The recent wet weather will have sparked considerable movement and infection of septoria in wheat crops. However, Steven Kildea of Teagasc says this is not a major concern as the leaves now present will die. He emphasised that it is the spread that takes place in April/May which sets crops up for epidemics and causes control concerns.

If the weather continues to produce big spurts of rain from now until May it is likely that two SDHIs will be required, Steven said. But all uses of SDHIs must involve protection from other chemistry families including the azoles. How best we can protect this very important family of chemistry will be a major focus of the Teagasc Septoria conference.

The conference will state that the increasing challenges of disease control arise from the evolution of fungi since we began to use fungicides.

On the wheat front, the conference will address the potential for genetic resistance and its potential for field and fungicide use.

The conference takes place in Dunboyne Castle next Wednesday 22 March.