Effect of fungicide treatment on yield of winter wheat and spring barley cultivars

Analyses of the results of 21 winter wheat and 32 spring barley trials showed that cultivars differed significantly in their yield response to a standard fungicide treatment. Responses were also strongly influenced by differences between sites and between years. Regression analyses showed that responses were significantly related to reductions in foliar disease, particularly that of mildew, although the proportion of variance accounted for was small. Measurements made on seven winter wheat trials indicated that the percentage of leaf area remaining green after anthesis was increased by the fungicide treatment to a greater extent than could be attributed to reduction in foliar disease alone. In one of these trials, yield response was more closely correlated with the increase in leaf area remaining green than with reduction in foliar disease.     

Fungicide Treatment Increases Yield of Cereal Cultivars by Reducing Disease and Delaying Senescence1

The results of 21 winter wheat and 32 spring barley trials done in the United Kingdom showed that cultivars differed significantly in their yield response to a standard fungicide treatment. Regression analyses showed that yield responses were significantly related to disease reduction, particularly that of mildew, although the proportion of variance accounted for was small. Measurements made on seven winter wheat trials indicated that the percentage of leaf area remaining green after anthesis was increased by the fungicide treatment to a greater extent than could be attributed to disease reduction alone. In some of these trials, yield responses were more closely correlated with the increase in leaf area remaining green than with disease reduction.     

DIRECT-DRILLING OF CEREALS AFTER USE OF PARAQUAT

Summary. Cereal crops were grown at Jealott's Hill in 1962 and 1963 without cultivations, following the use, before drilling, of paraquat to kill unwanted vegetation. This investigation was extended with a series of trials at outside centres. Three trials with winter wheat were drilled in the autumn of 1963, two into pasture and one into stubble. Three barley trials were drilled into stubble in spring 1964.
All the autumn trials and one spring trial compared direct-drilling with normal cultivations at two levels of nitrogen. The other two spring trials compared rates and times of application of paraquat without any plough comparison.
Individual trials showed significant yield differences between direct-drilling and ploughing, but there was no consistent advantage in favour of either technique.
Spraying in advance of drilling generally resulted in similar yields to spraying and drilling on the same day. Winter wheat drilled into pastures showed some retardation of spring growth when spraying and drilling had been carried out on the same day.
When averaged over times of application, yields after spraying paraquat at 2 lb/ac were significantly higher than after 1 lb/ac.
In the trials where two levels of nitrogen were included crops responded to an increase from 60 to 120 units nitrogen/ac as top dressing for winter wheat and from 60 to 90 units nitrogen/ac combine-drilled for spring barley; the response was not always significant.
Semis direct de céréales après application de paraquat     

COMPARISION OF RATES OF PARAQUAT PRIOR TO DIRECT-DRILLING CEREALS

Summary. Trials were conducted in East Anglia to compare direct-drilling following paraquat at 1 and 2 lb/ac with normal cultivations for both winter wheat and spring barley. The three treatments were compared at two levels of nitrogen.
With direct-drilled winter wheat, yields were higher after using paraquat at 2 lb/ac and at this rate there was little difference between direct-drilling and normal cultivations when 100 units of nitrogen were applied in spring. When only 50 units were given the results were more variable, with direct-drilling significantly outyielding normal cultivations in one trial, being outyielded in another and showing no difference in the third.
Yields of spring barley were slightly higher after paraquat at 2 lb/ac as compared with 1 lb/ac, but not significantly so. The time of application of paraquat influenced yield; when applied in December yields from direct-drilling and normal cultivations were similar, but when applied in February higher yields were recorded with normal cultivations.
Comparaison des doses de paraquat a utiliser avant un semis direct de dreales     

Benzimidazole resistance in Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides: results of ADAS random surveys and fungicide trials in England and Wales, 1982–19841

Surveys of 59 and 528 randomly selected winter wheat and winter barley crops in 1982 and 1983 respectively, showed that benzimidazole-resistant strains of the eyespot fungus (Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides) were common and widespread. The frequency of occurrence of resistant isolates, both in 1982 and 1983. was positively correlated with the number of benzimidazole fungicide applications since 1975. Resistance was much more frequent in R-type than in W-type strains of P. herpotrichoides. Fungicides or fungicide mixtures, applied to winter wheat at growth stage (GS) 31, were compared for control of eyespot at six sites in 1983 and one in 1984 where benzimidazole-resistant strains were readily detected prior to spraying. Carbendazim alone gave no control of eyespot and in some trials actually increased disease levels compared with the unsprayed control. Prochloraz, either alone or in mixture with carbendazim, was the most effective fungicide giving a moderate control of eyespot (33–42% reduction) and cost-effective yield increases. DPX-II6573, tested only in the 1984 trial, was as effective as prochloraz. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.     

