We are now entering this period and whether your seeing outbreaks of fusarium or not the disease population will be growing during weather conditions that are suitable.So what are the key drivers?
- Mild temperatures
- Long periods of moisture allowing the disease to spread
- Soft lush growth
At this time of year growth is still strong however opportunities to grow out damaged turf are quickly reducing. The combination of current growth, increasing disease populations and reducing opportunities to recover damage is leading Turf managers to ask the question - What should I apply?
Well knowing spray opportunities in this wind are limited the first message is grab the opportunity to spray early when you get it.
The second message is that good growth requires a systemic fungicide
Thirdly our desire to reduce spore populations means an Anti-sporulant would be helpful.
In our Trial work we've seen great results using 2L Banner Maxx 2 at 2L/Ha tank mixed with Medallion at 1L/Ha.
This combination early can help control populations early and take you through this high pressure period clean.
Watching disease pressure through this period is very important - during high periods of pressure reducing spray windows to 14 days can help keep disease populations low. When the climatic pressure reduces a low disease population should allow us to extend the windows. Autumn is NOT the time to push the boundaries, keep things clean and use January, February and March to elongate application windows.
