United Kingdom
March 14, 2025
 

The application of PGRs (plant growth regulators) are important for hybrid barley crops because they help manage plant height, reduce lodging risk, and promote more uniform growth and development which ultimately leads to improved yield potential and easier harvest. 

Early growth regulation in crops of hybrid barley is important to build a strong foundation, promoting rooting and strengthening tillers.

We recommend a 3 spray PGR programme

• Aim to apply 3 PGRs to crops of HYVIDO® hybrid barley, consider adjusting rates rather than dropping sprays.
• 3 PGRs to: promote rooting, thicken cell walls & reduce crop height.

Weather is increasingly extreme and unpredictable

• Applications at T0 & T1 strengthen foundation and provide insurance for delayed/missed T2.

Several factors impact lodging risk: prioritise high risk crops for PGR applications

• Location: consider area of the country & field exposure.
• Weather: can impact crop lodging directly & make it difficult to apply PGRs => programmed approach to prevent being “caught out” later in the season.
• Green Area Index (GAI): gives an indication of crop potential, crops with high GAI early in the season are likely to be higher risk. There are various different tools that allow you to monitor GAI, including apps for your phone.
• Very thick, forward crops may also have an increased lodging risk.
• Soil type: extremely fertile soil OR soil where rooting is compromised.
• Seed rate: higher seed rates will increase competition and may increase lodging risk.
• Variety choice: Hybrid vigour is responsible for significant benefits such as yield stability, grass weed suppression and enhanced nitrogen use efficiency. Typically hybrid varieties produce more biomass and are taller than conventional varieties so application of appropriate growth regulation will allow them to reach their full potential. HYVIDO® varieties do require management to mitigate lodging risk. All of Syngenta HYVIDO® hybrid barley varieties show a good response to PGRs & demonstrate height reductions in the region of 7-10%. 

SY KESTREL & SY QUANTOCK are the latest exciting HYVIDO® varieties from Syngenta. To learn more about them and the rest of the portfolio, click here.

Website: http://www.syngenta.co.uk

Published: March 14, 2025