Population Dynamics and Control of Heterodera avenae -A Review with some Original Results1

Control of Heterodera avenae should largely aim to keep densities below tolerance limits at sowing-time (in spring oats < 1 egg/g soil, in susceptible barley < 3 eggs/g soil; spring wheat is only slightly less sensitive than oats, autumn-sown cereals are more tolerant than spring-sown ones). To obtain this, knowledge of population dynamics is important. Essential items in population dynamics are the host properties of different plants (characterized by two factors which do not always covary: maximum rate of multiplication and equilibrium density of the nematode), population decline of the nematode under fallow and non-hosts and the external factors influencing these characteristics. For cereals the following host efficiency order is found: winter oats (best), spring oats, spring wheat, spring barley, winter wheat, rye. Winter barley may be close to spring barley, and maize is a bad host. Grasses are generally less good hosts than cereals and usually cause high and moderate densities of H. avenae to decline. However, especially in first-year leys, rather high equilibrium densities may sometimes be maintained. Host properties of plants vary between sites and years and also relations between hosts may change. Populations decline under fallow, non-hosts and resistant cereals, usually in the order of 70–85 96 annually. H. avenae populations are favoured by lighter soils and heavier soils with a proper structure and also by good plant nutrient conditions. Soil moisture in interaction with temperature influences population dynamics in a complex way, in which natural enemies of the nematodes may also be involved, not least certain fungi. In many fields these may keep nematode populations at harmless levels. Traditional control measures like proper crop rotations can only be used to a limited extent. The most promising approach for controlling H. avenae is an appropriate use of resistant cultivars, of which barley cultivars are also tolerant, while oat cultivars are usually very sensitive. Biological control has hitherto not been used actively. Chemical control is profitable in Australia but not under European conditions. Farmers should check the need for control through soil sample investigations or by other means.     

Anwendung von Isoproturon, allein und in Kombination mitanderen Wirkstoffen, im Nachauflauf–Winter (NA–W) und Nachauflauf–Frühjahr (NA–F) zu Winterweizen und Wintergerste

Use of isoproturon, alone and in combination with other compounds, post–emergence in winter and spring, on winter wheat and winter barley. II. Side effects on dehydrogenase activity, nitrogen transformation and straw decomposition in the soil The effect of isoproturon, alone and combined with dinoseb acetate and bifenox, on dehydrogenase activity, nitrogen transformations and straw decomposition following post–emergence application in winter and spring to winter wheat and winter barley was studied over two years at two sites. Isoproturon caused limited transient stimulation and inhibition of dehydrogenase activity, maximum 40%, and nitrogen turnover, 70–90%. Dinoseb acetate reduced general metabolic activity by up to 30%. Ammonium and nitrite concentrations were at times more than 100% higher than control values. In the laboratory, with temperature, soil moisture and sampling times similar25 to those in the field, isoproturon caused reductions in dehydrogenase activity in only a few cases but dinoseb acetate reduced the activity by up to 50%. The herbicide effects were clearer in a sandy than in a clay soil. The effect of time of application on the response of soil microbial activity to herbicides was evident only in the field.     

Fungicide and nitrogen applications in relation to the improvement of disease control and yield in winter barley

In crops of winter barley, cvs Igri and Halcyon, crop structure and intensity of foliar diseases were altered by delaying the main top dressing of nitrogen until mid-April. A single application of fungicide then was sufficient to decrease substantially the severity of fungal disease and improve grain yield at harvest.
Disease control and yield responses were greatest when fungicides were applied during a 3-week period after the main nitrogen application in April. No additional yield benefits were obtained by making two fungicide applications at growth stage (GS) 31 and GS 39.     

The reduction of chemical control of leek rust,a simulation study

A model is presented which simulates chemical control against leek rust under a system of supervised control. The spread of disease between fields in one farm and the influx of spores from outside is part of the model. The possible reduction in fungicide sprays against leek rust following various preventive measures is estimated with this model. Results from this preliminary model suggest that supervised control of leek rust will result only in a considerable reduction in the number of fungicide sprays if the leek fields are sufficiently isolated and the planting material is initially disease free. Where isolation between the fields is not feasible, overlap between successive crops should be avoided. Without the use of these preventive measures, there is little prospect for supervised control and the grower will have no option but the heavy use of fungicides.     

