Tillage Prospects Improve, say Teagasc
Issued 2ndJuly 2001
Yield prospects for tillage crops have improved in recent weeks, according to the latest Teagasc crops report. With the start of harvesting two to three weeks away, Jim O'Mahony, Teagasc Tillage Specialist, said that yields of winter and spring wheat and spring barley are more promising than a month ago. However, yields are unlikely to reach the record levels achieved in 2000.
Teagasc reports a dramatic increase in aphid infestation of crops and urges farmers to use effective control measures. The recently discovered leaf necrotic spotting disorder in barley is also evident in many crops. However, according to Jim O'Mahony, the disorder, which can play havoc with yields, is not as prominent as in previous years.
Teagasc researchers have discovered that the disorder is due to the combined effects of a new disease and some other factors, possibly involving light irradiance. The researchers have also found considerable variation in the susceptibility of different varieties to the disorder. Spraying with some of the newly developed chemicals will greatly reduce the yield impact.
This new disorder is now the subject of a major international research project involving scientists at the Teagasc Tillage Research Centre at Oak Park, Carlow and at research centres throughout Europe.
Potato growers have also been warned by Teagasc about the continuing blight threat. The Teagasc potato blight recording service shows outbreaks of blight in four counties in the east and south east in recent days. Farmers have been urged to implement effective blight control programmes.
