Record-breaking rainfall in January and February has delayed spring work and resulted in some mixed winter barley crops, with rhynchosporium and active net blotch easily found.

Leading lecturer in crop science at University College Dublin (UCD) Dr Tom McCabe said: “In this period of uncertainty, the one thing that growers do have control over is their ability to try and grow good crops. In terms of managing both winter and spring barley crops, if you see the potential in them, then I think a good strategy is to maximise that potential.

“However, at the moment with costs skyrocketing and the grain price relatively flat, growers have to be pragmatic about how their crops are looking, as it may not be realistic to push every crop.

“It is important to keep in mind that in a challenging season, growers can really get punished if they are lacking crop protection and not just by a fraction of a tonne in yield.”

In order to help growers achieve the highest return from their investment in this challenging year, BASF has developed a Complete Barley Package concept, bringing together proven chemistry based on the three pillars of barley management:

  • Step 1: Build the potential with Navura® (mefentrifluconazole- (Revysol®)) + prothioconazole) + Comet® 200 (pyraclostrobin).
  • Step 2: Maximise the yield with Medax® Max (prohexadione + trinexapac-ethyl).
  • Step 3: Protect the yield with Balaya® (Revysol® + pyraclostrobin) + Imperis® XE (Xemium® – fluxapyroxad).

    • “Fungicides have historically been very cost effective, with generally a 10% to 15% yield response in barley from a programmed approach. All the mixtures in the BASF product portfolio are technically very strong products across all the important barley diseases and would be delivering close to the 15% return on investment,” says Dr McCabe.

    Step 1: Build the potential

    Navura® + Comet® 200 at T1.

    Primary disease control is key to early tiller retention, crucial to barley crops fulfilling their yield potential.

    David Leahy of BASF says: “Applying Navura + Comet 200 at T1 sets the barley crop up to deliver, with reliable, robust and proven disease control of rhynchosporium, net blotch, brown rust and mildew, fundamental to maintaining yield potential. The inclusion of Revysol as a T1 solution offers growers a headstart when it comes to managing ramularia.”

    Navura® has a unique formulation which optimises the complementary activity from Revysol® and prothioconazole.

    David says: “Navura is not the same as a tank mix of Revysol + prothiconazole. In terms of performance, it is fundamentally different. Revysol interacts with prothioconazole, allowing the prothioconazole to become more active on key diseases."

    The Navura® formulation delivers:

  • Quicker activation of prothioconazole within the plant resulting in enhanced disease activity.
  • Better protection from ai wash-off.
  • Better protection from UV degradation.

    • David adds: “This is all supported by F500® in the form of Comet 200, which as well as being the key active ingredient for the control of net blotch, also delivers proven physiological benefits, reducing plant stress."

    Step 2: Maximise the yield

    Medax® Max

    David adds: “Medax Max is now a leading growth regulator used among Irish growers. Not only is Medax Max proven as a reliable PGR, through reducing plant height, increasing plant rooting and supressing apical dominance, it also offers growers a flexible approach to PGR applications, through a broad and safe product label."

  • Kind and safe on the crop - through not stressing the crop, this in turn can help in reducing ramularia pressure.
  • Wide application window - from growth stage 29 (end of tillering) to growth stage 49 (first awns visible).
  • Increases the root plate spread for better anchorage and water/nutrient uptake.
  • Reducing apical dominance - creating a more even crop, while ensuring uniform leaf emergence.
  • Rain-fast within an hour.
  • Effective over a wide temperature range (5C to 25C).

    • Step 3: Protect the yield

    Balaya® + Imperis® XE

    “Final barley fungicides are all about bringing that crop and its yield home,” says David.

    “Balaya + Imperis XE contains three of the most effective active ingredients to deliver reliable disease control in barley.”

  • Revysol® is the most effective fungicide available for the control of ramularia. Control of this key barley disease is vital for maximising barley yields at this key T2 timing.
  • Xemium® is the number one active ingredient on rhynchosporium and maintaining straw quality.
  • F500® is the principle strob for the control of net blotch, reducing plant stress with proven physiological characteristics.

    • Dr McCabe says: “Even at this stage of the season, 70% of the crop spend on winter barley has been made and often growers become a bit scared, as they feel they should spend as little as possible or stop spending altogether and hope for the best. This is where it becomes very risky.

    “Growers have to be realistic about the challenges they face - growing varieties that have a moderate susceptibility to disease or are only moderately resistant and have high genetic potential. Add to this unpredictable weather patterns and the only insurance tool is a good crop protection programme.”

    Disclaimer

    Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further product information including warning phrases and symbols, refer to www.agricentre.basf.ie.

    Navura® contains mefentrifluconazole (Revysol®) + prothioconazole. Medax® Max contains prohexadione + trinexapac- ethyl. Balaya® contains mefentrifluconazole + pyraclostrobin. Imperis® XE contains fluxapyroxad (Xemium®). Navura®, Revysol® Medax® Max, Balaya®, Imperis® XE and Xemium® are registered Trademarks of BASF® BASF 2026. All rights reserved.