Week Commencing 15th May 2017
After weeks of slow growth, recent rainfall and warmth has seen crops begin to
accelerate with the more advanced crops now fully established beyond the 6-leaf
stage. However, for many crops progress remains slow with patchy emergence and
canopies somewhere between emergence and the 2-4 leaf stage. The forecasted
rainfall for this week is essential to further crop progress.
Some crops are showing variability both within and between fields especially where
there are differences in rainfall, soil type and field topography. The resulting range of
different growth stages is a challenge when making decisions regarding herbicides,
weed control and fertilisers.
If you are unsure and need to decide on whether to re-drill or not – check the seed in
the ground to see whether it has cracked and for the development of the radicle. If
there are no or few signs of growth, collect some seed from the field and put them
on moist blotting paper or paper tissue in a warm room. After a couple of days, you
should be able to see whether seeds are going to germinate.
BBRO evaluate seed lots on two sites every season. This involves drilling and
monitoring seed from all the key commercial seed bulks and associated treatments.
To date we have not observed any emergence issues but under the cold conditions in
April germination and emergence have been slower than usual.
For more information see the full bulletin.
