12 Sep
Brassica Disease Risks and Their Prevention: A Guide for Farmers by Simon Jackson
I, Simon Jackson, Syngenta’s сrop protection specialist, inform that the heavy morning dews in the coming weeks can make your brassica crops vulnerable to diseases like ringspot and white blister. Despite the challenges during the dry planting season, our crops have shown strong resilience. Their leaves have grown well, but with the onset of these wet conditions, the threat of these diseases is growing.
How Ringspot Develops
From my observations, when you first spot the signs of ringspot on a plant, it’s a big clue that the plants nearby could be affected too. This usually gives us a tight window of about five to seven days from its first appearance to act. So, spraying a preventative fungicide quickly can help curb its spread. If ignored, these spots can spread quickly to neighbouring plants. A good practice is to use Amistar Top at the first hint of trouble, as it not only protects the healthy leaves but also supports the growth of the crop. Just so you know, if older leaves are infected, they might turn brown and fall off.
The White Blister Challenge
Now, white blister is a tricky one. It doesn’t need as much wetness as ringspot to cause trouble. I’ve seen several warnings about it this season. Amistar Top can be a trusty ally against it and other diseases like alternaria. Starting your prevention early in the season can help you keep your crops healthy till harvest. From my experience, Amistar Top is particularly good for sprouts and white cabbage crops around early autumn.
Current Market Situation
There’s some good news. Retailers are currently looking for more brassicas, especially with folks cooking more at home and the rise in demand for frozen products. This not only offers value but also helps in cutting down wastage for shoppers.
Broccoli’s Special Concern
Broccoli, especially for freezing, is in high demand. But, there’s an issue of systemic downy mildew which leaves a nasty black mark when broccoli florets are prepared for freezing. I always advise farmers to go for a two-spray strategy with Revus about five weeks after planting to tackle this. Many of our fellow farmers have mentioned that tackling downy mildew early can keep other problems at bay, like spear rot, ensuring our broccoli remains top-notch. A follow-up with Amistar plus SL567A can also help in keeping white blister in check.
White Blister Alert
A final word on white blister. Although it’s slow to start, given the number of brassicas we’ve planted and the current environment, it won’t be long before it becomes a major concern. Preparing with Amistar Top strategies early on can shield our crops.
Main Conclusions: The Farmer’s Manifesto
- Stay Vigilant: Morning dews can heighten the risk of diseases like ringspot and white blister.
- Act Fast on Ringspot: At the first signs, act swiftly. Use preventative fungicides within five to seven days to manage its spread.
- Tackle White Blister Early: Employ Amistar Top as a reliable defence mechanism.
- Boost for Brassica: Market demand is high. Maintain quality to leverage this.
- Special Care for Broccoli: Implement a two-spray strategy to combat systemic downy mildew.
- Preparedness: With white blister potentially on the rise, preparation and early prevention are key.
Stay informed, act promptly, and ensure a bountiful your harvest!
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