Farmers and agronomists can now take advantage of an innovative new decision support tool to tailor cereal growth regulator applications more precisely this spring.

InSpire provides an on-line risk assessment of the multiple inter-relating factors that influence crop lodging – giving real-time advice on optimum programmes for specific varieties and situations.

Following one of the worst seasons on-record for lodging last year, InSpire will prove a topical and welcome solution to minimise the risk of repeat serious losses and harvesting challenges from laid crops, according to Syngenta Field Technical Manager, James Southgate.

“There’s a vast array of factor to consider in making PGR recommendations,” he highlighted, “including sowing date, soil type, establishment and crop growth to date, for example.

“Furthermore, each variety has its own characteristics that will make it more or less susceptible to stem and/or root lodging.

“Uniquely InSpire will utilise a comprehensive database of new varietal appraisal for lodging risk, calculated from crop trials by specialists at Harper Adams University College, to factor into the physical in-field influences,” Mr Southgate reported. 

InSpire will then instantly calculate if a PGR will be beneficial for that specific crop - and if so, when those applications should be spilt to get the best potential effects.

Mr Southgate explained that each factor carried a differently weighted influence on lodging risk, with today’s bigger biomass varieties and potentially higher yielding large ears playing an increasingly significant role.

Additionally, climate trends are seeing periods of prolonged dry weather that can stress crops and lead to weakened stems and reduced rooting, interspersed with periods of heavy rain that loosens anchorage and destructive strong winds; all these factors exacerbate the risk of lodging issues.

“However, there will be instances with crops growing well, in good soil structures, where PGR requirement may be limited, or not needed at all,” he advised.

“InSpire has been validated to only give best use recommendations as and where the risk factors indicate PGR treatments are justified, to give yield returns or harvesting security.”

InSpire will also look at crop growth stages and application timing, to assess appropriate Moddus recommendations targeted to improve rooting and stem strength from earlier treatments where required - in combination with later applications of PGR to manage crop height.

“Some growers were reluctant to invest in PGR programmes last year, with small crops coming out of the winter and a late spring for growth,” recalled Mr Southgate (above).

“However, the warning signs of small root structures and wet soils pointed to the risk factors for bigger crops at harvest – which certainly became evident," he added.

“Making Moddus applications earlier in the spring will help to set crops up to better withstand stresses of weather influences later in the season and capable of delivering higher yields. Using InSpire will indicate where this can have the best potential results and keep crops standing.”    

The recommendations calculated by InSpire will be put into practice in trials on Syngenta Innovation Centres throughout the UK over the coming season, to further build the database of results for future years.

Follow the news of in-season updates and advice on Twitter at #InSpire or #StandingPower