10th December 2015
PRESS RELEASE
Prevention better than cure in fight against LLS
Early detection and repeat treatments are the keys to effective Light Leaf Spot (LLS)
control in oilseed rape this season. That is according to Gemma Sparrow, Technical
Specialist for Adama, who warns that well-timed fungicide applications are essential
in order to effectively target and control the disease this winter.
“With the HGCA’s CropMonitor service already forecasting high levels of Light Leaf Spot for
the forthcoming season, it is a brave grower who allows their oilseed rape crop to reach
stem extension before applying a second fungicide treatment,” Miss Sparrow warns.
She advises that it is unrealistic to expect even the best fungicides to last through until
March and warns that growers will need to be one step ahead as disease pressures cycle
and grow through the winter months, particularly given the mild and wet conditions
experienced so far this year.
“The risk of LLS infection is currently greatest in the north and west of England,” Miss
Sparrow continues, “but can no longer be regarded as a North-only disease. Instead,
growers throughout the UK should adopt a preventative control strategy as curative
strategies alone are likely to result in poor control, leaving growers one-step behind and
constantly chasing the disease.”
For successful control, Miss Sparrow endorses a second fungicide application as soon as
the first signs of the disease are noticed and growers are able to travel. “There is no
substitution for regular and rigorous crop inspections,” she continues. “In high risk areas,
growers should consider a second fungicide application in January or February, before
temperatures start to rise and crops begin to develop. This will give better results in terms of
disease control compared to waiting for crops to reach a particular growth stage and will
significantly reduce yield losses later in the year.
“Early detection and treatment at the beginning of the New Year will provide more effective
control than treating heavily diseased crops at stem extension,” she adds. “With many
forward crops in the ground, growers should also be considering the application of a growth
regulator to manage canopy size and structure.”
Containing two triazoles, prochloraz and tebuconazole, Adama’s Orius P provides reliable,
efficient and cost-effective preventative LLS control. The combination of these two active
ingredients supports an anti-resistance management strategy, with the tebuconazole
bringing a flexible level of growth regulation.
“In HGCA 2014 trials, Orius P (used at a full label rate of 1.5 l/ha per single dose) delivered a
0.57t/ha yield increase over untreated crops. With the added benefit of being suited to
flexible dosing rates, Orius P can also be applied at 0.75-1.5 l/ha depending on canopy size
and disease pressure,” Miss Sparrow concludes.
-EndsPhotos & captions:
 Gemma Sparrow: Gemma Sparrow of Adama warns growers to treat OSR against Light Leaf Spot sooner rather than later.
 Light Leaf Spot on OSR: Repeat fungicide treatments are the best method of controlling Light Leaf Spot.
Notes to editors:
 Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd, formerly known as Makhteshim Agan Industries, established for nearly 70 years, is a
leading global manufacturer and distributor of crop protection solutions and the leading off-patent provider.
 Adama is a leading supplier of crop protection products including a full range of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth
regulators and molluscicides.
 Adama supplies efficient solutions to farmers across the full farming value chain, including crop protection, novel
agricultural technologies and complementary non-crop businesses.
 Adama is characterised by its innovation, its approach to product development, and strict standards of environmental
protection and quality control.
 Adama products are available in the UK through leading distributors and agronomy companies.
For further information, please contact:
Jo Hams, Campaign Manager, Marketing, Adama Agricultural Solutions UK Ltd.
Office: 01635 290728 Mobile: 07919 987527 Email: jo.hams@adama.com
Issued by:
Paul Jennings, Client Director, ABC Limited.
Office: 01694 731777 Mobile: 07515 260331 Email: paul@abccomms.co.uk
This news release can be downloaded directly from the ABC Press Centre at www.abccomms.co.uk