Crop Rotation

The two previous crops should be considered.  Both have an influence on the level of take-all in the soil.  If the previous crop was wheat or barley this presents the highest level of risk as these act as hosts for the disease and allow the inoculum to build up.

Crops such as OSR, legumes, linseed, oats, potatoes, triticale and sugar beet act as a take-all break giving the following crop the lowest level of risk as they don’t act as host for the disease.  Good control of cereal volunteers and grass weeds is essential to maximise the effectiveness of these break crops.

The risks after stubble, grass or non-cropped land vary according to the time of destruction or cultivation, and the presence of host species such as cereal volunteers or some grasses.  To minimise the risks in this situation early destruction and cultivation will aid the breakdown of host plant material lowering the initial risk of infection.

Grass weed control

The control of Wheat and Barley volunteers, Common Couch, Barren Brome and Rye grass is important as these species represent hosts for the take-all fungus, if these species are not controlled this allows the continued build up of inoculum and as such increases the risk to following crop.

Cultivations

As take-all survives primarily on infected roots, more thorough cultivation methods can reduce levels of the inoculum by fragmenting roots allowing quicker decay.

Minimum tillage provides a consolidated environment through which the fungus will struggle to travel, slowing the spread of the disease.  However it does leave a large amount of infected material close to the surface, which can lead to quicker infection of emerging plants.

Ploughing buries infected trash and helps to mineralise nitrogen, aiding root development.  However due to lack of consolidation the inoculum can spread rapidly through the soil.

Therefore, effective trash dispersal followed by the creation of a firm seedbed is important to discourage fungal growth.

Soil conditions

Drainage and soil structure are important on heavier soils as compaction and/or water logging can restrict root development and therefore leave the plant less able to cope the damaging effects of take-all.

Variety

Varietal choice is very important in second wheats, no variety is resistant to take-all but some varieties suffer less yield loss as second or subsequent wheats.

The HGCA recommended list gives varieties scores as second wheats.

Seed Rates

Seed rates need to be targeted to seedbed conditions, the lower the rate used the lower the root density and therefore the lower the initial infection.

Drilling Date

With drilling date it is important to remember that the risk of yield loss from take-all increases the longer the plant is exposed to the disease in the autumn.  By delaying drilling more of an opportunity is given for the inoculum to decay.  Therefore it is better to drill as late as seedbed conditions allow.

Crop Nutrition

Deficiencies can exacerbate the effects of take-all as root development and vigour are impaired and thinner cell walls allow disease to develop and spread more easily.  Correcting deficiencies of phosphorus, potassium, manganese, sulphur and copper will help the plant cope with the disease.

Nitrogen fertiliser

Second and further wheats benefit from both higher rate and earlier nitrogen use where there is a medium/high risk of take-all. This boosts plant vigour, offsetting the impact of take-all. Apply some of the total in February, and increase nitrogen fertiliser inputs as appropriate, depending on soil and crop status.

Other Chemical Inputs

To compliment Latitude, the use of a growth regulator to promote root development can be beneficial.  Discuss T1 fungicide options with your agronomist.