Yield Trends during Take-all Decline in Spring Barley and Wheat Grown Continuously1

The effects of take-all, nitrogen and cropping sequence on grain yield were compared for spring barley and spring wheat grown in extended monoculture. Initial crops showed least take-all and maximum yields. Yields fell to a minimum more rapidly in wheat than in barley while the take-all intensity increased to a maximum; take-all decline occurred and yields improved from the 4th and 5th years respectively. Without nitrogen, yields were at their lowest level; application of nitrogen increased yields considerably with responses in proportion to the rate applied. At optimum rates, yield losses were 33% for wheat and 11% for barley with maximum disease intensity but only 9% and 3% respectively with take-all decline. Potential maximum yields in the absence of take-all were calculated to be greater with barley than with wheat.     

Growth of seedlings of Agropyron repens L. Beauv. and Agrostis gigantea Roth. in wheat and barley: effect of time of emergence, nitrogen supply and cereal seed rate

As part of a programme of work evaluating the role of seeds in regenerating or initiating infestations of Agropyron repens and Agrostis gigantea, the growth of the weeds was analysed in cereal crops in two experiments. The first experiment investigated the effects of time of planting the weed seedlings (simulating different times of emergence), nitrogen supply and cereal seed rate in winter wheat and the second, the same factors in spring wheat and spring barley. In winter wheat, delaying planting of the weeds from autumn until spring greatly decreased shoot growth and almost completely prevented rhizome formation. Nitrogen fertilizer increased the weight of shoots of both species planted at both times but whereas it increased the amount of rhizome produced by Agropyron it decreased that of Agrostis. Without nitrogen Agrostis had twice as much rhizome as Agropyron but with nitrogen Agropyron had twice as much as Agrostis. Decreasing the cereal seed rate had little effect on rhizome weight when nitrogen was not given but it allowed twice as much rhizome to be produced when it was supplied. However, more longer rhizomes were formed at the smaller than at the larger seed rate with both amounts of nitrogen. In spring cereals, late planting decreased the shoot growth of Agrostis more than that of Agropyron, and of Agropyron in barley more than in wheat, especially at the smaller seed rate. Nitrogen increased shoot weight of Agropyron in wheat but had little effect in barley; it decreased that of Agrostis in barley. On average, rhizome growth was decreased by nitrogen, by increasing the seed rate and by delaying planting. Agropyron rhizomes were heavier in wheat than in barley but those of Agrostis were heavier in barley than in wheat. Agropyron produced most rhizome in thinlysown wheat given nitrogen, but Agrostis most in thinlysown barley without nitrogen. The two treatments had an equal number of rhizomes longer than 100 cm. The agricultural significance of the interaction of the various treatments is briefly discussed.     

Influence of intra-row cruciferous surrogate weed growth on crop yield in organic spring cereals

In Northern Europe, inter-row hoeing has become a popular tactic for controlling weeds in organic cereals. Hoeing is highly effective and can be implemented from crop emergence until stem elongation to maintain a nearly weed-free inter-row zone. However, hoeing has a lesser effect on weeds growing in the intra-row zone, where crop–weed proximity results in heightened competition. In the hoed cereal system, it is investigated whether tall-growing, competitive, cruciferous weeds in the intra-row zone affect crop biomass, yield and thousand kernel weight (TKW). An additive experimental design is employed to enable the fitting of rectangular hyperbolas, describing and quantifying the effects of increasing intra-row surrogate weed density on crop growth parameters. Regressions were studied under the influence of crop (spring barley and spring wheat), row spacing (narrow [12.5 or 15.0 cm] and wide [25.0 cm]) and nitrogen rate (50 and 100 kg NH₄-N/ha). Cruciferous surrogate weeds were found to impact crop yield and quality severely. For example, ten intra-row plants/m² of surrogate weed Sinapis alba reduced grains yields by 7%–14% in spring barley and by 7%–32% in spring wheat with yield losses becoming markedly greater in wheat compared to barley as weed density increases. Compared to wheat, barley limited yield and quality losses and suppressed intra-row weed growth more. Row spacing did not have a consistent effect on crop or weed parameters; in one of six experiments, the 25 cm row spacing reduced yields and increased intra-row weed biomass in wheat. Nitrogen rate did not affect crop or weed parameters. Results warrant the implementation of additional tactics to control intra-row weeds and limit crop losses.     

