Drilling early?

With the problems that growers have encountered with cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) since the ban of neonicotinoid seed treatments there has recently been a preference for some growers to try and get their crop in the ground at the earliest opportunity to give it the best chance of growing away from adult beetle feeding. Whenever you decide to drill, the same advice applies:

• Drill when conditions are right (into moisture)
• Choose a vigorous hybrid even if you are drilling early
• Good seed to soil contact is vital for the best establishment
• Remove early weed competition

Whatever the drilling time, hybrids can give the best start

It’s worth the investment in hybrids with autumn vigour such as those in the InVigor^® portfolio, since they have the best chance of growing away and can be safely drilled right into September. If the weather conditions allow for early drilling then there is a balance between getting a good crop established quickly and having an over-large crop that needs to be managed to ensure the best yield.

The aim going into winter is well-rooted plants with large tap roots and good ground cover. InVigor varieties (all treated with Integral Pro to boost root and shoot growth) improve the chances of achieving this.

But with CSFB about, the emphasis should be on getting the crop established successfully, once that’s achieved, we can then manage the canopy by reducing nitrogen in the spring and using PGRs.

Caryx in the autumn? If the crop reaches 4-6 true leaves during September or October use Caryx 0.7l/ha to thicken the lower stem, increase rooting and increase branch initials.

Caryx^® effects above and below ground

For 2020, there are six InVigor^® hybrids available, winter InVigor^® varietieshttps://basfrealresults.co.uk/osr/risk-share/ all with some of the best autumn vigour around, plus two new BASF Invigor Clearfield^® varieties, InV1166CL^® and InV1266CL^®. Excellent autumn and spring vigour has also been seen from both these varieties in the UK environment. All InVigor^® varieties are covered under the Establishment Risk Share Programme, where in the event of conditions deteriorating BASF will reimburse £30/ha if the crop fails to establish. See

General agronomy support to help inform decisions

Visit the BASF Real Results Virtual Farm to view videos on…

• CSFB mitigation strategies from Sacah White (ADAS).
• Tips on establishment from Pete Berry (ADAS) and cultivations expert Philip Wright.
• ‘What is vigour’ from Carol Norris (BASF), add learn about Integral Pro.

www.agricentre.basf.co.uk<#text>. InVigor^® and Caryx^® are registered trademarks of BASF. Caryx^® contains metconazole and mepiquat chloride.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 . For further information, please do not hesitate to contact your local BASF Agronomy Manager or the BASF Technical Services Hotline: 0845 602 2553