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In this issue:
- High dormancy levels in black-grass seed samples this autumn
- Events
- HGCA R&D Conference 2009
- HGCA Grain Market Outlook Conference 2009
- New final project reports
- PR454 BulkDryRape - Interactive computer-based tool for oilseed rape drying
- PR455 Appropriate fungicide doses on winter barley: Producing dose-response data for a decision guide
- PR457 Understanding ergot risk in spring barley
High dormancy levels in black-grass seed samples this autumn
Results from HGCA-funded research (Project 3336), carried out by ADAS, have shown that dormancy in black-grass seed samples this autumn is high. Based on 37 geographical samples from 2009 the actual mean figure was 23% germination. This compares with the results for about 20 samples tested in each of the years 2001 to 2005 as part of a LINK project (LK 0923) and from tests in 2006 to 2008 funded by HGCA.
For further information see the news item on the HGCA website:
http://www.hgca.com/content.output/4098/4098/News/News/High%20dormancy%20levels%20in%20black-grass%20seed%20samples%20this%20autumn%20.mspx
Events
HGCA R&D Conference 2009
'Precision in arable farming - current practice and future potential'
28 and 29 October, Belton Woods, Nr Grantham
This two day conference has been designed to stimulate thought about precision farming and how it will affect growers' cropping and agronomy decisions both at present and in the future. Day 1 covers, 'Improving crop productivity through addressing in-field variation' and 'Variable rate assessments of canopy and soil, both real-time and historic' with an after dinner debate/discussion on 'Precision farming: which wins - wildlife or wallet?'. Day 2 covers, 'Technology update: machine control and automation' and 'Future prospects for precision technologies'.
The registration form and event flyer are now available on our website and will soon be posted to levy payers.
Link: http://www.hgca.com/event.aspx?eventId=2213
HGCA Grain Market Outlook Conference 2009
'Responding to future challenges'
6 October 2009, Congress Centre London
This year's Market Outlook Conference will look at the global market outlook for the 2009/10 campaign and will look at the impact of the global recession on agriculture, developments in the Black Sea region, food security, the prospects for input costs and UK Arable Farming in 2020. To register, visit www.hgca.com/events or call 0247 647 8726.
New final project reports
PR454 BulkDryRape - Interactive computer-based tool for oilseed rape drying
(See below for abstract or click on link for full report)
Full scale tests were undertaken in the grain store at the Food and Environment Research Agency to provide data for validation of BulkDryRape, an interactive computer-based tool for oilseed rape drying.
Link: http://www.hgca.com/publink.aspx?id=6604
PR455 Appropriate fungicide doses on winter barley: Producing dose-response data for a decision guide
(See below for abstract or click on link for full report)
The aim of the research was to provide an independent source of information about the activity of current and newly introduced fungicides. The diseases investigated were rhynchosporium, brown rust, powdery mildew, net blotch and ramularia.
Link: http://www.hgca.com/publink.aspx?id=6606
PR457 Understanding ergot risk in spring barley
(See below for abstract or click on link for full report)
The cereal disease commonly known as ergot is caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. This study comprises two field trials using spring barley varieties on the HGCA Recommended List.
Link: http://www.hgca.com/publink.aspx?id=6607
Abstracts
PR454 BulkDryRape - Interactive computer-based tool for oilseed rape drying by T Wontner-Smith and Louisa Kitchingman of Fera, David Bruce and Kerry Pearn of David Bruce Consulting Ltd, David Parsons of Natural Resources Management Institute and David Armitage, Independent Consultant.
HGCA Project No. 3432. Price £6.00
Full scale tests were undertaken in the grain store at the Food and Environment Research Agency to provide data for validation of BulkDryRape, an interactive computer-based tool for oilseed rape drying. This data was compared with a more flexible simulation using the same mathematical calculations as BulkDryRape.
Bins 3 to 6 were each loaded with approximately 15 t of oilseed rape (OSR). Each bin was fitted with a 5.5 kW fan, which was used to dry the OSR at an average flow of 112 m3/h/t. Bins 5 and 6 had average initial moisture contents of 12.9% and 13.3% respectively and were dried successfully using continuous ventilation over 21 days. Bins 3 and 4 had average initial moisture contents of 12.0% and 11.7% respectively and were dried intermittently over 37 days so that mould was visible before drying was complete. Samples were taken at least twice weekly for assessment of moisture content, the presence of mites and moulds.
