suitable fungicide on winter barley at the awns peopling stage: growth stages 45-49.”
“Unlike wheat, where the priority is to keep the crop canopy clean, winter barley crops have already built up their full yield potential at this stage.
“The challenge facing growers is that of maximising all of this capacity through to final harvest. Ramularia is a genuine yield robber if it becomes established within a barley crop.”
The tillage specialist went on to outline the potential damage ramularia could cause.
“Yield losses of up to 0.4t/has can result if the disease is allowed to get established. The cost of the fungicides required to deal with this issue will be more than accounted for by the yield increased secured.
“The application of the correct fungicide mix at the appropriate time to deal with ramularia will bring the crop through to final harvest, where disease control measures are concerned."
Teagasc trials have confirmed the relative effectiveness of Revystar XL and Macfare XPro in keeping ramularia at bay.
Meanwhile, the relative dry winter and early spring has served to keep diseases, such as rhynchosporium, at bay within barley crops.
However, the recent rains have served to enhance the disease threat confronting all cereal crops, in every sense, at the present time.
The tillage specialist confirmed that a two-spray fungicide programme will suffice where the management of most winter barley crops is concerned.
According to Phelan, a plant growth promoter can be applied to winter barley crops between growth stages 32-39.
Growers should note that straw from crops treated with Terpal cannot be used for mushroom production.
