A local approach to agronomy

Rosie Tomlinson: Regional Site Coordinator

The Western Region Innovation Site is located near Frodesely, Shropshire. The soil type is typical of the area with a good water holding capacity and yield potential although septoria control is always a challenge. Soil organic matter, nutrient status and structure have been assessed by our Plantsystems team using precision techniques with a VERIS U3 sensor.

Replicated trials are focused on evaluating new and upcoming wheat varieties and how to maximise their potential with agronomic packages tailored specifically to break yield barriers with variety specific inputs. This will include testing yield responses from the latest fungicide chemistry.

A field-scale experiment is testing four of the latest varieties of wheat under the different establishment methods of direct drilling and minimum tillage. Strips were drilled on the 16th October using either a John Deere 750A direct drill straight into the previous oilseed rape stubble following a straw rake or a Kverneland accord combination drill following a Sumo Trio. This will allow a true comparison of varieties under different establishment systems and how this may affect crop agronomy and performance.

A further field scale experiment will investigate a range of bio-stimulant products including ones containing amino acids and seaweed extracts.

The aim is to determine the role bio-stimulants play and if they can be built into the programme to help fungicides produce stronger, healthier plants.

Crop and soil health will be assessed across all experiments.

All of these trials will be demonstrated at an open day early in July, with additional dates at key points throughout the spring

Read about our development work in the latest issue of Select

Follow our Technical Team on Twitter @AgrovistaSelect

You can see a little more about the trials work being undertaken at some of our regional sites this summer.