Managing apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) using Adem™

Current control of scab and mildew of apple in the UK requires the routine application of fungicides at 7 - 14-day intervals to achieve the blemish-free fruit required by the market. Such practices are generally effective, but with increased public concern about pesticides and rising costs to the grower, they are now less acceptable. The use of disease-warning systems offers scope for optimizing fungicide use by better timing of sprays. Adem^? is a PC-based system that warns of the risk of scab, mildew, Nectria fruit rot and canker and fireblight. In a 'key stage' strategy, warnings by Adem^? for scab and mildew integrated with practical pest and disease control resulted in similar or better control than a routine programme, with the additional benefit of reduced fungicide inputs and costs even in seasons exceptionally favourable for these diseases. Maximum savings in fungicide use were made by applying sprays curatively in response to scab warnings. However, this approach resulted in increased disease incidence to the crop and scab infection of fruit even in seasons unfavourable for scab attack.     

Relationship between leaf emergence and optimum spray timing for leaf blotch (Rhynchosporium secalis) control on winter barley

For wheat, the optimum time to apply fungicide to control disease on a given leaf layer is usually at, or shortly after, full leaf emergence. Data from field experiments on barley were used to investigate whether the same relationship was applicable to control of leaf blotch on barley. Replicated plots of winter barley were sown in the autumns of 1991, 1992 and 1993 at sites in southwest England with high risk of Rhynchosporium secalis infection. Single fungicide treatments at four doses (0·25, 0·5, 0·75 or 1·0 times the label rate) were applied at one of eight different spray times, starting in mid-March in each year, with intervals of 10–11 days between spray timings. Disease was assessed every 10–11 days and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values were used to construct fungicide dose by spray time response surfaces for each of the upper four leaves, for each year. Spray timings shortly before leaf emergence were found to minimize the AUDPC for each year and leaf layer, and also the effective dose (the dose required to achieve a specified level of control), similar to wheat. Fungicide treatments on barley were effective for a longer period before leaf emergence than afterwards, probably because treatments before emergence of the target leaf reduced inoculum production on leaves below. This partly explains why fungicides tend to be applied earlier in the growth of barley compared with wheat.     

Unexpected Effects of Fungicides on Cereal Yields1

Field experiments with barley have generally shown a good relationship between disease and yield. However, in some experiments the yield response is greater than would be expected from the level of disease. In contrast, other trials have shown a reduction of yield following applications of tridemorph to spring barley. On winter wheat, trials in Germany have shown a poor relationship between disease incidence and yield following application of carbendazim or captafol at GS 30–31. About 10 96 of these responses were negative, although there was an average yield increase of 2–3 %. Similarly, in a series of trials in Britain an average yield increase of 3 % was not related to disease level. In these trials about 25 % of results showed no increase in yield. The carbendazim fungicides, and also certain others, have some cytokinin-like activity and it is possible that this is related to extended green leaf survival. Other interactions with host-cell chemistry can be envisaged. Fungicides also influence stability of the leaf microflora. By this effect they may favour diseases such as Typhula and Rhizoclonia, or else suppress secondary pathogens (Alternaria, Cladosporium) at the end of the season.     

Influence of site factors on yield response of winter wheat to fungicide programmes in England and Wales, 1979–1987

Results of 460 field experiments between 1979 and 1987 incorporating one, two and three fungicide sprays, with a range of active ingredients, were analysed according to site factors including previous crop, sowing date and geographical area. The average untreated yield was 7–48 t/ha, although this fluctuated widely from 6 15 t/ha in 1985 to 9 411 ha in 1984. A single spray at flag-leaf emergence gave an average yield increment of 0 59 t/ha over plots receiving no fungicide. The addition of a second spray at the first-node growth stage gave an extra benefit of 0.22 t/ha, while an additional third spray at ear emergence gave a further 0.28t/ha. The effects on yield of different spray timings were modified by other factors, of which sowing date and previous crop were most important to the first-node spray, and cultivar and geographical area to the ear emergence spray. The data suggest that all crops would benefit economically from a broad-spectrum fungicide applied at flag-leaf emergence. Additionally, crops sown in September, those following winter wheat and those in regions bordering the North Sea respond well at the first-node stage to a fungicide active against eyespot.     