Mould was visible by microscope in all samples taken 31 days after harvest from the surface and at depth 0.5 m from bins 3 and 4. No mould was visible in the previous sample set taken two days earlier. No mould was observed in any of the samples from bins 5 and 6 and no mites were observed in any of the samples from any of the bins. The time taken for the appearance of visible mould was in line with results from the literature based on small scale tests on OSR.
Table 1 shows the storage and field mould counts for samples taken immediately after loading the bins and after the drying front had reached the surface of the OSR.
Table 1. Storage and field moulds present at the start and end of drying
Bin | Time taken for drying front to reach the surface (days) | Field moulds and yeasts present at the start | Field moulds and yeasts present at the end | Storage moulds present at the start | Storage moulds present at the end |
3 | 37 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 1.52 | 5.59 |
4 | 37 | 4.79 | 4.68 | 2.00 | 5.09 |
5 | 21 | 5.51 | 4.89 | 2.85 | 4.66 |
6 | 21 | 5.21 | 5.01 | 2.73 | 4.63 |
Overall, the measured drying behaviour and risk of spoilage were well predicted in both continuous and intermittent drying, giving confidence in the BulkDryRape software.
PR455 Appropriate fungicide doses on winter barley: Producing dose-response data for a decision guide by SJP Oxley of SAC and EA Hunter of Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland
HGCA Project No. 3027. Price £8.50
The aim of the research was to provide an independent source of information about the activity of current and newly introduced fungicides. The diseases investigated were rhynchosporium, brown rust, powdery mildew, net blotch and ramularia. Protectant and eradicant properties were measured in field trials carried out throughout the UK and Eire under high disease pressure conditions. The efficacy of fungicides does not remain static, and the results on disease control from this research can be used alongside other evidence to highlight situations where the efficacy of disease control may be changing in the field. It was important to ensure growers received the most up to date information about the activity of fungicides, so the research aimed to deliver the results to growers annually at HGCA Disease Roadshows.
The project has shown that the fungicides Proline, Fandango and Tracker provide the core components to manage barley diseases and achieve optimum. Two new experimental fungicides are potentially a major step forward in the control of net blotch and brown rust and also provide an alternative option to control ramularia leaf spot. Yield responses are similar to the most effective fungicides currently available. For powdery mildew control, Flexity, Torch extra and Cyflamid continue to show effective control, but Talius has not performed as well.
Getting the results out to the HGCA members quickly meant the procedures in assessing trials, collecting data, analysis and dissemination were all focussed on achieving this aim. This research collected four years' data. A previous project collected three years' data. Together these data provide a useful foundation for future research, providing good field efficacy information on the seasonal and long term changes in fungicide performance as well as a baseline to compare new fungicides.
Results were reported in a Scottish Government funded Technical Note entitled 'Barley Disease Control'. This note placed the appropriate dose data in a practical context of managing barley diseases. More effective ways of getting the information across to growers were developed as part of a Fungicide Performance Dose Curve Generator. Therefore a web-based tool allows growers to compare dose curves generated from seven years' study of different fungicides.
PR457 Understanding ergot risk in spring barley by S.J.P. Oxley, N.D. Havis and S.P. Hoad of SAC
HGCA Project No. 2992. Price £6.00
The cereal disease commonly known as ergot is caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. This study comprises two field trials using spring barley varieties on the HGCA Recommended List. Ergot symptoms which developed through natural infection were assessed. Plots which were inoculated with the fungal pathogen were also assessed for disease symptoms. The results based on the 2007 season provide information on the potential genetic susceptibility of spring barley varieties to the disease. Cereals most susceptible to ergot are those with an open flowering habit which flower over a long period of time (i.e. rye). Open flowering enables the fungal spores to infect the grain sites leading to the development of ergots. Assessments of the flowering habit of the spring barley varieties were undertaken over two seasons. Differences in the flowering habit and the duration of flowering were observed. Most varieties flowered for a short duration of up to 6 days. A risk assessment was developed on the basis of the genetic resistance to ergot determined through the inoculations and on the flowering type and habit. On this basis, the assessment confirmed the susceptibility of the varieties Decanter and Maresi which both have an open flowering habit and are genetic susceptible to ergot. Varieties which showed no infection after inoculation which have a closed flowering habit were defined as being low risk. The variety Appaloosa is an example of this type of variety.
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