To assess the efficacy of foliar fungicide application prior to stem extension for control of yellow spot or stagonospora nodorum in wheat in low rainfall zones.

Initially there was disease evident at the site (14% on top 4 leaves at Z22) . The disease was found to predominantly yellow spot, with some septoria nodorum blotch also present (75:25). The disease continued to progress up the canopy and there were significant differences between fungicide treatments when disease was assessed at Z22, Z39 and Z65. There were no statistically significant yield differences, probably due to the dry spring, only approximately 60 mm of rain fell in the 8 weeks after flag leaf emergence. Average yield was 1.1 t/ha. Previous DAFWA research has found that at least 80 mm of rain needs to fall in this period for a Z39 flag leaf fungicide application to be profitable. While there were no significant yield impacts from the fungicide treatments there were significant grain quality results (see Table in attached document). The double spray strategy of applying fungicide at Z22 and Z39 gave the best disease control throughout the season. It, along with the Z39 spray on its own, were the best treatments for high hectolitre weight and lowest screenings.