NIAB News Archive - September 2007
NIAB concern over return of stem nematode in field bean seed
[Posted September 2007]
Cambridge-based agricultural research centre NIAB warns that stem nematode infection continues to be the main worry for farmers wanting to sow home-saved bean seed this year.
NIAB plant pathologist Dr David Kenyon says, "So far this year 26% of bean seed samples tested have had some level of stem nematode infection and whilst the majority of these have only had low levels of infection even these should not be used for seed”. He continues, “The past few years have seen relatively low numbers of seed lots with a stem nematode problem but the high soil moisture through the summer and autumn allowed the nematode to move between plants leading to higher levels of seed infestation”.
Stem nematodes cause yield loss directly through infected seeds dying prematurely and spreading infection to neighbouring plants. However, depending on the particular race present the nematodes can survive in the soil for many years and affect subsequent bean crops.
For further information contact Dr David Kenyon
NIAB concerned over bean germination worries
[Posted September 2007]
Germination quality of field beans tested by NIAB Labtest appears worse than usual this year, with only 25 % of the samples tested so far above 80%.
Jane Taylor, NIAB seed specialist, says "we are seeing more dormancy on samples this year together with the typical mechanical and insect damage often seen on beans.
Many of the tested samples are ‘as grown’, prior to treatment or cleaning, larger seeds also tend to suffer more mechanical damage and growers should be aware that mechanical damage can occur during processing, severely reducing germination levels.
NIAB's standard bean test package (£67.75) includes both Ascochyta and Stem nematode as well as germination and 1000 seed weight giving growers all the information requires to plant a health crop.
"NIAB Labtest customers have access to a free technical advice service, available to anyone worried about germination or disease in beans, so we'd be pleased to discuss appropriate testing strategies and the interpretation of results," adds Mrs Taylor.
For further information contact Jane Taylor
Mycotoxin worries return, warns NIAB
[Posted September 2007]
Initial results from mycotoxin tests conducted at NIAB have shown that levels of DON toxin are higher this year with several wheat samples exceeding the EU threshold of 1250ppb.
Weather conditions during the early part of the summer were conducive for Fusarium infection. This has been borne out by results from NIAB’s diagnostic laboratories which have shown that 90% of samples were infected by Fusarium spp., with 17% having higher levels of infection. The picture for Barley is similar with 25% of samples exhibiting high levels of Fusarium infection. This is significantly higher than in previous years.
Cambridge-based NIAB, one of the country's premier agricultural research centres, is offering an independent testing solution to confirm the levels of DON and other mycotoxins in wheat samples.
NIAB grain specialist, Dr David Kenyon, said “Whilst the incidence of seed lots containing high levels of Fusarium is relatively low, our results so far have shown that most samples have had significant background levels of DON toxin. The presence of samples that have exceeded the EU threshold is of concern.”
For further information contact Dr David Kenyon
NIAB releases 2008 forage maize list
[Posted September 2007]
The following are the new First Choice varieties on the 2008 Forage Maize Descriptive List. This year sees a number of outstanding new performers pushing forward yield potential of the crop.
Varieties like NK Bull and Expert are driving forward the overall yield potential of the maize crops with average yields of the best varieties up towards 19t/ha. Whilst varieties like Beethoven, ES Regain, Revolver and ES Picker are also showing clear yield improvements within their maturity class. The result of these improvement is not just sheer bulk yield but excellent ME and starch yield per hectare with a number of varieties passing 200,000MJ/ha in terms of Energy yields and topping 6t/ha in terms of starch yield. Performances that were unheard of 5 years ago in the UK trialing system clearly show the continual improvement of genetic material for UK growers.
