Canopy^® Spring Cereal PGR programmes

Seasonal Update

This spring is different from last year and brings its own set of challenges. The wash out autumn, a very wet February stopping any early drilling, and now very dry conditions, with all crops, especially spring drilled ones, in need of a ‘drink’. It is worth remembering that the establishment period in spring 2019 was also very dry, but then the rain arrived in May and June. Regardless of current and previous challenges, a PGR programme should always consider what is to come, not what has already happened. You take out an insurance policy before you come up against problems, not after. Later drilled crops will also ‘catch-up’ quickly, which means faster growth during stem extension and weaker stems. A programmed PGR approach for all crops will give the best root development, stem strengthening as well as internode shortening.

Myth busting – are PGRs are too harsh on the crop?

We hear a lot about PGRs being too harsh on the crop, so dose rates are often reduced, or PGRs left out completely. To gain registration, the full label dose of a PGR is tested against untreated crop and the yields of the two must not be significantly different. In practice, commercial dose rates are normally much lower than the full label rates, so the fact the PGR treatment is shortening the crop as it is designed to do should not be interpreted as the PGR being harsh on the crop. By its very nature a PGR is intended to have an impact on crop growth, and knowledge of crop stress factors determine the correct dose rate to use.

Why Use Canopy^® in Spring Cereals?

Canopy^® can be used on spring barley and spring oat crops with flexibility in the application timing and dose rate to suit your crop and growing conditions. The benefits of prohexadione calcium and mepiquat chloride in Canopy^® can be seen on the foundation building elements of the plant; increased root plate spread, strengthening and thickening of the lower stem. All of which help to stabilise and anchor the plant in order to maximise root spread for water and nutrient up take and to help it resist lodging pressure later in the season. Tiller retention is critically important in barley crops as a key factor helping to build yield. Canopy^® will help to reduce the dominance of the main stem to help side tillers grow as long as nutrients and moisture are also available.

Spring Barley PGR Studies

The charts below show the results from ADAS studies in which the PGR treatments were applied at GS30. The resulting impact on the lower internodes and root biomass shows the benefit of using Canopy^®; the root biomass is greater leading to better root plate spread and plant anchorage, the diameter of the lower internodes is thicker, and the overall stem strength of the lower internodes is greater. These results back up the claim that Canopy^® increases the plant’s lower foundations and plant stability, helping it to resist lodging forces.

Brackling control in barley

The mechanics behind why crops brackle and which factors play a role is not clearly understood, but studies from Dr Pete Berry at ADAS have shown a clear relationship between the area of brackling and yield loss. Therefore, trying to reduce brackling to maintain yield is an important consideration.

Xemium^® based fungicides, not only provide excellent disease control but have also been shown to be valuable tools to keep the stem healthy and reduce brackling.

The best reduction in brackling will come from good season-long disease control coupled with the programmed use of PGRs. Late season applications of Terpal^® in spring barley are very effective at shortening the upper internodes to reduce crop height and limit brackling in barley. However, Canopy^® can tend to be ‘kinder’ on the crop at this late stage.

Canopy^® options in spring cereals

Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. If you have any queries or require further information, please contact your local BASF agronomy manager. Contact details can be found at www.agricentre.basf.co.uk . Or the BASF Technical Services Hotline: 0845 602 2553

Canopy^®, Terpal^®, 3C Chlormequat, and Xemium^® are registered trademarks of BASF. All other products are those of other manufacturers where proprietary rights may exist. Canopy^® contains prohexadione calcium and mepiquat chloride. Terpal^® contains mepiquat chloride and ethephon. 3C Chlormequat contains chlormequat chloride. Moddus contains trinexapac-ethyl.

Always read the label and product information before use. For further product information including warning phrases and symbols refer to www.agricentre.basf.co.uk.