Yield losses using Terpal in Barley

[Goldilocks]

Historically have used high N inputs and comprehensive growth regulator programmes in winter Barley , targeting 10 t/ha malting barley crops. In last few seasons gut feel is that i am getting significant yield hits from the last terpal application ( last couple of seasons has coincided with hot spell in April ) Think i am also getting yield hits from the 0.5 l/ha that goes on the spring barley. None of this is based on any split field trials just gut feel. ( All terpal applics go on in best conditions , if over 20 degrees goes on late in evening after temp has dropped )
Comments please.

 

[An Gof]

Considering the weather we are currently enduring here in Cornwall I am reflecting that my decision to apply Terpal to my spring barley this year in spite of the dry spring was an inspired decision.

 

[ollie989898]

You have to weigh up the grief it gives the plant vs the lodging you are mitigating.

 

[Flat 10]

Would prefer to use slightly less N than use terpal....
Manage 9t/ha WB with only canopy/moddus/CCC

 

[DrWazzock]

Haven’t uses growth reg on barley for years. Just keep N below 140 kg / ha or less if higher soil index than 0. Always had decent yields and dry spring stress keeps it short anyway. Nothing would stop it going flat with this weather.
bit sceptical bout the glyphosate ripening malarkey as well. Greens didn’t kill fast enough to get on and save the ripe stuff in time.

 

[Spencer]

Would any growth reg help with 50mph winds at 30mm of rain though

 

[Sonoftheheir]

Terpal is my best friend on black fen soil. Only one application of N 120kg/Ha of product.

Have never thought of it as holding yield back. More yield would be lost here if flat and the pigeons get on it.

 

[T Hectares]

The PGR mantra goes along the lines of all PGR's will cause a yield hit in the absence of lodging, the lodging bit is always easy to assess in hindsight of course...

If you need PGR then you need it, but I prefer to avoid Terpal on WW as Chlormequat + moddus seems to suffice ( don't grow WB but always used Terpal when I did )

Conversely I normally use Terpal on SB but didn't feel the need this season and with hindsight that was the correct decision here this year, I did mitigate lodging and brackling by post em rolling, flat rate of K at stem extension and Xenium fungicide @ T2 which all worked well but thankfully 2/3rds of the barley was cut before the storms 2 weeks ago and finished before today's sh**e weather.

 

[robbie]

I've never used it but a relation has dropped it the last couple of years after using it religiously and he suspects it was costing him yield. Last year he used it on some of his barley and he thinks it cost him in the region of 1/2 ton/acre.

 

[BenB]

I find making decisions whether to Terpal crops or not one of the most challenging as an agronomist. There are a lot of variables to consider!

 

[T Hectares]

I find making decisions whether to Terpal crops or not one of the most challenging as an agronomist. There are a lot of variables to consider!

Theres nothing worse than being forced into needing Terpal and then the weather being unfavourable for spraying and awns rapidly emerging, a real testing time!!

 

[Hindsight]

Is Terpal (ethephon) that damaging? Where is the evidence. Not anecdotal but replicated trials.

 

[Gong Farmer]

Would any growth reg help with 50mph winds at 30mm of rain though

Possibly not. There's a 'window of benefit' from PGRs in the wide range of lodging pressure, too little and PGRs aren't needed (so yield effects can be detected), too much and nothing will keep it standing.

 

[teslacoils]

I don't like it.....but still use it. Especially in winter barley.

 

[7610 super q]

Never used growth reg. Doesn't fit in with my shoestring approach. Never troubled by lodging, but brackling.......
Rookie question.....does growth reg inhibit brackling ?
Every year turns into an August floor scraper. And it simply won't wait till September ( even if we get a decent September )
Thinking of switching to SW, as it seems to withstand the monsoon better.
I used to think of August as a summer month...

Sorry, rambling now.....

 

[ollie989898]

Never used growth reg. Doesn't fit in with my shoestring approach. Never troubled by lodging, but brackling.......
Rookie question.....does growth reg inhibit brackling ?
Every year turns into an August floor scraper. And it simply won't wait till September ( even if we get a decent September )
Thinking of switching to SW, as it seems to withstand the monsoon better.
I used to think of August as a summer month...

Sorry, rambling now.....

Nothing wrong with spring wheat, ripens a bit later. The old hands will warn you about ergot but I have never seen it in the bits I used to grow. Might be different in a big arable region though. Needs to be drilled by the middle of March though really. Can get very leggy in the right season.

 

[teslacoils]

Also, seem to get loads of mildew in spring wheat.

 

[ollie989898]

Basically, you won't find a can of PGR anywhere without a warning on the label telling you to avoid spraying a crop stressed by waterlogging, drought or whatever. The biggest question for me always was is it going to be a dry time after application? The one time I didn't use the later PGRs was the summer it absolutely hammered with wind and rain and the crop of beautiful winter barley started to go down. It was a surprise to me as the stuff was surrounded by trees on all sides but hey ho. Luckily the crop didn't go totally flat but was so thick the stuff sort of bent and buckled but you could still get a combine under it. I did tend to hit barley with moddus + 3C earlier on, in fact I remember receiving an earful for using 3C at some very early growth stage but it was on land that had been walloped with unknown quantities of pig muck and the barley promptly did about 3.5t+ with absolutely zero bagged N.

 

[Spencer]

Possibly not. There's a 'window of benefit' from PGRs in the wide range of lodging pressure, too little and PGRs aren't needed (so yield effects can be detected), too much and nothing will keep it standing.

No I know... todays just cropping ruining weather, plain and simple!

 

[ollie989898]

Also, seem to get loads of mildew in spring wheat.

Yes, that too. Needs watching for. Mildew in the ear is a sorry sight.