Varieties listed as 1st choice in favourable growing locations only
| NK BULL | (Syngenta) Highest yielding variety on Medium Early / Favourable List (111% controls), highest ME and Starch content and therefore highest starch yield 6.2t/ha and highest ME yield 216,000MJ/ha. MC 6. |
| SHERMAN | (Nickerson-Advanta) Good balance of yield and quality characters for a MC 8 |
| TANGO | (Olivers) Good balance of yield and quality for a MC 7 |
| ANJOU 227 | (DLF Trifolium) Good balance of yield and quality for a MC 6 |
| CODIMI | (Caussade) Good balance of yield and quality for a MC 6 |
| EXPERT | (Nickerson-Advanta) Very high yielding variety (108% controls) second highest ME yield 203,000MJ/ha, MC 6. |
| TRADDI CS | (Caussade) Highest yielding MC 4, very good starch content for late variety 31.0% |
Early varieties 1st choice in favourable and less favourable locations
| REVOLVER | (BSH) An ultra early variety, which performs particularly well on marginal sites, where it is the highest yielding MC 11 with yields of 100% of control, this variety, also produces high starch and ME yields for its maturity. It also has good standing power for a very early variety. |
| ES PICKER | (Grainseed) variety is also ultra early like revolver, it shows excellent yields for a very early variety. MC 11. |
| MAS 09A. | (Maisadour) Shows excellent balance of characteristics, but particularly good ME content of 11.5mj/kg in favourable conditions and 11.4mj/kg in marginal sites giving good energy density for an early variety. MC 9/10. |
| ACCLAIM | (Nickerson-Advanta) Shows a good balance of yield and quality characteristics. MC 9/10. |
| ES REGAIN | (Olivers) Has shown excellent yield in marginal sites (104% controls) and excellent starch yield 5.4t/ha, but its performance in most outstanding in favourable sites with a yield of 105% controls combined with excellent ME yield of 201,000MJ/ha and starch yield of 6.2t/ha. MC 8/9. |
| KONSORT | (Huntseeds) MC 8 in favourable and marginal conditions, excellent yield and good ME yield in all situations. |
| KONSTANT | (Huntseeds) Maturity class 7/8 variety, good balance of yield and quality characteristics for its maturity. |
| KLIFTON | (Huntseeds) Maturity class 7, good balance of yield and quality, plus extremely good e.vigour (9.3) |
| SPEZI | (Caussade) MC 7/8, shows an excellent balance of yield (109% marginal, 108% favourable) and quality, resulting in good starch yields particularly on marginal sites (5.7t.ha) |
| ES BALLADE | (Grainseed) Good balance of yield and quality, MC 7. |
| BEETHOVEN | (Nickerson-Advanta) Highest yielding variety on marginal list (110%), producing highest energy (193,000) and high starch yield (5.7t/ha), in favourable sites it is highest yielding MC 7 (107% controls) and again provides a good ME and starch yield. MC7. |
| BEACON | (Nickerson-Advanta) Shows a good balance of yield and quality. MC7/8. |
| AGASSY | (Nickerson-Advanta) Shows good balance of yield and quality. MC 7/8. |
| ANVIL | (Huntseeds) High yielding variety with good quality, of particular note its very good starch yield 5.7t.ha in marginal conditions. MC 7. |
| KLAYMORE | (CPB Twyford) Good balance of yield and quality. MC7. |
| CLAXXON | (RAGT). Good balance of yield and quality, MC7. |
| SALGADO | (CPB Twyford) Excellent balance of yield and quality, very good starch content with highest starch yield 5.8t.ha in marginal sites, in favourable sites it is the high yielding maturity class 7 (110% controls) provides an excellent ME yield (210,000MJ/ha) and starch yield (6.3). MC7. |
| SURPRISE | (Saaten Union) Excellent balance of yield and quality, of particular note its performance in favourable conditions, with a yield of 107% controls, resulting in a good ME and starch yield. MC6. |
Early varieties 1st choice in less favourable locations only
(Locations where grower’s first consideration is maize reaches sufficient maturity by their normal harvest date)
| ES BOWLING | (Grainseed) MC 9, shows a good balance of yield and quality characteristics including an excellent ME (11.4) |
| BLIXXEM | (RAGT) MC 7, shows good balance of yield and quality. |
For more information please contact Don Pendergrast