Testing the performance of biofungicides (winter wheat pilot trials)

Status: Active

Niab, in partnership with SRUC and ADAS, is delivering a two‑year AHDB‑funded pilot project to evaluate the performance of biofungicides against Septoria tritici in winter wheat.

As interest grows in biological alternatives to conventional fungicides, these trials provide independent, field‑scale evidence for levy payers on how biofungicides perform under commercial conditions and how they can complement existing programmes.

Trials are being run across three sites (Midlothian (SRUC), Herefordshire (ADAS) and Hampshire (Niab) using a single, standardised protocol followed by all partners. Each site includes two replicated trials: one trial using a septoria‑susceptible variety and one using a moderately resistant variety.

Seven biofungicides are being assessed, applied either alone or alongside a half‑rate fungicide programme to determine whether biologicals can enhance disease control or support reduced fungicide inputs. All products are foliar applied during the normal spray window, following manufacturer recommendations.
Initial findings will be shared at the AHDB Agronomy Conference in December 2026, with the full dataset available at the end of the project.