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DARD ARABLE MANAGEMENT NOTES: FEBRUARY 2005 CEREALS MANAGEMENT Cereals at Greenmount Campus Greenmount’s winter wheat crops have begun to tiller well and the plant population is approximately 200 plants/m2. The crop of Claire was sown on 12 October 2004 following a grass ley at 350 seeds/m2, which equated to 150kg/ha. Glyphosate and chlorpyrifos were applied pre-sowing to control weeds and leather jackets. Consequently weeds within the crop are at very low level and a herbicide application of isoproturon (IPU) and diflufenican was delayed until mid January. Small traces of mildew are evident due to the mild damp weather but would not merit a treatment. Mildew levels will be assessed at GS30 (T0) and an appropriate mildewicide will be included if required. Soil sampling February is an ideal month to carry out soil sampling before any slurry or farmyard manure is applied to the fields. Soil sampling is an essential starting point when planning the fertiliser requirements of any crop. Soil samples should be taken every 4-5 years to maintain an up-to-date nutrient status for the field. Conacre ground should be sampled as soon as possible as there will be less historic information available and the result could be used to determine the value of the land. Also the pH level of the field will have a big effect on the success of a spring cereal crop and it is best to ensure this is correct before drilling the crop. POTATO MANAGEMENT Store Hygiene All stores should be checked regularly to ensure no problems are developing during the storage period. Growers should already be planning for next season to ensure good quality seed stocks are available at planting. Where once grown home saved seed will be used it should be graded and stored correctly to ensure sprouting is controlled. Hotbox test It is also advisable to get a sample ‘hot box’ tested and inspect it closely for skin borne disease. The ‘hot box’ test is a simple, effective method of determining the potential storage quality of crops. It highlights the likelihood of seed to develop tuber blight, soft rot and dry rot by placing tubers under favourable conditions for disease development, that is, warm (15-20°C) humid conditions for 10-14 days. Growers should contact their Crops Development Adviser for further Information. Sampling for Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) Growers are encouraged to manage the risk of PCN and are reminded of the PCN advisory service available through the Applied Plant Science Division of DARD Science Service at Newforge Lane. Interpretation of results from soil analysis, carried out at the nematology laboratory, Newforge Lane together with advisory options, should enable growers to minimise the risk of PCN contamination and in the selection of suitable fields for potato production. Results will remain confidential to the grower. PCN can be spread via field-to-field contamination through soil movement, including that caused by machinery, wind and water movements. At high infestations plants will wilt during the day due to insufficient water uptake, top growth is poor with progressive yellowing of the leaves. Premature death results and final yields of potatoes are greatly reduced. A further indirect result of PCN invasion is provision of entry sites for various soil pathogens so that secondary fungal and bacterial diseases such as soft rots may also develop. Extended rotation practices should always be part of PCN management. With high population levels, many years rest from potatoes may be needed to reduce the infestation to a level at which cropping with potatoes is economic.