T2 PGRs in winter cereals

A reminder of last season

In 2019 we had a dry period at T0 /T1 where people cut back on PGR rates thinking high PGR use would be too stressful on the crop. When heavy rainfall did come later in the season poor anchorage meant a lot of crops lodged. We have gone past the point where we can influence the anchorage strength of the winter crops in 2020. What we can do now to prevent lodging is to shorten the upper internode stem length to help reduce the leverage strength on the plant base.

Seasonal Update

Prolonged dry period through end of March and April has meant some crops received low input PGR programmes to date, but what the weather holds between now and harvest is unknown. Remember last season!
Crops may well have a shallow root profile as the roots did not have to ‘forage’ for water or nutrients during the wet autumn and February. This can lead to poor anchorage strength and a higher risk of root lodging if we get heavy rain later in the season.
Where ‘light’ programmes went on at T0/T1 due to the dry weather, recent rain has encouraged rapid crop growth which needs tempering so that crops do not get too tall.
Where T0s were not applied in perceived lower disease pressure scenarios, there will have been little or no opportunity to split PGR applications – we are now playing catch up to ensure stem shortening and strengthening can be optimised.
Medax^® Max can be relied upon to work in the current varying weather conditions.

Medax^® Max recommendations

Use at T2 in winter wheat, winter barley, winter oats* and winter rye:

Terpal^® at T2

Terpal is an alternative PGR at T2, especially in barley crops where the combination of mepiquat-chloride and 2-chloroethylphosphonic-acid provide the best option against brackling and evening-up the height of the main and side tillers.

Medax^® Max at T2

Shortens and strengthens the upper internodes, reducing brackling, reduces stem leverage ·
Thickens the main stem, increasing resistance to stem lodging ·
Two synergistic active ingredients, providing both immediate and long-lasting activity across a range of temperatures

Medax^® Max – Highly flexibility in use

Wide application window, even late in the season when growth stage cut offs can be an issue
Use on all winter and spring cereals
Does not contain or require chlormequat or Mepiquat - a ‘quat-free’ solution ·
Is compatible in a wide range of tank mixes

Medax^® Max – Crops, rates and timings:

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

Medax^® Max contains prohexadione calcium and trinexapac ethyl. Terpal^® contains mepiquat chloride and 2-chlorethylphosphonic acid.

Medax^® Max and Terpal^® are registered trademarks of BASF. All other products are those of other manufacturers where proprietary rights may exist. 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.