Beware of Rhizoctonia’s return

Victorian farmer Bernie Delahunty said he had looked to increase his protection to Rhizoctonia due to the increased prevalence of the disease in no-till systems.

Bernie and wife Sophie grow wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, canola and faba beans across 2800 hectares on their property "Roscrea" near Murtoa, Victoria.

"Since we went more into no-till Rhizoctonia is now showing up badly,'' Mr Delahunty said.

"It is a significant issue on our lighter country.''

Rhizoctonia, the most costly root disease in southern Australia, tends to build up under no-till crop establishment as well as continuous cereal cropping.

Last year, Mr Delahunty decided to trial Bayer's new EverGol Prime seed treatment in a 56ha paddock growing its fourth crop in a row.

The paddock was sown dry to Commander barley at 55 kilograms/ha with 40kg/ha of monoammonium phosphate fertiliser and 30 litres/ha of urea-ammonium nitrate liquid fertiliser combined with 1.5L/ha of zinc sulphate.

Nitrogen nutrition was topped-up later with an application of urea at 105kg/ha.

A knockdown spray mix also was incorporated at sowing.

The EverGol Prime seed treatment, from the Group 7 carboxamide group of fungicides, accounted for 10ha of the paddock.

Trials have shown the fungicide assists in reducing root damage and, thereby, improves root growth, resulting in better access to moisture and nutrients for improved crop vigour.

Mr Delahunty said the EverGol Prime treated area stood out straight away when the crop established.

"You could see it when we were going over the crop with the sprayer.

"There was more vigour and it was a stronger, healthier crop.''

He said there was even production in the trial area and where the disease was bad on a rise, there was a significant yield benefit.