Trials data shows impressive yield advantage for UnivoqTM fungicide
Univoq, the new cereal fungicide from Corteva Agriscience, has shown it delivers an average yield benefit of 0.25t/ha over Revystar® XE. Across 36 sites in England and Scotland, Univoq outperformed the previous market standard in more than 80% of trials*. The uplift in yield from using Univoq is calculated to be worth £50/hectare to growers. Mike Ashworth, Cereal Fungicide Category Manager for Corteva, said: “2021 was a high disease pressure year, and we know that Univoq’s major strength is septoria control, so it gave the fungicide the chance to really show what it is capable of. “We have seen this excellent yield response from Univoq for many years, so this is not a surprise, but the data presented from last year’s harvest shows a clear advantage which can be directly linked to a greater return on a grower’s investment.” The trials work compared Univoq applied at 1.25l/ha to Revystar® XE at 1l/ha – rates which are comparable in terms of the cost to a grower. In six of the 36 trials, Revystar® XE delivered a higher yield than Univoq, but at all other sites, Univoq came out on top. In two cases, Univoq out-yielded Revystar® XE by more than 1t/ha. Overall, the mean difference between the two products was 0.25t/ha. Mike said: “Growers want reliable, robust chemistry which controls key diseases in order to maintain green leaf area, allowing the crop to fulfil its yield potential. When the disease came in 2021, Univoq delivered.
UK’s first measurements of nitrogen added by legumes to a crop production system The potential of grain legume crops such as faba beans to harness the nitrogen present in air into biologically useful forms is well known, but how much of an opportunity does it present for farmers wanting to pursue net-zero agriculture? A research team from the James Hutton Institute has recorded the first UK-wide measurement of nitrogen added by faba beans. The study focused on a range of production systems, including the use of longterm crop-rotational data from the Institute’s Centre for Sustainable Cropping (CSC). The team found that beans can incorporate more than 400 kg of nitrogen per hectare due to the symbiosis between legume crops and soil bacteria, which allows them to harness naturally occurring atmospheric nitrogen and negate the need for added synthetic nitrogen fertilisers. The crops also provide nitrogen to the production system after harvest and the residual stems, roots, and pods decay into the soil as a natural fertiliser, and general soil improver. Prof Euan James, coauthor of the study, said: “These results are a first for Scotland and the UK and demonstrate that in addition to their value as a high-protein crop, beans can be used
to help reduce costly and environmentally damaging fertiliser nitrogen inputs into arable systems. “This demonstrates the huge potential grain legumes such as faba bean could provide in achieving zerocarbon agriculture, as well as meeting Scotland’s ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.” Dr Pete Iannetta added: “The ability of beans to fix nitrogen from air presents an opportunity by which the environmental damaging impacts of excessive synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use may be avoided. “We are fortunate to have the incredible long-term whole-system datasets of the CSC. This, allied to a fantastic
team of collaborators from across the UK, including farmers – has allowed us to achieve a strong foundation for future environmental impact assessments.” The CSC was established in 2009 to design an integrated cropping system for multiple benefits and test the long-term impacts on biodiversity and wholesystem sustainability. For more information, including a virtual tour, visit csc.hutton. ac.uk.
The James Hutton Institute is a world-leading scientific research organisation working to resolve global challenges in food, climate, energy and water security. The Institute works in partnership with people, organisations and governments to enhance sustainable environmental, social and economic development to deliver practical solutions for our shared future. www.hutton.ac.uk
