Crop fungus a problem for arable farmers

YORKSHIRE's arable farmers have been warned not to under-estimate the threat of a fungal disease which can seriously harm yield levels.

Yellow Rust could pose problems during 2010, with one of the UK's leading plant pathologists warning that the recent spell of cold weather had not reduced the potential for the disease to develop over the coming weeks.

Paul Fenwick, of Nickersons, said that cold snap may delay the disease's onslaught but that it remained present in UK crops.

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Yellow Rust is a fungal disease which affects crops and is predominantly found on wheat grown in cooler environments, such as the United Kingdom.

Earlier this year scientists with the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, said that as much as 60 per cent of the national winter wheat acreage could be susceptible to Yellow Rust, named after distinctive yellow striping it produces on the leaves of wheat crop.

"The danger is that growers will assume that the exceptionally low temperatures which have been experienced throughout the country this winter have eliminated the threat from yellow rust," emphasises Mr Fenwick.

"That is most definitely not the case, especially with more susceptible varieties, bearing in mind that 40 per cent of the crop, based on seed certifications, is in varieties rated 4 or less for yellow rust.

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"The cold weather might have delayed the onset of yellow rust, but the disease is still present in UK crops. Signs of it may not become apparent as early as they might in a normal year, but will certainly become evident once temperatures begin to rise."

Yellow rust has been known to survive even the harsh winters in Canada as snow acts as insulation to any sporulating lesions from the cold.

If the plant is growing and the leaves remain green, which they will have done if yellow rust infection has remained at a sub-clinical level and fungal growth has been contained within the leaf, the threat from the disease remains.

Mr Fenwick warned that even if conditions remain cold during February, March and April this will merely slow down the onset of the disease, not eliminate the threat.

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Looking ahead, Mr Fenwick advises growers to consider HGCA Recommended List yellow rust ratings very carefully and minimise

the cost of controlling this yield-sapping disease by selecting varieties with a high level of genetic resistance.

Meanwhile excellent results in from Yorkshire arable farmers helped one of the country's leading grain co-operatives enjoy strong profits.

Grainco published a 813,578 pre-tax profit in its end of year accounts and said that the opening of two major wheat ethanol plants across the North in 2010 would further increase its performance.

Chairman Charles Beaumont said: "Grainco continues to perform well, with excellent results in Scotland and Yorkshire, placing Grainco as the North's leading farmer-owned grain trading company."

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