YET ANOTHER warning has been issued with regard to the threat from aphid-borne disease, barley yellow dwarf virus, to crops sown this autumn.

With the imminent loss of clothianidin (Deter/Redigo Deter) seed dressing, much of the UK’s autumn drilled cereals crops will be at risk from BYDV, according to experts from agronomy firm, Hutchinsons.

Mild weather, coinciding with early emergence of winter cereals may mean that aphid populations could quickly establish this autumn, said its technical support manager, Duncan Connabeer.

BYDV is the most widely distributed viral disease of all cereals and generally affects barley, and oats to a greater extent than wheat, with early infections holding the potential for significant yield losses. The smaller the plant when infected, the greater the impact on yield and winter cereals are generally considered susceptible up to GS30.

The damage can be accentuated by the speed at which the virus is transmitted between insect and crop – aphids can become infected within 24 hours of feeding and re-infect healthy plants in less than a day.

This autumn will be the last opportunity for UK growers to use noeonicotinoid seed dressings containing the active clothianidin. The final date of use has been confirmed as December 19, 2018. After the winter of 2018, growers will only have pyrethroids to fall back on until the arrival of new insecticides.

Mr Connabeer pointed out that 2012 and 2016 were high pressure and difficult seasons for BYDV control and all whilst 50% of the wheat crop still had a neonicotinoid seed dressing. “Looking ahead we are moving into an even more challenging situation as many growers and agronomists will not have experience of managing BYDV without dressed seed, especially in high risk scenarios,” he argued.

Without clothianidin, management of BYDV will require careful integration of monitoring, cultural and chemical control methods and it will be necessary to identify potential risk periods so that control populations of vector aphids can be effected.

“It’s important to get control correct from the start as if there is suddenly a significant flight of aphids then crops will be at risk – there is no second chance with BYDV,” he said. “Whilst the latest monitoring by AHDB and Rothamsted suggests aphid activity remains low, with mild autumn conditions the threat is high as aphid flights will continue much later than usual – the risk only goes away once aphids stop flying – it’s not controlled by diary date.

“The grain, bird cherry oat and rose grain aphids can all transmit BYDV so there’s a need to control all of these, particularly in mild autumn conditions where aphids keep flying. Issues have been observed from low levels flying into crops late then multiplying in mild autumns and winters leading to significant secondary infection.”

He recommended that crops in high risk areas should still use Deter or Redigo Deter for early drilled crops. “This will provide about 6-8 weeks protection when the crop is at its most vulnerable during emergence and establishment. The added benefit of dressed seed is that it is a useful management tool where subsequent treatments may be delayed by the weather,” he added.

Conor Campbell, Hutchinsons’ agronomist in Alnwick, urged growers to consider using an aphicide spray where seed has not been protected. “While trials suggest the optimum timing for single sprays is between mid-October and early November, depending on emergence dates, any crops that were through the ground in late September or early October may benefit from an earlier spray.

“Pyrethroids do still have significant impact on aphid control. We only have resistance recorded in the grain aphid, so it is important to use cultural methods to reduce the risk of BYDV initially.”

Northern regional technical manager, Cam Murray, urged growers in high-risk situations in the north, particularly those using undressed seed, to pay particular attention to crop emergence.

“The minute the crop pokes through the ground it is at risk, so it is vital to spray an aphicide onto the crop around the two-leaf stage – this should provide about seven days repellant activity – that’s providing the aphids show no sign of resistance.”

After the first application of a pyrethroid then the T-sum calculations begin, or if you have neonicotinoid dressed seed then the calculations begin at the end of the protective period of the insecticide seed dressing, he said.

BYDV spread and optimum spray timing depend on a T-sum system of accumulated day degrees above 3°C from the date of emergence, he says. If T-sum reaches a 170° day this signifies the presence of progeny which can lead to a significant spread of the virus resulting in the traditional circular patches visible later in the season.

IPM methods:

Longer-term, the use of integrated pest management is vital to manage BYDV risk. This includes:

Earlier drilling;

Stubble hygiene such as removing green bridges;

Selecting more resistant varieties which will be an option from next year.