Robust PGR use essential to maximise crop value.

With most growers setting out to achieve maximum yields to take advantage of high crop prices, it is imperative that crops are kept standing by the use of a robust PGR programme, says Nick Myers, ProCam UK Agronomy Manager.

Last year the top 25% of wheat growers in the Procam 4cast agronomy system recorded spending 44% more on PGRs than the average grower, he says.

4cast indicates that using a tailored programme for individual varieties and crops is very much worthwhile, especially in todays economic climate. At current and prospective prices there is much to be gained from a robust PGR programme this season.

Growth regulators in cereals are applied for more than one purpose – they will reduce crop height and minimise lodging, by strengthening root and stems.

A lodged crop reduces both yield and quality. But PGRs can also improve the crops tolerance to drought, increasing its ability to scavenge for nutrients ad reducing the impact of disease such as eyespot.

A trinexapac-ethyl (Moddus) PGR programme in combination with chlormequat with imazaquin produces more grain with less water consumption when compared with a straight chlormequat programme alone, due to improved root mass and root length and reduction in foliar growth, he says.

In our increasingly variable rainfall patterns, improved rooting could be significant in maintaining yields and grain quality. Better rooting also increases uptake of nutrients and gives the plant better ability to withstand the effects of eyespot.

A strong standing crop is also much less expensive to combine, an important consideration with escalating energy costs. If the crop has less straw, combining will be faster and less fuel will be consumed.

It also means that the harvest period can be shortened and you will get more time to prepare entry for the next crop and to use a stale seedbed.

Most crops would benefit from a tailored programme of two, or even three, PGRs, Nick Myers says. You can identify which varieties are more prone to root or stem lodging and which sites are more at risk.

Early drilled wheats (those drilled in September) are around GS 30, the timing for the first PGR application, but the later drilled crops are more behind in their development.

The first application would normally be a chlormequat-based product with imazaquin at GS 30 mixed with your T0 fungicide. This is followed by trinexapac-ethyl at the T1 fungicide timing, GS 32 and in some instances a third application at GS 39 may be necessary.

For further information please contact Nick Myers, ProCam Ltd., Royston, Herts. Telephone: 01763 261592