西北黄土区主要作物茬口对土壤理化性质和冬油菜农艺性状的影响

为了探讨不同茬口对土壤肥力及后茬油菜产量的影响,以休闲田为对照,研究了西北黄土区冬油菜、马铃薯、玉米、冬小麦、春小麦、蚕豆等6种主要农作物茬口土壤耕作层肥力效应及其对后茬白菜型冬油菜产量和农艺性状的影响,结果表明：（1）不同作物茬口土壤养分含量总体表现为越冬作物>休闲田>春播作物,除固氮作物蚕豆茬口碱解氮含量较高外,冬油菜茬口土壤营养各项指标、土壤微生物种群结构及土壤物理性状均显著优于其它作物茬口,其有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾含量分别比休闲田增加32.6%、12.1%,5.9%、7.2%、11.6%、99.8%、44.2%,其次为蚕豆、冬小麦茬口和休闲田,玉米和春小麦茬口肥力状况较差;与休闲田相比,冬油菜、冬小麦和蚕豆茬口耕层（0~20 cm）土壤容重分别降低10.14%、5.80%和5.80%,而冬油菜茬口土壤总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度和田间持水量分别提高7.33%、4.12%和5.65%,马铃薯、玉米、春小麦茬口均有不同程度下降,冬小麦与蚕豆茬口无明显差异;（2）前茬对白菜型冬油菜农艺性状的影响主要表现在株高、根量、全株角果数、角果粒数及千粒重等指标,其中蚕豆茬口白菜型冬油菜比休闲田增产4.50%,冬小麦茬口与休闲田相当,而马铃薯、玉米、春小麦、冬油菜茬口分别较休闲田减产11.05%、15.04%、16.27%、21.14%。白菜型冬油菜的最佳前茬是豆类作物,休闲田和冬小麦茬口次之,但白菜型冬油菜连作可能会产生自毒作用或病害加重,从而造成显著减产。     

Biological effects of combining carboxin,organomercury fungicides and insecticides as seed dressings for wheat,and the effect of these combinations on adherence of the pesticides to the seed

When seeds of winter wheat were carefully dressed in the laboratory with combinations of fungicides (organomercury alone or organomercury plus the systemic fungicide carboxin) and insecticides (aldrin, carbophenothion or chlorfenvinphos as liquid formulations, or a γ-BHC powder formulation) so as to ensure that nearly all the recommended amounts of the active ingredients stuck to them, the insecticides gave good insect control, but γ-BHC with organomercury fungicide decreased the number of plants that germinated, and γ-BHC with carboxin and organomercury was even more damaging. Commercially dressed seeds had only about 30 to 60% of the target dose of fungicides, but more than 80% of the target doses of the liquid insecticides aldrin, carbophenothion and chlorfenvinphos. With combinations of powder fungicide and liquid insecticide, greater amounts of pesticide on the seed were obtained if the insecticide was put on first. Because of unusually late sowings and little fungal infestation, neither laboratory nor commercially treated seeds provided good tests for control of smut.     

Continuous Cereal Growing in Denmark; Experimental Results1

In Denmark, results from 3 long-term trials showed that yields from barley monoculture were satisfactory on clay soil provided that sufficient nitrogen was supplied. Root diseases, in particular take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) Arx et Olivier), often stabilized at a rather low level after a period of decline. Mono-culture of winter wheat gave poor yields compared with barley monoculture. Break crops of white mustard and oats in barley monoculture had a beneficial effect, especially on sandy soil.     

Anwendung von Isoproturon, allein und in Kombination mit anderen Wirkstoffen, im Nachauflauf-Winter (NA-W) und Nachauflauf-Frühjahr (NA-F) zu Winterweizen und Wintergerste

Use of isoproturon, alone and in combination with other compounds, post-emergence in winter and spring on winter wheat and winter barley Isoproturon, alone and combined with dinoseb acetate and bifenox, was applied post-emergence in winter and spring to winter barley and winter wheat. The experiment was on two sites (sandy and clay soils) and lasted for two years. Although after winter application the initial herbicide level in the soil was higher than after spring treatment, there were no differences at the end of the growing season. The DT₅₀ (time to 50% disappearance) value for isoproturon was between 12 and 33 days in both years for both soils and the DT₉₀ value varied from 34 to 68 days. Soil residues of isoproturon were not affected by the presence of the other compounds. Winter application gave better weed control and higher crop yields.