Field bean growers can now use the new Syngenta fungicide, Elatus Era, for the control of rust and chocolate spot infections for the rest of this season.
The approval is timely with PGRO reporting the high treat of rust for spring beans awaiting fungicide applications. Cool, wet conditions also increase the risk of chocolate spot.
Existing stocks of Elatus Era on farms and in distribution stores, for cereal treatments, can also now be used on field bean and combining pea crops.
Results of PGRO research and Syngenta trials have shown Elatus Era, containing the new active Solatenol and prothioconazole, provided excellent control of both key diseases in field beans. Elatus Era is renowned for its rust control in cereals.
The approval permits one application per season at a rate of 0.66 l/ha in field beans and combining peas. Treatment is permitted up to 20% of pods having reached typical length (GS72).
Michael Tait
“Research indicates the active is most effective as a preventative application, to target disease before it gets into the leaf or becomes established in the plant,” advocated Syngenta Technical Manager, Michael Tait. “Particularly with rust that can develop so quickly.”
For field beans, trials have shown Elatus Era is best used in a two-spray programme, he advised.
PGRO chief executive Roger Vickers added: “The decision to allow farmers to apply Elatus Era to field beans immediately will be welcome news to growers.
“Chemistry which protects the crop from Chocolate Spot and rusts are limited in number, but are essential to maximising yield potential.
“Throughout trials conducted by the PGRO, Elatus Era has proven very effective against these diseases and we are pleased to see a new option being made available to growers in time for applications this season.”
Trial results
Results in summer 2020 demonstrated the outstanding efficacy of Elatus Era against bean rust under high pressure in hot, dry weather.
PGRO work in Suffolk, for example, showed almost complete control of the disease in all the programmes with Elatus Era at the initial timing, with outstanding results when followed by Amistar.
In the untreated crop, 45% of leaf area was affected by rust, with the new product programme performing at least 4x better compared to a two-spray boscalid + pyraclostrobin strategy.
Chocolate spot clean up
Whilst chocolate spot is typically a less serious issue in spring bean crops, compared to over-wintered winter beans, this season’s cool, wet weather has been favourable to its infection.
Assessment of disease levels in the PGRO Suffolk trial indicated optimum results from targeting treatment at the full label rate, advocated Mr Tait.
