The importance of timing
It isn’t exaggerating to say timing is everything.
Applying the right fungicide at the right time is the key
factor for successful and profitable disease control.
So what is the right time?
Fungicide timing is driven by three factors:
-
Crop growth stage
- The time interval between fungicide applications
- Intensity of disease infection in your paddocks
Crop growth stage is important because with minor exceptions it indicates
which leaves are emerging. So at GS32 final leaf three is emerging and at
GS39 the flag leaf will be fully emerged.
Generally speaking when used at full rate, modern fungicides such as Aviator®
Xpro or Proline® will provide effective disease control for 25-28 days.
When disease pressure is intense, especially for Septoria leaf blotch, stripe rust
or scald, when entering spring, an early application to reduce disease pressure
can be the right approach.