Field day brings together Instituto Agris and Sipcam Nichino to disseminate powdery mildew management in wheat

Despite the frosts that hit crops last July, official forecasts indicate that the 2021 wheat harvest is expected to be a record. Experts expect a harvest of around 8,6 million tons of cereal. To discuss technological advances and the productivity of Brazilian wheat, with an emphasis on controlling diseases that have an unfavorable impact on the crop, such as powdery mildew, Sipcam Nichino Brasil and the Instituto Agris, from Passo Fundo (RS), organized in partnership the “Day of Field Management of Wheat Diseases”.

According to agricultural engineer José de Freitas, from the market development area at Sipcam Nichino, the incidence of powdery mildew has been aggressive and causing a high potential for damage, crop after crop of the cereal.

Faced with this central issue, the Passo Fundo Field Day, one of the main wheat producing centers in the country, brought together cereal producers, resellers and agricultural cooperatives, consultants and featured presentations by agronomist researchers Mateus Zanatta and Erlei Melo Reis. Recognized experts in the sector, the speakers reinforced that powdery mildew has been a difficult disease to control, and is considered, today, one of the main diseases in national triticulture, given the potential losses it causes to crops.

“Add to this scenario the fact that there are currently few fungicides effective in controlling powdery mildew and there is a clear idea of ​​the risks to the wheat farmer's productivity and harvest”, adds Freitas, from Sipcam Nichino. 

First and second applications 

The guest speakers and the Sipcam Nichino technical team also discussed the best technologies currently used in the management of wheat diseases. For Sipcam Nichino, agronomist Celso Andriolo highlighted tests and research that, according to him, position the company's Domark Excell fungicide as a solution to combat powdery mildew and other diseases in Brazilian wheat farming.

Andriolo revealed, at the time, that the Domark Excell fungicide has been growing in preference among wheat farmers, crop after crop, as it registers the highest indicators of powdery mildew control when compared to standard treatments. “Evidence points to the technology of this product as a cutting-edge, complete solution, in first and second applications, in the control of powdery mildew and rust”, adds José Freitas. According to him, in different productive regions, especially in the South, the application of the fungicide, in accordance with technical recommendations, reaches rates of around 90% to 100% effectiveness. “The product’s action prevents damage from the disease and keeps the wheat’s productive potential high.”

Freitas also emphasizes, on the other hand, that powdery mildew - a disease caused by the fungus Blumenia graminis -, if not controlled correctly, can cause yield losses equivalent to 60% of production. “During the harvest, the producer must dedicate himself to monitoring areas, especially in the face of climate conditions favorable to diseases”, recommends the agronomist.

“To be successful in controlling powdery mildew, in addition to choosing a good fungicide, application at the right time is also crucial: it must occur at the beginning of the first symptoms or even preventively, depending on the susceptibility of the cultivar”, concludes José de Freitas.