United Kingdom
June 19, 2013
Sclerotinia is one of the most widespread and economically important diseases of carrots, affecting both yield and quality. It has been estimated that the disease could cause annual crop losses to UK growers in excess of £5million.
Problems arise when the carrot foliage – especially in commercial varieties such as Nairobi – flops over, or lodges, and becomes rotten creating an ideal warm, moist environment for disease development. The sclerotia, which have been dormant in the soil, will germinate under these conditions and spread into the foliage and crop bed causing plant and root death and rendering the carrots unsaleable.
“BASF has been investing in ways of improving Sclerotinia control for carrot growers using an integrated approach,” explains Rob Storer, BASF’s Speciality Crops Product Manager. “Working with Howard Hinds of Root Crop Consultancy Ltd and Wroot Water, who have manufactured a new three-bed system called the Wroot Clip Master 3, we have been carrying out trials for a few years and now find the efficacy is better than it was and the dataset much more robust.”
“The clipping system is a simple but effective cultural control method,” explains Howard Hinds. “The first cut, which should take place at the end of July beginning of August, provides the most benefit, with a second, if necessary, in early September. The foliage drops into the bottom of the wheeling where it dries to a brown mat. This creates a gap between the side of the carrot bed and dried up foliage so preventing disease infection spreading into the plant.”
“The Clip Mater 3 machine can operate at speeds of 10km/hour allowing 200-300 acres to be covered in a day. The discs rely on the forward speed of the tractor so it is quite a simple system with no hydraulics involved. The discs run a few inches into the soil and are positioned on the edge of the bed, away from the carrots. A pivoting action helps cope with any gradient there might be in the field,” explains Howard.
“Last year we conducted some semi-commercial trials. In each field half the filed was clipped and half left unclipped. As part of an integrated approach the crops underwent a spray programme including an early season spray of Signum. Results were very positive. Where the crop had been clipped we were getting 50% reduction in the amount of Sclerotinia and in one trial we achieved a 90% reduction in the disease. The best result appears to have been down to the timing of the clipping which took place just as the crop started to lodge but before the disease really became established.”
“Carrot growers need to adopt an integrated approach in the management of Sclerotinia in the field,” explains Rob. “They need to use the right chemistry at the right time, front loading with Signum early on and alternating with other products before the canopy covers over to reduce the risk of resistance. Then by adopting a cultural approach – the carrot clipper ¬– the risk of disease spreading into the crop will be minimised. We also need to be looking at developing a decision support system to monitor disease incidence. We are currently working on this with The University of Warwick and ADAS and hope to have something in place next season via the BASF website to provide growers with a more informed approach to disease control in their carrot crops.”
For details of BASF’s carrot products go to: http://tinyurl.com/obnem8q
Signum contains boscalid and pyraclostrobin
Signum is a registered trademark of BASF plc.
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.co.uk
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com
About BASF’s Crop Protection division
With sales of around €4.7 billion in 2012, BASF’s Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions in crop protection, turf and ornamental plants, pest control and public health. Its portfolio also includes technologies for seed treatment and biological control as well as solutions to manage water, nutrients and plant stress. BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leading innovator that supports growers to optimize agricultural production, improve their business efficiency and enhance the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or follow us on our social media channels
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