New crop protection technologies possible for oats and barley

Work is underway by the Ontario Cereal Research Council to test the potential impact of new crop protection technologies for oats and barley \>

The Council-led project is evaluating the effectiveness of newly available seed treatments and a foliar fungicide for oats and barley.

Listen to the audio interview with Quentin Martin of Cribit Seeds

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“There generally aren’t a lot of new technologies coming to market for oats and barley and it is important that information is available to growers of these crops,” says Quentin Martin of Cribit Seeds, the principal seed grower and processor involved in the project. “If these technologies are effective, they will help maximize yield for growers and improve the quality of harvested grain.”

How is the research being conducted?
Trial plots in the two-year project are spread across central Ontario to measure the effectiveness of the products in various geographic regions, climate zones and soil types. Approximately 250 plots are at each of the three trial locations: near Winterbourne northeast of Waterloo, near Conn in southeast Grey County, which has a shorter growing season, and in the Elmira – Listowel area, where clay soils are prevalent.

Crown rust is a significant threat to oats, which has limited genetic resistance against the disease. Barley is affected by several pathogens, including true loose smut. Fusarium can pose a threat to both crops.

What is the research showing?
“The plots that received both seed treatments and foliar application had a better chance of floating to the top of the yield charts,” says Martin of the project results to date. “In the two years we’ve been working with this, weather has definitely impacted us. Conditions in both 2011 and 2012 have meant less disease pressure, which makes it more challenging to measure product effectiveness and track the differences between treated and untreated plots.”

Timing is also important, says Martin, adding that part of the challenge with foliar applications is making sure the product is applied at just the right time for maximum effectiveness.
What impact could this technology have on oat and barley growers?

“We are doing yield testing on all of our plots to compare the different treatments we are evaluating,” says Martin. “If we can determine what works best, we will be moving forward with making recommendations to other authorized seed establishments, as well as providing that information to our growers.”

Where can I get more information?
Information will be available this fall on www.cribit.com, and on www.gocereals.ca, the website of the Ontario Cereal Crops Committee.

The Farm Innovation Program (FIP) was funded in part through Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of several Growing Forward programs in Ontario.