Regional crown rot management – Spring Ridge 2014

Abstract

Key findings • This was a relatively high yielding site in 2014 but moderate background infection levels of crown rot complicated yield loss interpretations. • Under moderate background infection levels LRPB Lancer [PBR] was 1.06 t/ha, Suntop [PBR] was 1.08 t/ha and LRPB Spitfire [PBR] was 1.12 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory [PBR]. This represented up to a 27% difference in grain yield based on variety choice at this site in 2014. • Three varieties were higher yielding than EGA Gregory [PBR] under high infection levels (added CR) with the benefit being 0.38 t/ha in LRPB Gauntlet [PBR], 0.48 t/ha in LRPB Spitfire [PBR] and 0.75 t/ha in Suntop [PBR]. • In‑crop fungicide application at GS32, provide a yield benefit of between 0.27 to 0.52 t/ha in EGA Gregory [PBR] with all application treatments but was improved when targeted at the base of plants infected with crown rot.