Fungicide blow to wheat crop yields

THE highest-ever levels of insensitivity to fungicide have been confirmed by Teagasc crop scientists in wheat crops.

They fear a major blow to Ireland’s ability to produce the top yields of wheat in Europe.

Since 2003, cereal growers here have mainly depended on triazole fungicides to control Septoria tritici in wheat. Teagasc has advised growers to take all precautionary measures to reduce the build up of insensitive Septoria strains, in order to prolong the life of this extremely valuable group of fungicides.