Iblon® delivers strong broad-spectrum activity in face of heavy disease pressure

There are already signs of yellow rust and Septoria in the base of some of Richard Duchesne’s winter wheat crops. It may not yet be at a level to cause concern, but it has served to reenforce his determination to keep on top of disease and not let it get established. 

“Crops look reasonable which is reassuring given the difficult autumn drilling campaign and while some disease is to be expected, I’m only too aware how quickly it can spread when conditions favour, so I’m finalising my programme to ensure I stay on top of disease from the start,” Mr Duchesne says.  

Across about 800 hectares of owned and contract-farmed land, yellow rust is the disease that tends to dominate his thoughts, at least in most years. 

 “2024 was a difficult season. Septoria came in early and dominated with yellow rust becoming a threat later. This is not the usual case of events; fortunately, my preference for a robust T1 proved to be wise,” Mr Duchesne says. 

From his base at Hall Farm, Stanningfield near Bury St Edmunds, winter wheat covers about 680 ha of the farmed area with three feed varieties – Champion, LG Beowulf and LG Typhoon – accounting for roughly 500 ha and two milling wheats – Skyfall and SY Cheer – making up the remainder.  

“The ambition is to deliver the fungicide programme for £120-130 ha. The milling varieties receive a T0 of tebuconazole and a T3 of prothioconazole because I can justify the spend, but the focus of the programme for all varieties is T1. By the time of the T2 application, I will have a better idea of the seasonal challenge so can adapt the mixture accordingly,” he says. 

In recent years the T1 and T2 sprays have been built around a mixture containing mefentrifluconazole + fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin + tebuconazole, but the introduction of Iblon® (isoflucypram) in the form of Vimoy® ahead of the 2024 season presented an opportunity to boost protection. 

“Vimoy® represented an opportunity to try a new product offering strong broad-spectrum activity and it was competitively priced. In combination with Kestrel® (prothioconazole + tebuconazole), it provided good control, so will feature again this season where it wasn’t applied in 2024.” 

Suffolk farmer and contract farmer Richard Duchesne favours a broad-spectrum T1 because of the often-complex disease threat facing crops at this timing.

Efforts to ensure crops are treated in a timely manner are hindered, or helped, depending on your outlook, by variable crop growth owing to a protracted drilling campaign or where it was intentionally delayed in a bid to control black-grass. For someone who does all the spraying, time spent filling the sprayer has become an understandably important consideration. 

“Late sown wheat after sugar beet or because drilling has been delayed due to the weather or grassweed control means crops are at varying growth stages. The consequence of this is a lengthy spray application period. To ease the workload, I favour products that are easier to handle, mix well and with cans that are easy to washout. This is not a luxury afforded every operator,” Mr Duchesne says. 

Ease of handling is one reason why he is keen to adopt Plaxium®, a co-formulation of fluopyram + isoflucypram + prothioconazole, this season.  

“Plaxium® offers the practical benefits of a co-formulation while the inclusion of fluopyram, which although another SDHI has an incomplete cross-resistance pattern to Iblon, and prothioconazole satisfies any resistance management concerns. The flexibility to use it at either T1 or T2 is useful too, so it will likely feature somewhere,” he says. 

-----

Kestrel® contains prothioconazole and tebuconazole.  Plaxium® contains prothioconazole, fluopyram and isoflucypram.  Vimoy® contains isoflucypram. Iblon®, Vimoy® and Plaxium® are registered trademarks of Bayer. All other brand names used are Trademarks of other manufacturers in which proprietary rights may exist. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information, including contact details, visit www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk or call 0808 1969522. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2025